Talking about the Center position, I believe the perfect draft pick at 84 (if he is still there), is Connor Lew. Potentially the best Center available this year, but recovering from an ACL suffered in October.

The Packers are in the position where they have paid Rhyan to be the Center, so there is no need to rush Connor Lew back into action, but have him ready later in the season to be the long-term starter.

Also, regarding a NT, if Lee Hunter or even better Christen Miller are still on the draft board around pick 45 or so, move up (from 52) and grab them. If it costs the Packers own 2nd, one of the 4ths next year and a 7th this year - just do it.

All I keep hearing from the fan base these days is 'draft starters', and 'don't draft projects/developmental players.' Then they say kooky things like: draft a CB in round 2 no matter what. Draft a DT. But I find myself asking the question: at what position are they going to draft a surefire starter in round 2?...or round 3?

Who is going to walk in and jump to the top of the depth chart? Maybe a CB? Aside from that? Every player is a projection, and if you're drafting banking on guys to elevate your team into contender status this season, then you're not really a contender.

Draft with a plan (actually, several possible plans).
Be opportunistic. Stockpile talent.
Fill around your picks with FA.
Hope for health and let the chips fall.

I think there are different mindsets that GMs have as their teams evolve. GB is typically draft & develop with 3 year windows. As the core matures and starts performing to levels expected, enter into second contracts, etc., maybe the mindset shifts into more of a plug & play mode. Less traits, more "what can you do today? We need help here, now,"

Edgerrin Cooper was a gift from the football gods in R2, Pick #45 in the 2024 draft. Instant starter. Evan Williams was a gift from the football gods to the Packers that same year at Pick #111 in R4. Instant starter. Javon Bullard's impact (R2 Pick #58) much the same by season's end that year.

Tucker Kraft became an instant starter from the 2023 draft in R3 Pick #78. In 2022, Zach Tom became the instant starter from R4 with Pick #140. Jayden Reed from R2... etc. etc.

"Instant starter," isn't a pipe dream. It's more often than not a collision of opportunity and a well selected player at a position born out of necessity.

I'm guessing the immediacy of getting your team over the hump into true Super Bowl contention as the young team assembled becomes hot often results in a change in how any GM will approach one particular draft vs. another.

We're going to have instant starters, hopefully, at NT and CB, possibly C too. Who knows? Once the players are in, nearly all of the positions are open to competition.

No one knows when we see the healthy return of both Parsons and Kraft. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see a new "instant starter," from this 2026 draft class at DE and TE. Imagine the impact of drafting a high production DE and TE from this draft, and what that could mean when both Parsons and Kraft return to the team healthy and ready to rock.

DE depth in Gannon's D scheme is definitely a thing. So is 13 Personnel in LaFleur's O.

I cannot wait to see a continuous rotation onslaught of high quality, LIGHTS-OUT pass rushers destroying Packer opponents. Again.

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Hat's off to Tyler. Live your dream.