Tag Archives: Green Bay Packers

Best NFL Bets for Week 8

The weekend is finally here, which means it is time to place your NFL bets! Last week, we went 1-2 for the fifth straight week. We got burned by a fourth quarter offensive explosion in New England, and a second-half offensive freeze-up from the Cardinals. That brings us to a paltry 8-12-1 on the season for the NFL portion of our Best Bets series. In terms of units, we only dropped 0.76 for the weekend, which puts us down 1.58 units on the year.

We aren’t too far gone yet. Getting back to positive is still within striking distance. This week’s match-ups look pretty ugly, but it all pays out just the same. All lines come via Draft Kings as of Friday evening. Also, be sure to catch my, and my fellow ATB bettors’, locks and underdogs of the week on Around The Book. Let’s get started and dive into the best NFL bets for Week 8!

Texans at Panthers: Panthers ML (+145)

Let’s kick things off with a (mildly) hot take. This is finally going to be the week in which the Panthers get their first win of the season. It won’t be easy. The Texans are better than expected this year. However, there is reason to believe Carolina can get it done.

As well as Houston is playing this year, this is still very much a rebuilding team. They don’t have a ton of high-level talent, and their rookie quarterback is still developing. There are no easy wins for a team in their position.

The Panthers are in a very similar boat. While they haven’t played quite as well as the Texans, it feels like that win is right around the corner. This pick is rooted more in vibes than data, but sometimes that’s what you need.

Vikings at Packers: Over 42 (-108)

We are switching it up this week and betting on the over. While this NFC North match-up may be ugly, it has significant potential for points. The Vikings have an offense that can put up points and a defense that struggles to stop anyone. On the flip side, Green Bay is average to below-average on both sides of the ball.

Minnesota should have no problem scoring against the Packers. Also, Green Bay should be able to score more than usual against a weak Vikings defense. It doesn’t hurt that we get the added chaos of a divisional matchup.

The most advantageous part of this pick is the line. At 42, it is clear the bookies are trying to adjust to all the low-scoring games we’ve seen this year. This is the time to pounce. Expect both of these teams to be somewhere in the mid 20s. The over may not hit by a lot, but it will get there. That is all that matters.

Chargers at Bears: Over 46.5 (-110)

Let’s keep the over bets going with some Sunday night fireworks. Both of these teams can score, and neither play great defense. Also, it seems as though the Bears offense hasn’t missed a beat with Tyson Bagent at quarterback in place of the injured Justin Fields.

Offensively, the Bears and Chargers combine to average a little over 46 points per game. That doesn’t look great for the over, but it gets a lot better when you look at the defenses. On that side of the ball, these two teams give up over 52 points per game combined.

It is hard to say who will win this game, but we know there will be plenty of scoring. This game will likely be a race to 30 points. Hammer the over.

Week 8 NFL Best Bets Recap

Panthers ML (+145)
Vikings @ Packers: Over 42 (-108)
Chargers @ Bears: Over 46.5 (-110)
Parlay odds: +800

2024 NFL Draft: Replacement Starters for the Green Bay Packers

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As we all know, the Green Bay Packers are a team that builds through the NFL draft. Since Brian Gutekunst has taken over as GM, he has sprinkled in some free agent signings, but the Packers cap situation isn’t great next season. There is space, just not a lot. So, let’s take a look at some potential openings within the current Packers starters that could be filled by prospects from the 2024 NFL draft. We will just list players projected to be early round picks.

Let’s start with the offense, and as always, don’t forget to check out my other writings and my database, which is updated daily.

Potential New Packers Starters from the 2024 NFL Draft: Offense

Center:

Josh Myers has struggled for the third season in a row. Unless he turns it around this season, he will probably be replaced in the offseason. Matt LaFleur could move Zach Tom there, but seems reluctant to. They could try Myers out at guard, but that’s for another discussion.

Photo Credit: Lauren Sopourn/Getty Images

Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia
Matthew Lee – Miami
Sincere Haynesworth – Tulane
Beaux Limmer – Arkansas
Graham Barton – Duke

Right Guard:

Jon Runyan Jr. is probably on his way out. He didn’t play great last year, and he has been worse this season. He’s a free agent and I don’t expect them to re-sign him. They could give Sean Rhyan a shot, but they have yet to do that.

