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Articles by Rich Frances
Albert Breer Believes Jaire Alexander Stays With the Packers With One Big Change
The Jaire Alexander saga took a turn on Tuesday when ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky tweeted that the Green Bay Packers and their star cornerback could work on reconciling differences. The end goal is for Alexander to play for Green Bay in 2025. Since then, many have weighed in on the topic. NFL reporter Albert Breer chimed in with an idea that makes a lot of sense. In his post-draft NFL mailbag, Breer was asked about Alexander and how he sees the end road coming to be.
The Minnesota Timberwolves not only eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs — they embarrassed them. Anthony Edwards and the rest of the Wolves clipped the Lakers in five games after entering the series as underdogs. On Thursday’s episode of “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith was asked whether the NBA is now Anthony Edwards’ league. It’s not Ant Edwards’ league until he wins the West. He doesn’t even necessarily have to win the championship but he’s got to win the West.
Carmelo Anthony Speaks Out On What Makes Anthony Edwards Different
Real recognize real. It’s a term often used when a perspective from one person resonates with another who has been in a similar situation. Carmelo Anthony saw it all during his time in the NBA. Now he’s seeing a different side of Anthony Edwards that has come to be this postseason. On his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Melo said not everyone has what Edwards has. It’s a different mentality. Not everybody has that mentality. Not everybody wants that type of action. … I’m guarding Luka. I’m guarding Bron.
Stephen A. Smith Lists the Wolves High On His Title Contenders List
Are the Minnesota Timberwolves finally getting the recognition they deserved all along? On Tuesday’s edition of “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith rolled through his list of Top 5 title contenders in the NBA based on where things currently stand. The Wolves are finally getting some love from ESPN. Stephen A. ranked the Wolves fourth and praised Minnesota for its playoff performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ant Man has arrived. Last year he took out KD. Last year he took out (Nikola) Jokic.
Kendrick Perkins Makes A Bold Statement While Comparing Ant To Luka
The Minnesota Timberwolves took a commanding 3-1 lead on the Los Angeles Lakers in Sunday’s win at Target Center. With the series pivoting back to Los Angeles, the Wolves only need to win one of the next three to advance. On Monday’s edition of First Take on ESPN, Kendrick Perkins wasted no time praising Anthony Edwards and putting him ahead of Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards is going to win a championship before Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards is built different.
Packers President Mark Murphy Reveals Bold Draft Strategy After First Round
The Green Bay Packers stayed put at No. 23 on Thursday night and drafted Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round. Brian Gutekunst said they received calls about moving back, but ultimately decided to stay and select. Packers president Mark Murphy doesn’t expect the same strategy moving forward. Speaking with Kay Adams on the “Up and Adams Show,” Murphy was asked to make a prediction. He provided one hell of an answer. I predict we will trade up once and down twice.
Nick Wright Rips Jaden McDaniels For 'Borderline Dirty Moment' On Luka Doncic In Game 2
Game 2 was a rock fight between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Neither team was efficient offensively on Tuesday night, and there was plenty of physicality from start to finish. On his Wednesday podcast, Wright pointed out one play in particular. Jaden McDaniels fell to the ground after making a shot in the paint to cut LA’s lead to nine with 6:30 to go. His feet got tangled up with Lakers star Luka Doncic‘s, and Doncic hit the deck.
Tetairoa McMillan Reveals His Thoughts On the Packers Right Before the Draft
The Green Bay Packers are in the market to take a wide receiver at some point early in the draft. It could be Round 1, and if it is, it’d be the first time the Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round since they took Javon Walker in 2002. One name to keep tabs on is Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. On Wednesday, he gave his thoughts on Green Bay.
Nick Wright Lists Julius Randle As A Bizarre Silver Lining For Lakers After Loss
The Los Angeles Lakers blitzed Anthony Edwards early and often in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game 1 win on Saturday. As a result, the others had to step up for the Timberwolves, and they did. It’s a group that includes Julius Randle, who went 6-for-11 for 16 points. He also chipped in five assists and five rebounds and handled LeBron duties at times defensively. Still, don’t count Fox Sports’ Nick Wright as someone who thought Randle was fine. Wright had the exact opposite thoughts.
