The search is over. The Packers handed the keys to Caleb Williams, and the whole operation now runs on his development. They moved the roster forward and banked a B for it.
Reaching for Taylor left real value on the table behind him. Getting Williams where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. The Smith pick reads as want over need, and the roster will feel it at edge rusher, wide receiver and other spots.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through edge rusher.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.25
· Pick 25
· Caleb Williams
· QB
· rank 2
In Round 1, Pick 25 they get a passer to set the clock by, and a steal at that. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Jackson Powers-Johnson
· C
· rank 29
Nice patience on Jackson Powers-Johnson, who had no business lasting to pick No. 41. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R2.26
· Pick 58
· Jordan Morgan
· OT
· rank 35
They will replay Jordan Morgan at the 58th pick for years; that is how good the value is. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
· S
· rank 83
Good price on Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the 88th overall pick, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. It adds depth where they could use a little.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Trey Benson
· RB
· rank 96
They took Trey Benson at par in pick 91, which is nothing to complain about. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R4.27
· Pick 127
· Tykee Smith
· S
· rank 147
A want over a need in slot 127: Tykee Smith adds a safety while edge rusher, wide receiver and other spots keeps waiting.
R5.32
· Pick 168
· Jarrian Jones
· CB
· rank 149
You do not let a cornerback like Jarrian Jones reach No. 168 and blink. They did not. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R6.29
· Pick 204
· Jaylan Ford
· LB
· rank 196
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Jaylan Ford in the Round 6 slot. A minor need, but a need all the same.
R6.41
· Pick 216
· Tanor Bortolini
· C
· rank 217
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Tanor Bortolini. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
R7.23
· Pick 243
· Kenny Logan Jr.
· S
· rank 251
Kenny Logan Jr. at No. 243 jumps the queue by a touch more than is comfortable. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
R7.31
· Pick 251
· Trey Taylor
· S
· rank 297
They left a pile of value on the table to take Trey Taylor this early at pick No. 251. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.