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Three players Packers should target in 2024 NFL Draft
The Green Bay Packers have three selections among the first 58 picks in April's NFL Draft and are in a unique position to fill several needs ahead of the 2024 campaign.
With that in mind, here are three players the Packers should consider targeting.
S, Kamren Kinchens (Miami)
Safety was a glaring hole all season long for the Packers, and with Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens and Darnell Savage all hitting the free-agent market, shoring up the spot has become even more critical. Selecting Kinchens would help start the rebuild of a secondary in desperate need of a makeover.
The former Miami standout plays an aggressive, ball-hawking style and is arguably the most versatile safety in this year's draft, capable of moving all over the field. Meanwhile, he's a turnover machine, leading the ACC in interceptions in 2022 and 20223.
CB, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri)
While safety is a concern for the Packers, there's also uncertainty in the cornerback room. Jaire Alexander may be the only sure thing heading into 2024, and he played only seven games this season due to injury. In need of a solid option opposite two-time Pro Bowler, Rakestraw fits the mold.
Rakestraw is among the best man-to-man coverage corners in the draft but can also thrive in zone packages. Furthermore, despite his thin frame at 6'0" and 170 pounds, he's a willing and solid tackler in the open field.
RB, Jonathon Brooks (Texas)
The Packers also have questions in the backfield, with Aaron Jones and Ellis Merriweather being the only backs under contract for 2024. Jones, entering the final year of his contract, will likely be back on a restructured deal or an extension, but Green Bay will still need to add a potential heir apparent.
Brooks suffered a torn ACL in November and might not be back on the field healthy until August. However, before the injury, he looked like the best back in the nation, rushing for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games. He didn't have the biggest workload at Texas, so there's not much of a resume to fall back on, but his elusive, game-breaking skills should be too attractive to pass up.
More must-reads:
- Jordan Love's secret weapon will be back with Packers for 2024
- Why the Green Bay Packers should replace AJ Dillon in the 2024 NFL Draft
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Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love’s ‘Fiery’ Response to Wife’s Take on Franchise’s Timeless Tradition
Green Bay Packers star quarterback Jordan Love and his wife, Ronika Stone Love, are truly in, well, love. The couple just got married in June, and with the Packers deep into their preparation for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, Ronika shows full support for her husband. In a social media post on Instagram, Ronika shared a series of photos from last Saturday’s Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field. The first photo on the post shows a happy Ronika in the arms of the former Utah State Aggies star signal-caller. “My version of a Lambeau Leap,” Ronika wrote as a caption. Last season, Love played in 15 games, throwing for a total of 3,389 passing yards to go along with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That year was considered a down one for Love, but many expect him to come up with a bigger performance in 2025, as Green Bay looks to surpass its 11-win total in 2024. Fans react to Jordan Love’s wife’s Green Bay Packers Lambeau Leap Apart from Love, many others reacted to Ronika’s heartwarming post. Here are some of them: “Two Green Bay 10’s right there,” said a fan. Another one said: “Hair looks amazing” From a commenter: “Awhhhh y’all are so cute!! And I’m obsessed with the hair it’s giving SZA!! ” “Love the Loves!,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “your outfit is adorable” Said another: “I love the fit! Both of yall ”
25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
Rams share worrisome Matthew Stafford update ahead of preseason opener
Los Angeles Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a "week-to-week" designation throughout training camp as he deals with lingering back soreness. According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop and Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Sunday that Stafford won't participate in Monday's jog-through practice. "He’ll be doing a workout on his own during that time period," McVay said. "He is able to do a little bit more, which is good, and things are progressing well, but he won’t take part in the jog-through because he’ll be doing some other stuff." Stafford also won't take part in Los Angeles' joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Barshop noted that 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV, who has never taken a meaningful snap as a pro, "is expected to start for the Rams" in the team's preseason opener against Dallas this coming Saturday. It's unclear if Stafford will be available for the Rams' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 13. The Rams play the Chargers on Aug. 16 and then end the preseason with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 23. "It’s static throwing," McVay said about what Stafford will do on Monday. "It’s some of the unloaded running on the treadmill. Sometimes it might even be walking. He’s able to do a little lighter cardio and able to do some good core work. It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area, making sure you don’t do anything to set yourself back based on the trajectory he’s doing. We are looking forward to getting him and easing him back into football, hopefully in the near future." It's no secret that the Rams at least considered trading Stafford to either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders after he turned 37 years old this past February. While the Rams worked out an agreement to keep Stafford as their QB1, the club could part ways with him next offseason if his body betrays him or he looks like a player past his physical prime during the upcoming campaign. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams sixth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. Such information suggests Los Angeles may want to consider looking for an upgrade over current backup signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, who hasn't shown he can be a winning QB1 with any regularity since the 2022 season.
Teams to watch if Cowboys actually trade Micah Parsons
The relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is severed to the point the two-time first-team All-Pro publicly requested a trade. In response, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones brushed the request off as simply something that can happen during a contract negotiation. While it's unlikely Parsons is actually sent out of Dallas, there will be no shortage of interested suitors if he's actually made available. But since the trade request is out there, it's time to speculate on which teams make sense as possible new destinations for Parsons. Las Vegas Raiders Sitting almost $40M under the salary cap, the Raiders have plenty of room to add to their team. The hiring of Pete Carroll along with the addition of Geno Smith has sent a clear message Las Vegas is tired of rebuilding and is planning on trying to win right now. The Raiders do have defensive end Maxx Crosby as their leader of the defense, but he's been far from enough on his own in recent years. Based on their desire to win, there's almost no good reason for the Raiders to not pursue Parsons. Chicago Bears Desperate to take another step in 2025, the Bears could be willing to do whatever it takes to transform into an instant contender. Heading into Caleb Williams' second season, acquiring an elite pass rusher like Parsons would do wonders for shoring up the defensive side of ball and taking pressure off the offense as they look to continue their progression. Chicago is also expected to have eight draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, providing it the assets to make a blockbuster trade possible. Carolina Panthers Even though Parsons would likely prefer to play for a playoff team, the Panthers have shown a willingness to try and change their fortunes this offseason. They tried, and failed, to trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf or sign defensive tackle Milton Williams. They have about $19M in salary cap space and could be willing to award Parsons with the money he's seeking in an effort to become relevant. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield's career resurgence has made the Buccaneers' offense dangerous, but Tampa Bay is still a strong defense away from being able to truly make a run. With cap flexibility and coming off a 10-7 regular season in 2024, the Buccaneers franchise has been known to take big swings, and trading for Parsons could fit right into their plan.
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