Bill Simmons Is Starting To Believe In the Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers were an overwhelmingly popular pick in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even after losing Game 1 to the Wolves, many national pundits are still picking the Lakers. Bill Simmons remains among that group, but he’s slowly starting to crawl over to the Minnesota side. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons and Ryen Russillo looked back at Minnesota’s Game 1 win.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter Has the Packers Trading Up In First Round
People are submitting their final mock drafts, and for NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, that means a full, seven-round mock draft. In an unprecedented move for the Green Bay Packers, Reuter has them trading up in the first round for a wide receiver. Tetairoa McMillan has drawn the attention of many Packers fans after Green Bay used a top-30 visit on him, and general manager Brian Gutekunst attended his private workout.
Stephen A. Smith Gives the Lakers A Huge Warning About Anthony Edwards
The national media would inevitably praise the Los Angeles Lakers regardless of who they played in the first round. Like many other national pundits, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes the Lakers will win. However, he issued a stern warning to the Lakers about Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards. During Thursday’s edition of First Take, Stephen A. made it clear how he feels about Edwards and his ability to shift a series. You better be scared of Anthony Edwards, Stephen A. said.
Stopping the Lakers Starts With Using McDaniels Creatively
Jaden McDaniels’ early career has been a tale of turbulent impact. When McDaniels is at his best, he is one of the league’s most effective role players. He can offer an All-Defense impact and vital tertiary scoring abilities. However, when McDaniels struggles to find his rhythm defensively, it negatively affects his offensive aggression and output, stunting the Minnesota Timberwolves’ ceiling. McDaniels is a fantastic perimeter defender, earning second-team All-Defense honors last season.
Nick Wright Rips Wolves In Series Prediction Against Lakers
By most accounts, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers should last at least six games and maybe even longer. According to FanDuel, the Lakers are -190 to advance. To put that in perspective, the New York Knicks, the other three seed in the playoffs, are -430 against the Detroit Pistons, a heavy favorite. Don’t tell Nick Wright any of this, though. He sees this as an easy series for the Lakers.
Which 2025 Quarterback Prospect Could Be Green Bay’s Next Development Project?
If the Green Bay Packers learned anything from last season, it’s how valuable it is to have a reliable backup quarterback. Malik Willis went 2-0 as a starter, while Jordan Love recovered from a sprained MCL. He also came off the bench in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, after Love exited with a groin injury, and helped rally the Packers to a 30-27 win. Without those two victories with Willis under center, the Packers wouldn’t have punched their ticket to the playoffs.
Two Trade-Up Deals That Make Sense For the Packers
Predicting trades in the NFL draft isn’t the easiest thing to do — but that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking a swing at it. Green Bay holds the No. 23 pick in Round 1. It’s worth noting that the Packers have moved up twice in the first round under general manager Brian Gutekunst. Here are two trade-up deals that could make sense.
Kristian Welch Should Help Fill the Eric Wilson Role
A few weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers lost an underrated contributor to their 2024 defense and special teams units when linebacker Eric Wilson to his first NFL home with the rival Minnesota Vikings. That departure left the Packers with another hole to fill for their 2025 roster. Enter an old friend: Kristian Welch. The former Iowa Hawkeye spent the 2023 season and 2024 training camp with the Packers before they released him at final cutdowns. It was a surprising move at the time.
Mina Kimes and Todd McShay Have the Combine's Fastest Player Going To Green Bay
We’re at the point in April where mock drafts become 2.0 and even 3.0 versions. The powerful Mina Kimes and Todd McShay duo released a “War Room Mock Draft 3.0” on The Mina Kimes Show with Lenny, and they have Green Bay taking quite the prospect at No. 23 overall. Maxwell Hairston ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in early March. It topped the charts of all players regardless of position.
Kenneth Grant Fills A Packers Need Now and In the Future
The Green Bay Packers didn’t have many key departures in free agency this offseason. However, defensive tackle T.J. Slaton left a 330 lb. void when he signed a two-year, $15.1 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Slaton was a crucial part of Green Bay’s run defense. He led defensive tackles in run-stop win rate this past season, and he’s a body type for which they don’t have an in-house replacement.
Cobee Bryant Is A Day 2 Pick Who Would Fill A Hole In Green Bay's Defense
If the Green Bay Packers move on from Jaire Alexander, they must address their cornerback room. Alexander and Eric Stokes’ departures will leave glaring holes on defense. Although there are some veterans they could sign, the draft seems to be a likely place for the Packers to fill this hole. Kansas’ Cobee Bryant is a mid-round pick who could satisfy this need.
