Green Bay Packers: Checking out the ‘experts’ draft grades
By Jamie Wright
Sports Illustrated grades the Packers
Nov 22, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Wes Brown (4) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jake Ryan (47) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Maryland won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sports Illustrated: B+
Only seven of the 32 franchises got a higher grade than the Packers.
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SI found it very intriguing that the Packers traded away a seventh round pick to move up in the fifth round for UCLA QB Brett Hundley.
The authors questioned if Hundley could possibly be the “ultimate backup for Aaron Rodgers.”
When Rodgers was drafted in the first round in 2005, Brett Favre was coming off of a 4,000-plus-yard passing, 39-touchdown season.
Experts and fans alike were wondering what about Favre’s performance warranted a quarterback being taken so high in the draft.
Was Rodgers the replacement? Was Favre officially on notice?
For the Packers, quarterbacks aren’t “foot to the fire” guys. The Packers aren’t going to be in a place where the Andrew Lucks of the world fall into their laps with the #1 overall pick, ready to start and lead a franchise from day one.
Draft success and development programs in Green Bay will keep the Packers near the top of the class each and every year. No, the next Andrew Luck will not fall to the Packers.
Even so, it isn’t the way of the team to draft that way. Mike McCarthy and Tom Clements are “QB whisperers” and run an offseason QB school that is renowned.
Having Rodgers sit behind Favre for three years was beneficial in ways in which guys like Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will never experience. True, Rodgers is much younger than was Favre – but the Packers saw a “steal” talent in Hundley that they thought was worth moving up.
That is worth noting.
Next: CBS Sports grade