If you want a masterclass in dealing, watch the Packers, who turned every swap into a profit this weekend. No fireworks, but a solid B.
The quarterback spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. It is not that Bishop is a bad player; it is that the Packers had louder needs to answer first.
They will need Benson to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. On the needs board they went 6 of 8, with edge rusher the one that mattered most.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but quarterback.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.28
· Pick 28
· Cooper DeJean
· CB
· rank 26
In the 28th overall pick they get a ballhawk on the outside. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R2.5
· Pick 37
· Darius Robinson
· DL-EDGE
· rank 39
They took Darius Robinson at par in the 37th pick, which is nothing to complain about. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R2.10
· Pick 42
· Javon Bullard
· S
· rank 42
Javon Bullard at pick 42 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
R2.17
· Pick 49
· Junior Colson
· LB
· rank 52
No edge and no loss on Junior Colson in pick No. 49; it is a wash and a sensible one. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
R2.19
· Pick 51
· T.J. Tampa
· CB
· rank 51
No drama and no debate, T.J. Tampa went about where he belonged in slot 51. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R2.20
· Pick 52
· Kingsley Suamataia
· OT
· rank 61
Kingsley Suamataia at No. 52 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
R2.21
· Pick 53
· Zach Frazier
· C
· rank 62
Zach Frazier in Round 2, Pick 21 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. A need, and now a little less of one.
R3.6
· Pick 70
· Patrick Paul
· OT
· rank 69
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Patrick Paul. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
R3.9
· Pick 73
· Trey Benson
· RB
· rank 87
Trey Benson at slot 73 jumps the queue by a touch more than is comfortable. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R4.5
· Pick 105
· Cole Bishop
· S
· rank 104
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Cole Bishop at safety with quarterback and tight end open.
R4.6
· Pick 106
· Braelon Allen
· RB
· rank 106
Braelon Allen in No. 106 is fair value, right on his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R4.7
· Pick 107
· Maason Smith
· DT
· rank 111
Maason Smith at the 107th overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
R4.21
· Pick 121
· Johnny Wilson
· WR
· rank 125
A straight-up fair deal on Johnny Wilson at the Round 4 slot, value and slot in agreement. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.