History Suggests Luke Lachey Could Be A Day 3 Steal For Green Bay
In recent years, Iowa has become Tight End University. And it’s not just a matter of quantity. The quality is there, with alumni names like George Kittle and Sam LaPorta among the best in the business. This year, Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey will enter the draft. While he may not have Kittle or LaPorta’s ceiling, he’s a fascinating prospect nonetheless, and a sneaky Day 3 option for Green Bay. The Packers already have a stud tight end in Tucker Kraft. We’re all well aware.
ESPN Report Suggests Packers Will Focus On One Side Of the Ball Early In the Draft
If history tells us anything, Green Bay will invest on the defensive side of the ball early in the draft. Predictions are flying in, with the 2025 NFL Draft starting on April 24. One ESPN report suggests the Packers will go defense early in the draft. Matt Miller and Jordan Reid of ESPN shared what they’re hearing for each team as the draft approaches. For the Packers, what they’re hearing shouldn’t be a surprise.
Where Could Javon Bullard Fit In Green Bay's Secondary?
The Green Bay Packers are in an interesting spot with their starting secondary. Keisean Nixon said he wants to be CB1, and signing kick returner Mecole Hardman suggests he will focus solely on defense. The Packers also signed Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal, and he should start alongside Nixon. Who starts alongside Xavier McKinney is an intriguing question for Green Bay’s defense. Evan Williams looked more natural as a post-safety, showing better range and consistency on the back end.
Mel Kiper Has Packers Going Defense Then Offense In His Latest Mock Draft
The draftniks are expanding their analyses as Day 1 draws nearer. For ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., that means a two-round mock draft. In his latest version, Kiper has the Green Bay Packers going defense first, and then offense. With pick No. 23, Kiper has the Packers selecting Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams. Sound familiar? Green Bay has used three first-round selections on Georgia defensive players since 2021 and a 2024 second-rounder on safety Javon Bullard, also from Georgia.
Minnesota's Odd Quirk Should Concern Their Playoff Opponents
Ten hours before the Minnesota Timberwolves’ regular season finale against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, word came down from the league that the Wolves would be without Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid. They received one-game suspensions for their roles in the brawl that ensued against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. It was not the first time the Timberwolves marched into Ball Arena undermanned for a big game.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker's Consistency Drove An All-Time Classic Win In Denver
Nickeil Alexander-Walker walked to the free-throw line with 0.1 seconds remaining and the Minnesota Timberwolves down 139-138. Moments earlier, he had run at a dead sprint to contest a Russell Westbrook layup, get the rebound, and sprinted back to the offensive side of the court to set himself up for the shot attempt. Westbrook closed out hard and clipped Alexander-Walker in the leg, creating a dream situation. WESTBROOK GETS CALLED FOR THE FOUL ON THE TWOLVES GAME-WINNING SHOT ATTEMPT.
Stephen A. Smith Has An Eye-Opening Comparison For Anthony Edwards
Tuesday’s double-overtime game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets was an instant classic. Both teams were missing key pieces, but the game had a playoff feel, with the Wolves edging out the Nuggets 140-139 as time expired in OT. Flip the page to Wednesday, and First Take wasted no time talking about the contest from the night before. Stephen A. Smith was more than giddy talking about Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.
2025 Packers Mock Draft Tracker
With free agency settling down and the Green Bay Packers likely having already made all of their major offseason moves, attention now turns to what the first round holds for the Green and Gold. Let’s see what the experts predict the Packers will do in the first round of the draft. Matt Miller (ESPN+) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas The Packers are entering the last year of Rasheed Walker‘s contract, and rumors around the league have Green Bay drafting a tackle early.
Would Brian Gutekunst Trade Up For Tetairoa McMillan?
As the NFL Draft inches closer, tidbits of information continue to leak out. Whether or not to invest in each report or rumor is up to the individual. However, Green Bay’s need at wide receiver isn’t up for debate. The consensus top true wide receiver is Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. Would Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst trade up to snag the belle of the ball at wide receiver? Before last week, thoughts of Green Bay linking up to get McMillan weren’t even being whispered about.
The Packers Have A Unique Opportunity to Break A First-Round Trend
The Green Bay Packers’ defensive performance last season has positioned them to break a long-standing first-round trend at the edge rusher position. The Packers struggled to stop the run throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, whether against mobile quarterbacks or traditional running backs. However, their run defense took a significant step forward under Jeff Hafley.