Photo Credit: Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cooper Beebe – Kansas State
Christian Haynes – UConn
Doug Nester – West Virginia
Tate Ratledge – Georgia
Donovan Jackson – Ohio State

Left Tackle:

David Bakhtiari’s cap hit for 2024 is way too high, especially for a guy who will be over 30, with four surgeries to the same knee since 2020. His knee won’t hold up, and there is no point in keeping him on a rebuilding roster. Rasheed Walker has been okay, but not good enough for the Packers to not turn to the 2024 NFL draft for a starter.

Credit: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Olumuyiwa Fashanu – Penn State
Joe Alt – Notre Dame
Patrick Paul – Houston
Kingsley Suamatala – BYU
Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma
Jordan Morgan – Arizona
Delmar Glaze – Maryland

Running Back:

There is a very real possibility that AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones are both gone this offseason. Dillion because he’s not a good fit for the offense — and his streaky play — and Jones because of his contract, injury history, and age. Emmanuel Wilson is obviously not the answer, but who is?

Photo Credit: Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Trey Benson – Florida State
Rasheen Ali – Marshall
Audric Estime – Notre Dame
Devin Neal – Kansas
MarShawn Lloyd – USC
Jonathon Brooks – Texas

Potential New Packers Starters from the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Linebacker:

De’Vondre Campbell is in a similar situation to Aaron Jones; Age, injury, and contract status could have the Packers moving on from him in the offseason. Quay Walker seems to have taken a step in 2023. None of the other linebackers on the roster are talented enough to be full-time starters.

Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
Marlowe Wax – Syracuse
Junior Colson – Michigan
Tyrice Knight – UTEP
Cedric Gray – UNC

Safety:

I don’t think much needs to be said here. We all know about the Packers issues at safety. They have just two safeties under contract for 2024. They will probably need two new starters.

Credit: Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Rod Moore – Michigan
Tyler Nubin – Minnesota
Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
Beau Brade – Maryland
Lathan Ransom – Ohio State

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

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Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.

This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Defensive line:

Credit: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.

Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
Leonard Taylor – Miami
DeWayne Carter – Duke
Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
Kris Jenkins – Michigan
Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
Maason Smith – LSU
J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
Alfred Collins – Texas
Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
John Tuitupou – Hawaii

Edge Rusher:

Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.

J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
Laiatu Latu – UCLA
Bralen Trice – Washington
Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
Jordan Burch – Oregon
Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
Deontae Craig – Iowa
Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
RJ Oben – Duke
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
Jack Sullivan – USC
Van Fillinger – Utah
Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison

Linebackers:

Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.

Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
Junior Colson – Michigan
Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
Jackson Sirmon – Cal
Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
Travion Brown – ASU
Dallas Gant – Toledo
Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
Steele Chambers – Ohio State
Ben Bywater – BYU
Jamoi Hodge – TCU
Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
Easton Gibbs – Wyoming

Cornerbacks:

This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?

Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
Shyheim Battle – NC State
T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
Cam Hart – Notre Dame
Duce Chestnut – LSU
Jahdae Barron – Texas
DJ James – Auburn
Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
Denzel Burke – Ohio State
Trey Amos – Alabama
Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
Max Melton – Rutgers
Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
Alex Hogan – Houston
Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
Storm Duck – Louisville
Noah Avinger – SDSU
Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
Micah Abraham – Marshall
Daquan Evans – USF

Safeties:

This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.

Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
Calen Bullock – USC
LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
Rod Moore – Michigan
Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
Patrick McMorris – Cal
Beau Brade – Maryland
MJ Griffin – Louisville
Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
Bud Clark – TCU
Dez Malone – San Diego State
Morice Norris – Fresno State
R.J. Mickens – Clemson
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
Kenny Logan – Kansas
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
Evan Williams – Oregon
Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
Jack Howell – Colorado State
Ayden Hector – Colorado State

As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.

