Thursday Cheese Curds: Packers veterans still have important roles

You may not have heard, but the Packers have a ton of draft picks they’re set to spend a week from today. Thanks to Davante Adams’ exit, Brian Gutekunst heads into Thursday’s annual player selection event armed with four picks in the first two rounds, and whether he trades any of his picks or not, it’s safe to say the Packers will be adding a fair bit of young talent.

The face of the team is changing. Mainstays like Adams, Za’Darius Smith, and Billy Turner are gone, and they’ll need to be replaced by some of those draft picks. But those veteran departures can’t be entirely replaced by youngsters. Existing veterans will still have to play big roles with the team, and they’re likely even more valuable because some of their older fellows are in other cities.

No doubt, the Packers impending draft targets will be a big part of 2022 and beyond. But the elder voices in the locker room still have something to say about what happens on this team.

Amidst extensive change, Randall Cobb again a leader and mainstay for Packers | Packers.com

Randall Cobb was at one point among the very youngest players in the entire NFL, standing out even among rookies as the first player born in the 1990s to appear in an NFL game. And even though 1990 is uncomfortably long ago, Cobb says he’s still ready to contribute.

Trust unlocked De’Vondre Campbell’s All-Pro potential with Packers | Packers Wire

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Travon Walker and the Case for the Combine | Football Outsiders

Football Outsiders’ combined athleticism and production data paints an interesting picture

NFL mock draft 2022 with all trades: Bill Barnwell proposes deals for all 32 picks, with swaps for Kyler Murray, DK Metcalf, Jimmy Garoppolo | ESPN

Barnwell’s annual all-trades mock draft offers some interesting possibilities for Packers-related trades. The real takeaway? There are a lot of teams with some hefty draft capital available, and if they start spending there’s no telling what could happen.

Deebo Samuel landing spots: Five possible destinations for 49ers All-Pro receiver after reported trade request | CBS Sports

Is a wide receiver you’ve heard of available for trade? You’d better believe someone is going to connect him to the Packers.

National High Five Day began on the University of Virginia campus in 2002 | UPI

It’s National High Five Day, but I’m not sure how to celebrate it.