Mina Kimes Explains Why the Packers Are In A Tricky Spot
Signing running back Saquon Barkley put the Philadelphia Eagles over the top in 2024. The Eagles already had a great offensive line, two stud wide receivers, and a quarterback in Jalen Hurts, who had shown he could get to a Super Bowl. Green Bay has a really good roster, nobody doubts that. ESPN’s Mina Kimes says despite that, the Packers are in a tricky spot. On her latest episode of “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny,” Kimes dove into what Green Bay has and still desperately needs. Great team.
Ben Solak Is Not A Fan Of Green Bay's Offseason For One Specific Reason
The highlights of the Green Bay Packers’ offseason include the additions of left guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs … and that’s about it. Outside of those to acquisitions, it’s been pretty quiet. ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote up a summary of Green Bay’s moves with positives and negatives to both. On one hand, Solak notes that getting Banks should be a boon for the Packers’ ground game. Solak also notes Hobbs’ strengths as a run defender and how he’s flourished playing in the slot.
Have the Packers Closed the Gap With the Lions This Offseason?
The Green Bay Packers used to be the gold standard in the NFC North. Since the NFC Central turned into the NFC North in 2002, nobody has won the division more than the Packers — a whopping 12 times. The changing of the guard began a couple of years ago with the Detroit Lions winning back-to-back division titles. It might have sounded crazy a decade ago, but the Lions are firmly in pole position, with the Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and (theoretically) the Chicago Bears sprinting to keep pace.
The 33rd Team Suggests A Reasonable Packers Trade Package For Trey Hendrickson
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is the last big remaining domino waiting to fall in the trade market. Still, even after dishing out massive contract extensions to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals may work something out with Hendrickson. If they can’t, the Bengals will likely trade him elsewhere, and there’s a package that would send Hendrickson to Green Bay that makes a lot of sense.
Will Green Bay Shop Rasheed Walker?
Good offensive linemen are hard to find, and finding a left tackle who can play at a high level is one of the most difficult tasks in the NFL. The reality is that there are only so many big, athletic men on the planet, so when a team finds one, they typically hold onto him. However, the Green Bay Packers have six quality offensive linemen after Aaron Banks during the first wave of free agency. Would Green Bay consider moving one of these linemen for an extra draft pick in April?
Bill Barnwell Offers A Way For the Packers To Surprise In the First Round
The Green Bay Packers sit with the No. 23-overall pick in their lap for April’s draft. With Brian Gutekunst showing a willingness to navigate around the first round in past drafts, ESPN is suggesting he and the Packers do the same this time around. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote a piece about teams that should trade within the parameters of Round 1. Among the teams he listed was the Packers, and it’s hard to argue with his logic. Do the Packers lack star power? Maybe.
Could Karl Brooks Spark Life Into the Edge Group?
The Green Bay Packers didn’t upgrade their pass rush in free agency. Therefore, it’s fair to expect them to aggressively target defensive tackles and edge defenders early in the draft. Still, one player inside the building may be capable of sparking some life into the edge group. Karl Brooks. Brooks was mainly a defensive end at Bowling Green. Over his last two college seasons, he played 1,115 snaps outside or over the tackle, compared to 101 on the interior.
Could 2025 Be Elgton Jenkins' Final Year In Green Bay?
The Green Bay Packers will have to make some challenging decisions about the offensive line in 2026. Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan are all slated to hit free agency in 2026, and it won’t be easy for Green Bay to keep all of them. The Packers don’t have the most flexible cap situation that year, and given they will likely re-sign key players from their 2022 draft class, they’ll have to make tough calls. Keeping Tom and Walker isn’t impossible.
Tetairoa McMillan Would Be Worth the Reach For the Packers
In his most recent mock draft on Monday, NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah had Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan going 22nd to the Los Angeles Chargers, one pick before the Green Bay Packers. It’s an unpopular opinion that McMillan falls anywhere near that area. The Athletic has him ranked seventh on their most recent consensus big board. There have been murmurs about his lack of top-end speed, causing some people to hesitate to call him a lock to be a top-10 pick.