Final 53-Man Packers Roster Prediction

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It is now time for my final 53-man Packers roster prediction. The Packers have said they will announce their “final” roster on Tuesday, so I am putting this out on Monday to “call my shot”.

It has been an interesting training camp for sure. It has seemed as if most of the roster spots have been locked up for awhile, and it has really come down to how many players do you want to keep at each positions. Do you keep nine or ten offensive linemen? Do you keep five wide receivers? or six? or seven? How many linebackers? etc…

I think this will be a fluid roster throughout the season; but here is my best guess at the Packers initial 53-man roster:

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offense

Quarterbacks: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

This position is pretty easy to project; nothing much else to say here.

Running backs: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

Some have suggested they keep two since they kept only two on the initial roster last year, but I think that was due to them expecting Kylin Hill back soon. Taylor brings every skill set to the field the front office has said they want out of a #3 running back.

Wide Receivers: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Grant DuBose

There have been some suggesting keeping seven. I just can’t see that happening. Head coach Matt LaFleur barely uses four receiver sets, and uses a lot of 12 personnel. That would mean two receivers would be inactive every game. Samouri Toure has been the least impressive. He hasn’t taken the second-year leap that was expected. I could see them trading him. DuBose has flashed and Heath has been too good to cut.

Tight End/H-Back: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Austin Allen, Josiah Deguara

I think Allen is essentially the 53rd player on the roster, because he may not be on the roster for long if someone is cut they feel might be better.

Offensive line: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom, Yosh Nijman, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones

Cutting Royce Newman does leave Green Bay a bit light at guard, but of course Tom can play guard as well. If they want to keep that depth, expect Jones to be replaced by Newman.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Defense

Defensive line: Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden

I know Jonathan Ford has shown a couple flashes in camp and preseason, but I don’t think it’s enough to keep a player who would essentially be the third nose tackle.

Edge Rushers: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Justin Hollins, Brenton Cox

I personally would think Cox could make it to the practice squad, but it seems Green Bay doesn’t. I could see a point in the season, if there are a number of injuries at another position, that he is the one cut.

Linebacker: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter was the only question mark here. Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia’s influence on the roster, I think, causes them to keep him.

Cornerback: Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine

There’s not much to say here. I think Ballentine makes it due to his special teams play, and that he’s an okay corner.

Safety: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt, Anthony Johnson

I would like to see them keep Jonathan Owens around because he provides another veteran to a pretty meh group. However, he didn’t do enough, I feel, for the Packers to want to keep a sixth safety. Personally, I would cut Leavitt since Ford and Moore are good special teams players, but I don’t think they do it.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Special Teams

Punter: Daniel Whelan; Long Snapper: Matthew Orzech; Kicker: Anders Carlson

I would have brought in competition for Carlson. He probably needs a year on the practice squad.

As always you can read anything I’ve written on the Packers or the draft here.

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Offense

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As most Packers fans know, the Packers’ front office has certain thresholds they tend to hold to when it comes to draft prospects. This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds.

With this season being such a mystery the list will be longer than usual; although I will not be including players like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Quarterbacks:

I really doubt Jordan Love will be so bad that they give up on him after one year, but there is a chance the Packers look to the 2024 NFL draft for a developmental guy. Some guys to look for include:

Tyler Van Dyke – Miami
Jeff Sims – Nebraska
KJ Jefferson – Arkansas
Grayson McCall – Costal Carolina
D.J. Uiagalelei – Oregon State
Michael Pratt – Tulane

Running backs:

Now this is definitely a position that will need some draft capital invested in. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are both free agents after this season, and the only other running back on contract past 2023 is Lew Nichols.

TreVeyon Henderson – OSU
Trey Benson – FSU
Donovan Edwards – Michigan
Raheim Sanders – Arkansas
Rasheen Ali – Marshall
Will Shipley – Clemson
Kendall Milton – Georgia
Devin Neal – Kansas
Isaiah Davis – South Dakota State
Larry McCammon III – FAU
George Holani – Boise State
Roman Hemby – Maryland
Treshaun Ward – Kansas State
Jo’quavious Marks – Mississippi State
Alton McCaskill IV – Colorado
Jalen White – Georgia Southern

Tight ends:

Credit: Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After drafting two on day two just this past draft, I don’t see the Packers drafting another one early, but they could draft one on day 3 for depth. Probably someone who can block. So I don’t think we will see them draft a Brock Bowers or Benjamin Yurosek-type.

