You can fall in love with a player. You are not supposed to marry him in the wrong round. The Packers did exactly that with Al Blades Jr. in Round 7, Pick 26.
They will answer for taking safety early while quarterback, wide receiver and other spots went begging. For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. The Beebe pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.25
· Pick 25
· Chop Robinson
· DE-EDGE
· rank 38
In No. 25 they get a bendy edge with upside, even if it was a touch early. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R2.9
· Pick 41
· Calen Bullock
· S
· rank 49
They paid a round early for Calen Bullock in the 41st pick, more than the board wanted. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
R2.25
· Pick 57
· Junior Colson
· LB
· rank 76
This one needs a full-page explanation: Junior Colson in Round 2, Pick 25, miles early. It adds depth where they could use a little.
R3.25
· Pick 88
· Cooper Beebe
· OG
· rank 78
Cooper Beebe slid further than he should have, and the Round 3 slot is lovely value for the offensive lineman. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R3.28
· Pick 91
· Mike Sainristil
· CB
· rank 83
Mike Sainristil slipping to pick 91 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R4.25
· Pick 125
· Will Shipley
· RB
· rank 129
No edge and no loss on Will Shipley in the 125th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R4.35
· Pick 135
· James Williams
· S
· rank 130
Hard to square with the roster. With positions of obvious need still on the board, James Williams adds a safety and leaves quarterback, wide receiver and other spots untouched.
R6.28
· Pick 203
· Darius Muasau
· LB
· rank 215
Darius Muasau at pick 203 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
R6.42
· Pick 217
· Jase McClellan
· RB
· rank 209
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Jase McClellan at the 217th overall pick. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R6.44
· Pick 219
· Zion Logue
· DL
· rank 241
Zion Logue in the 219th pick is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
R7.26
· Pick 246
· Al Blades Jr.
· CB
· rank 291
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Al Blades Jr.. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.