I doubt Gute drafts a LB.
We're stuck with them.

bring back Wilson

I'd resign both for a touch above league minimum. Both had good games(Wilson had an incredible game) and bad games but their drawbacks are different and sort of compliment each other.

The only LB type I'd draft is a two down plugger late in the draft. A bigger guy that could play MLB for ⅓ of the snaps.

What we really need to do is develop Hopper into a solid rotational piece and take advantage of his athleticism on passing downs to cover receivers and TEs. We have two new faces on the defensive staff that can coach linebackers, so they'll need to get to work right away. You just hope he's not on the Oren Burks trajectory where he turns in his best work for another team seven years later....

We carry 5 on the active roster, 6 on the 53.

We have Cooper, Walker, and Hopper under contract.

I'd like to bring both McDuffie and Wilson back. Veterans, familiar with the team, familiar with the scheme.

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I did a little digging on these guys. Wilson will be 31 and his market value is less than two million. He was #7 on the team as he got in on 72 tackles. He played over 500 snaps on defense and a team high 321 special teams snaps. IOW, he was on the field for us quite a bit. One of our main defenders.

McDuffie is 5 years younger, but also more than twice as expensive, with a market value of almost $5M. He played 64% of the defensive snaps, and another 125 on special teams. Again, this is one of our main defenders.

How many holes do you want to try to have to fill? For $7M, we could maybe get both of these guys back. For another $4M , $11M total, we could keep slaton.

We have the money to keep these guys, and we should try to do it, IMO. We suit up 21 defensive guys. If we don't keep these guys, we might have to replace Stokes, Slaton, Mcduffie, Wilson, ....that's four holes in our Top 21 right there. Just on defense. If we bring them back, there's only 1 hole, at starting CB.

On offense, we're looking at replacing Watson and Myers. This is only 3 holes on the 45 man roster to fill, which should leave us resources to upgrade some other areas, like the backup Oline.

If we want to get a guy in FA who would make a big impact, like McKinney did, we could probably get a starting caliber CB in FA for about $15M, and a veteran Olineman for about $8M. That's $23M Add t h at onto the $11M you spent on defense and we're at $34M....which is pretty much what we've got to spend.

Then we can draft guys we want, not guys we need.

Yes, but at the right price. Some have argued that they take away snaps from the younger draft picks. That’s true . Yet these two low cost vets are valuable on ST’s and as back of the roster fill ins.

What Wilson and McDuffie cannot do well is pass coverage. If the Packers D is to continue their improvement - better coverage LBs will be necessary. Cooper and Walker appear to fit the bill for now - but 1-2 others will be needed for depth and potential upgrade purposes. Perhaps Hopper is one but another coverage LB should be on Gutekunst's shopping list. Personally, I am intrigued with Jihaad Campbell. Whatever - it does not augur well if Wilson and McDuffie are your 3rd and 4th LBs for the next season.

McDuffie is too big a liability in coverage. Would bring Wilson back for the min or close to it.
Two possible day 3 guys are Simon and Higgins. Both are good tacklers and above average on coverage.

I don't think they will do it, but I'd be very happy if the Packers picked Jihaad Campbell with their first pick. Here's why: 1. Campbell is better than Cooper or Walker in coverage 2. Campbell has been one of the best blitzers in college football. 3. Campbell played against top-notch competition 4. Campbell is the epitome of a big-play-maker 5, Campbell looks a LOT like Cooper in his play, only he's better in coverage.

With a Cooper, Campbell, Walker trio you wouldn't need a nickel back, so your run defense improves, AND you add another great pass rusher. With athletic linemen who can drop, like Gary, VanNess and Wyatt and probably a new guy, you can rush any four of the seven.

I like both players. The reality is, one likely goes and the other stays. For me, Wilson provides a little more on special teams, and versatility to fill multiple LB roles. Yet, I do like that downhill, fill the gap attitude of McDuffie on run plays. My guess is that the Packers will look to draft a LB on day 3, preferably a rangy, MIKE.

You need one of them as a backup in the likelihood of injury. Walker has been hurt a lot so whoever they sign is likely to get significant playing time.

The Packers can re-sign Wilson to a veteran's minimum deal. They should do so not only for his ability as a back-up MLB, but also for his value on special teams. Let McDuffie sign elsewhere as he'll probably get 5-6 million per year, money that can better spent .Use a 3rd day pick on a developmental depth piece. Hopper can take over as the 3rd starter at strong side LB.