CJ Dippre – Alabama
Brevyn Spann-Ford – Minnesota
Theo Johnson – Penn State
Austin Stogner – Oklahoma
Cade Stover – Ohio State
Maliq Carr – Michigan State
Mason Fairchild – Kansas
Jared Wiley – TCU
Caden Prieskorn – Ole Miss
Ben Sinnott – Kansas State
Neal Johnson – Louisiana-Lafayette

Wide Receivers:

Similar to tight end, the Packers have so many young guys on the roster that I doubt they draft someone — unless they are so bad they have a shot at Marvin Harrison Jr. or someone drops to them unexpectedly.

Keon Coleman – FSU
Ali Jennings III – Virginia Tech
Rome Odunze – Washington
Malik Nabers – LSU
De’Corian Clark – UTSA
Donavon Greene – Wake Forest
Javon Baker – UCF
Bru McCoy – Tenneesee
Moose Muhammad II – Texas A & M
Malachi Corley – Western Kentucky.
Antwane Wells Jr. – South Carolina
Ramel Keyton – Tennessee
Jahmal Banks – Wake Forest

Offensive Tackles:

Credit: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Now this is one of the more interesting positions. David Bakhtiari is 32, has a huge cap hit in 2024, and had three surgeries on one knee in a 20-month period. He also is rarely practicing. Additionally, Yosh Nijman will be a free agent. I don’t see Bakhtiari back in 2024, and Nijman is questionable. That leaves you with Zach Tom, but center might be his best position, and he has seen snaps there.

Rasheed Walker could be a guy, but it’s still too small of a sample size to feel confident. I could see them grabbing an OT early. I don’t see them having a shot at Olu Fashanu.

Joe Alt – Notre Dame
Patrick Paul – Houston
Delmar Glaze – Maryland
Graham Barton – Duke
Kingsley Suamatala – BYU
Matthew Bedford – Indiana
Marcus Bryant – SMU
Jordan Morgan – Arizona
Brandon Coleman – TCU
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – SDSU
Javon Foster – Missouri
Blake Fisher – Notre Dame
Trente Jones – Michigan
Jack Nelson – Wisconsin
Trey Bedosky – UAB

Interior Offensive Linemen:

Credit: Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Packers seem to be pretty set at guard with Elgton Jenkins and Jon Runyan Jr. and Sean Rhyan seems to have taken a couple steps forward and looks to be the #3 guard. However, JRJ will be a free agent after this season, and even if Rhyan is ready to take over there is no depth. The Packers also have no true back-up center, with Tom locking up the right tackle spot.

Christian Haynes – UConn
Jarrett Kingston – USC
Bryson Speas – NC State
X’Zauvea Gadlin – Liberty
Doug Nester – West Virginia
Isaiah Adams – Illinois
Noel Ofori-Nyadu – UConn
Dorian Hinton – FAU
Justin Osborne – SMU
Joshua Gray – Oregon State
Tanor Bortolini – Wisconsin
Quantavious Leslie – Western Kentucky
Lokahi Pauole – UCF
Dustyn Hall – Duke
Matthew Lee – Miami
Michael Jurgens – Wake Forest
J.D. Duplain – Michigan State
LaDarius Henderson – Michigan
Donovan Jackson – OSU
Sincere Haynesworth – Tulane
Rusty Staats – Texas Tech
Will Putnam – Clemson
Beaux Limmer – Arkansas
Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia
Jack Freeman – Houston
Ben Scott – Nebraska
Nick Kidwell – James Madison
Jacob Likes – Memphis
Troy Fautanu – Washington

As always check out my other writings and my draft database that I continually update. Check back later this week, as I give you a list of prospects to be on the look-out for on defense for the Packers 2024 NFL draft plans.