Brian Gutekunst Was the Lone GM At Private Workout For Top WR Prospect
With the draft nearing, front offices are working towards finalizing draft boards. Part of that process is attending workouts for targets on the board. According to ESPN, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was the only general manager to attend a private workout for Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is widely expected to be the top true wide receiver taken in April’s draft. Some believe he could sneak into the top 10 while otherwise foresee a slip.
How Can the Packers Maximize Positional Value In the Draft?
The Green Bay Packers made fewer moves than any other NFL team during the 2025 free-agency period. They retained only two of their own free agents, Isaiah McDuffie and Brandon McManus, while adding Nate Hobbs from the Las Vegas Raiders and Aaron Banks from the San Francisco 49ers. As of the second week of free agency, the Packers still have needs at cornerback, defensive line, and wide receiver.
The Packers Have A Breakout Pass-Rush Option On the Roster
Myles Garrett is still with the Cleveland Browns after signing a historic deal, Chase Young never left the New Orleans Saints, and Super Bowl breakout star Josh Sweat signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers swung big on the first day of legal tampering this past week – just not at pass rusher.
Luke Musgrave Is Still Green Bay’s Mystery Box
In-house improvement appears to be the name of the game for the Green Bay Packers’ offense. Barring any massive trades, and with all the top receiving threats already picked over, general manager Brian Gutekunst will count on drastic leaps from within to help with what was a sluggish passing game for much of last season. Within that group is a strong candidate who could provide the boost they need, and it’s not a wide receiver. It’s Luke Musgrave, and he needs a larger role moving forward.
Mel Kiper Has the Packers Making An Unchartered Selection In Round 1
Like many teams, the Green Bay Packers can go in several different directions with its first-round pick in April’s draft. After the first stages of free agency, there are still plenty of needs to fill out the roster. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft on Tuesday, and he had the Packers making an atypical move. The Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since they selected Javon Walker in 2002.
The Packers Must Remain Patient With Jordan Morgan
The Green Bay Packers beefed up their offensive line on Monday when they signed left guard Aaron Banks. The move to get Banks on a four-year deal gives the Packers their left guard for the next few years. The domino effect it’s leaving on the rest of the offensive line is intriguing. The most pressing question: What happens with Jordan Morgan in 2025? Morgan was Green Bay’s first-round pick in 2024, a versatile lineman out of Arizona.
Should the Packers Consider Signing Jeff Okudah?
Jeff Hafley has built a reputation for developing defensive backs and improving defenses throughout his coaching career. When he arrived at Ohio State in 2019, the Buckeyes were coming off a season in which they ranked 71st nationally in total defense. Under Hafley’s leadership, the Buckeyes allowed nearly 145 fewer yards per game while recording 15 interceptions. Ohio State’s defense had standout talent at every level, but Jeff Okudah garnered the most attention heading into the 2020 draft.
The Packers Will Have To Use the Draft To Address Wide Receiver
As rumored, Brian Gutekunst was a busy lad on the first day of “legal” tampering, signing guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs to big deals. Cornerback was a major team need, and the offensive line needed a boost after the Philadelphia Eagles exposed their depth, so the signings make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, the Packers couldn’t make a splash with two of their other major needs: wide receiver and pass rush.
NFL Insider Lists Packers As A Cooper Kupp Destination
The Green Bay Packers typically don’t dive into the free-agency waters to add players considered older. Green Bay boasted the youngest roster in the NFL two years in a row and isn’t shy about mentioning it. Could there be an exception to the rule? One reporter has listed the Packers as a “team to watch” for former All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp. #Packers #Seahawks #Titans all make a lot of sense as fits for #Rams veteran free agent wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Green Bay is one to watch.
What Does the Nate Hobbs Deal Mean For Javon Bullard?
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers signed former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal, with only $16 million fully guaranteed. The contract structure provides Green Bay with financial flexibility because Hobbs’ $5,988,235 cap hit in 2025 will account for just 2% of the team’s cap space. He’s a physical press corner with strong tackling ability. Throughout Hobbs’ time in Vegas, he primarily played as a slot corner, logging 1,616 snaps at the position.
PFF Lists the Packers As 'Losers' Of Early Free Agency Phase
The Green Bay Packers have gone about business in typical fashion so far in free agency. Green Bay has agreed to deals with two players, guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs. Neither were tabbed by hardly anyone as potential targets for the Packers. Still, there are holes to fill, and Green Bay could wait until the draft to fill them. So far, though, Pro Football Focus has listed the Packers as the losers of free agency.
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