Packers’ 2016 draft telling upon review

fpadmin | 04/17/2017

Are you ready for some football?!

Game tickets and packages for the 2017 season available later this week! Sign up to our mailing list and we’ll let you know as soon as they’re available!
» 2017 Preview

By CHRIS HAVEL

Green Bay GM Ted Thompson’s moves last year must be impactive this year

The Packers’ draft-and-develop philosophy receives its keenest scrutiny this time of year.
With the 2017 NFL draft just 10 days away, it’s interesting to look back at what last year’s draft produced.
Going into it, the NFL’s scouts and media experts essentially nailed the Packers’ position of need: Defensive front seven, and in particular the defensive line.
Andrew Billings, the Baylor nose tackle, was the popular choice. The reason was because of B.J. Raji’s decision to retire.
Everyone from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks to Yahoo.com’s Eric Edholm had the Packers’ Ted Thompson selecting a defensive tackle. Billings appeared to be the consensus pick, if he was available, but that wasn’t Thompson’s preference.
Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler and Alabama defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed also were frequently linked to the Packers.
It turns out the Packers’ GM went with UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark. His selection came as a mild surprise but not totally unexpected. In fact, I mentioned Clark on several occasions leading up to last year’s draft.
I felt strongly at the time that the Packers’ defensive line needed an infusion of youth and talent. It turns out Clark, who just turned 21, provided both. After a strong training camp, Clark got off to a strong start, then hit a plateau d and even disappeared a bit in November, but managed to re-emerge for a solid stretch run.
Where would the Packers’ defense be without Clark? They’d be in serious trouble, especially with Letroy Guion awaiting a four-game suspension to start the season. Clark’s development occurred under the radar, whereas Blake Martinez’s was more in the media.
Martinez proved to be what the experts predicted. He was billed as a smart, instinctive player who has possessed leadership skills. Scouts also thought he lacked top-end speed and agility, the type of skills that set apart the average from something much better.
Still, Martinez validated Thompson’s pick by being able to contribute as a rookie. His prospectus for this season is on the rise.
For my part, I’m really curious to see what Kyler Fackrell will bring to the table in his second season. Fackrell, who was coming off an ACL injury from the 2014 opener, didn’t appear to be impeded at all. However, he needs to add considerable strength this offseason.
As a third-round pick, he possessed the size (6-5, 245, and speed – a 4.65 40-yard dash – to be an impactful pass rusher. I suspect the Packers will groom Fackrell to line up on the depth chart behind Clay Matthews, while Jayrone Elliott will be behind Nick Perry on the other side.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the depth chart if Thompson goes with an edge pass rusher at No. 29. That could be a possibility with possible choices such as Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, who would be a slam-dunk decision for me at No. 29.
Watt, who is raw, bears a strong resemblance to Matthews when he came out of college. Watt has strong family lines, a raw-bone, rangy build that can become more powerful and great instincts.
Furthermore, I’d be tempted to double down at linebacker and select Wisconsin’s Vince Biegel, an in-state product who would be a terrific addition in the late-third or fourth round.
The closer the draft gets the more I believe Thompson will choose between a cornerback or edge pass rusher with an interior defensive lineman a distant third choice.Watt would fill the bill.
Meantime, the Packers need to expect and get a lot out of Clark, Fackrell and Martinez this season. For some reason, Fackrell has gone under the radar thus far. That is going to change going into the mini-camps and OTAs.
Third round picks are valuable. That is prize real estate under the Thompson regime. Fackrell, like Clark and Martinez, has room to grow.
It’s up to head coach Mike McCarthy’s staff to develop him and make it happen.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

"

Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
"

-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly

Are you ready for some football?!

Green Bay GM Ted Thompson’s moves last year must be impactive this year

Subscribe to our Newsletter!