Packers Offseason Mailbag: Rookie wideouts, pass rush talk, & past drafts

The Packers just finished up their minicamp and are now on hiatus until July rolls around. So we’ll make due on the content with more mailbag questions! As always, submit them on the Twitter-sphere @acmepackingco or just use the hashtag #AskAPC.

Today, we talk past draft classes, speculate who makes the final roster, and who may benefit from getting more chances on defense.

Let’s open some mail.

For the draft picks I was excited about, I have to go back to 2007. While that draft yielded the Packers James Jones in the third round and Mason Crosby in the 6th, I was really hyped for Justin Harrell, Brandon Jackson and Desmond Bishop. Harrell was a large 300-pound defensive tackle that would’ve added great depth with Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams and I always loved the energy Bishop brought when he subbed in for Nick Barnett.

As for Jackson, I genuinely thought he was next up after Ahman Green left for Houston. Both were former Nebraska Cornhuskers and had experience running track and field. Unfortunately for Jackson, the Packers traded for a young back by the name of Ryan Grant. Grant would eventually take over for the remaining 10 games in the ‘07 season.

I have to admit that I was super out on the Kenny Clark pick when it happened. Still spurned by the Datone Jones pick, Nick Perry had yet to blossom, and I think I was still salty about Justin Harrell. Just a tiny bit. It may be too early to judge Clark as “great,” but he’s definitely already exceeded expectations and will be a player to watch in 2018.

This is a tough a question because the Packers had an absurd number of draft picks this year. Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson are my best bets, of course. Then, Oren Burks, Cole Madison, JK Scott, and Hunter Bradley. Then I would venture to guess at least two of the three wide receivers they drafted. That brings the total to 8, which may seem a bit high because the Packers have a knack for finding solid role players from various sources.

I like Equanimeous St. Brown and J’Mon Moore to make the team. As the Packers proved last year, they don’t care what round you were drafted, but I think those two are the more complete prospects.

Chance Hernandez on Facebook asks: Are Vince Biegel and Kyler Fackrell going to contribute more in the pass rush this year?

Biegel should look to contribute more to the pass rush this year just by virtue of actually being healthy. He worked with Clay Matthews over the offseason and he looked the part in minicamp. The kid looked big and healthy. It would be essential to the Packers having a potent pass rush if Biegel could come in relief for Matthews or Nick Perry. Biegel should be able to be more effective than Ahmad Brooks was last year.

The Packers waited until pretty late in the 2018 draft to grab a pass rusher so that might suggest that they’re pretty comfortable with who they have on the roster. Whether Fackrell or Reggie Gilbert steps up alongside Biegel as the primary backups remains to be seen. Fackrell is a speed rusher, primarily, but we haven’t seen him be very effective in the two seasons he’s been with the team. Under a new defensive coordinator, though, I’m not writing off any defensive player just yet. Capers’ defense didn’t always put players in the best position to succeed so we’ll see if this changes under Pettine and helps players reach their potential.