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| The young wideout will officially be back for another go in 2019."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareSharePackers WR Jake Kumerow signs exclusive-rights tender Ka'dar Hollman Jersey 2019 , per reportVincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsExclusive-rights free agency is a bit of an afterthought in the NFL. Players with fewer than three accrued seasons of experience have little to no negotiating power under the leagues current collective bargaining agreement, as they remain entirely under team control until their fourth season.Still, it is notable any time a player signs a contract, and that happened today with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jake Kumerow. Despite entering the NFL in 2015, Kumerow has just one season of experience accrued towards free agency, and with his contract up in 2019, the Packers used an exclusive-rights tender on him for the upcoming season essentially a one-year contract at the players league-minimum salary. For someone with one year of experience, that value is $570,000 in 2019.On Friday, ESPNs Rob Demovsky reported that Kumerow has signed that tender, locking him in for the upcoming season. The timing of the signing is notable; the Packers begin their offseason workout program on Monday, and without signing the tender, Kumerow may have been unable to participate on day one.The Packers used five tenders on ERFA players in 2019, and Kumerow is the second reported player to sign his, joining offensive lineman Justin McCray. Reggie Gilbert, Lucas Patrick, and Robert Tonyan have yet to sign, and likely will do so before Monday.A player must spend six games on either injured reserve or the 53-man roster in a single season in order to collect an accrued season towards free agency. Kumerow spent the first half of the year on injured reserve in 2018, then played in the Packers final five games, hitting those qualifications. He did spend a brief time on IR with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016, but not long enough to log an accrued season. The Packers have shown more overt interest in offensive tackles than any other position in the draft by a mile. If theyre poised to take someone early Preston Smith Jersey , theyre likely looking for a long-term answer at right tackle."Two cornerbacks, three wide receivers, and a future first round pick Brian Gutekunsts first draft as general manager of the Green Bay Packers provided gobs of sizzle. In 2019, he may be looking for the steak. With pass rushers checked off the grocery list, the top of the Packers draft board likely looks very unsexy. Thats not a shot at 300-pound offensive linemen; after all, we dont condone body shaming at Acme Packing Company. But an offensive tackle at 12 or 30, especially with a pass rusher like Brian Burns or a linebacker like Devin Bush still on the board, could send Cheesehead Nation into a tailspin. If you nodded your head while reading that sentence, prepare your body. Its coming. Green Bay has spent much of the offseason investigating, studying, and talking to top offensive line talent. It looks very much like Gutekunst has his sights set on a blue chip offensive line upgrade with top draft capital.The straightforward case for using a premium asset on an offensive linemen who probably wont play in 2019 rests on two main tenets: nothing is more important than protecting Aaron Rodgers, and there isnt an obvious plan at right tackle beyond 2019. This draft class, with a slew of offensive tackles who could also play guard, provides a unique opportunity for the Packers to pick a top player with the idea of grooming him for a long-term role. When Bryan Bulaga stays on the field, hes one of the best right tackles in football and an elite pass blocker. Hes also not under contract beyond 2019 and isnt reliable enough staying on the field. Theres a case to be made that 12-14 games of Bulaga is better than 16 games of most offensive tackles in the leagueask the Giants about Ereck Flowersbut if Green Bay is looking for a long-term solution for Bulaga, he may be waiting in this draft. Ted Thompson moved on from Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang a year too early, but then their bodies broke down, culminating in each retiring this offseason. Bulagas body isnt fully broken yet, but the creaks can be heard from Wisconsin Rapids. Drafting someone in this draft to replace him in a year would give that player the opportunity to learn for a year behind one of the best guys at his position, while also acclimatizing to Matt LaFleurs offense and life in the NFL. Dont underestimate the value of the latter point. The Year 2 leap exists because the transition for college players at any position remains difficult despite the burgeoning schematic overlap. A full year in the NFL with a full-time offseason provides the best opportunity to take a major jump forward developmentally. Offensive linemen struggle even more in the modern NFL because the CBA reduced the padded practices and total practices, making the adjustment from the college to pro game much more cumbersome. Getting that year in this offense Color Rush Ka'dar Hollman Jersey , and in all likelihood having the chance to play a game or two when Bulaga inevitably gets hurt, insulates the Packers against that development curve.The list of players the Packers have interviewed tells the story. Jawaan Taylor, Dalton Risner, Jonah Williams, Andre Dillard, Kaleb McGary, Greg Little, Chuma Edoga, and Tytus Howard all project to go in the top two rounds. Throw in some Day 3 tackles Green Bay has kept an eye on and the message is clear: they want a premium offensive line upgrade. Theyve shown more interest in offensive tackles than any other position, which, on its own, may not be surprising. Ted Thompson never drafted guards; he selected tackles who moved to guard. And he did so with sagacious efficiency. He also took Derek Sherrod and Bryan Bulaga in the first round, players who didnt fit the typical athletic model they preferred when picking offensive linemen.If Brian Gutekunst is his football fathers son, so to speak, its not out of the question that the Packers would be willing to look outside their tendencies with athletic profile to pick a player they think can anchor their offensive line. That brings together an interesting question: with so many of the above players capable, or perhaps even better suited inside, is it the case theyre definitely looking at a right tackle of the future? Billy Turners contract would make much more sense if thes a short-term answer at right guard and the perceived long-term answer at right tackle. The positional versatility of so many of the tackles in this draft allow Green Bay to pick one and figure out where he fits best later, opening up the opportunities for players who might not otherwise be great options. Alabamas Jonah Williams, for example, doesnt fit the athletic profile Green Bay generally prefers, but has drawn comparisons to Bulaga already and looks like he could be a solid right tackle. Some evaluators see a Pro Bowl guard. The ability to play both should appeal to the Packers Cheap Ka'dar Hollman Jersey , who brought Williams in this week for a visit. Risner, McGary, Taylor, and Little could fit the same kind of bill, particularly as the first three played right tackle in college. Players like Dillard and Edoga probably have to play tackle only given where they are in their development curve.Still, the interest in offensive tackle, whether they play inside or outside, portends the end of Bulagas tenure in Green Bay. Turner may be the future, or it could be one of these top offensive line prospects. If Gutekunst does go that route, using a high pick on an offensive lineman, hell show his cards when it comes to Bulagas future. Considering nothing is more important than protecting Aaron Rodgers, using such high draft capital on an offensive lineman, even to go outside their preferred physical norms, serves as smart team building. It may not be the sexy pick at 12, but it is the prudent one. Signing Billy Turner gives the Packers even more flexibility to take a player whose best position may be inside but could still play outside effectively. By May, theres a very good chance well know who the right side of the Packers offensive line will be for the next few years. We just may not know yet who is playing where. Luckily for Aaron Rodgers, that plan probably no longer involves Jason Spriggs. |
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