wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
4 years ago

The jury is still out on last year’s fifth-round pick as he looks to make his Lambeau Field debut, but he should bring versatility and competition to the offensive line. With uncertainty at the right guard position last offseason, the Green Bay Packers  entered the 2018 NFL Draft  without a clear-cut starter on the roster. Ultimately, they added late-May signee Byron Bell  to compete with returners Justin McCray  and Lucas Patrick  for spot starts throughout the regular season.
But before Bell  was signed, there was a dark horse candidate to win the starting role: rookie Cole Madison .
The fifth-round pick from Washington State was a 47-game starter for the Cougars at right tackle and an integral piece of the Mike Leach  air-raid offense. Despite having to translate his skills in the spread offense to the pro style of the NFL, there was plenty of hope that Madison  could compete for a starting job in training camp or at least an immediate depth role. As has been documented in previous articles , that plan never came to fruition after Madison spent last season on the reserve/did not report list.
But with the news on Monday that Madison is coming back to the Green Bay organization, there is optimism he can still be another critical find for the Packers’ offensive line on the draft’s third day, following in the steps of former players Josh Sitton , T.J. Lang , and David Bakhtiari. While caution must be exercised in Madison’s return from a redshirt year as he gets back up to playing speed, there remains the chance he could become another valuable swingman on the line with Billy Turner  sliding in at right guard in 2019.
In fact, “versatility” was the biggest buzz word used by Packers’ scout Sam Seale to describe Madison following his selection last April. Seale felt strongly that Madison could play guard despite making all of his college starts at tackle because of his length, strength, and footwork. He also characterized Madison as a “mean” person on the football field with competitiveness, a trait desired at the guard position. With his experience in a heavy passing system at Washington State, Madison’s pass blocking was favorable for transitioning into the Green Bay system last year.
The reinstatement of Madison, if he can live up to Seale’s scouting report, would be a vital addition to the Green Bay line. But it should not deter the Packers from continuing to add competition up front this draft season, especially at tackle.
Guard has seemingly been solidified with Lane Taylor  and Turner  entrenched as the current starters, and McCray  and Patrick  making up the depth behind them. Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga , and Jason Spriggs  form the team’s top tackle options, along with last year’s undrafted free agent keep Alex Light. Center Corey Linsley  will start again in 2019, but the Packers did not carry a true backup center on the roster last season.
Green Bay went with nine offensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster in 2018 and there are 10 names already listed above, counting Madison. Yet, it is imperative for the Packers to begin adding talent to the line with the tackle position exposed in recent seasons and Bulaga  entering a contract year. Madison’s ability to help in this role is something that will not be known until training camp, but should not be counted on. Expect the Packers to continue exploring second-day tackle prospects such as Ole Miss’s Greg Little  and Washington’s Kaleb McGary who have already made the trip to Green Bay as part of the team’s 30 allowed visits.
Even as Madison’s impact remains unknown for the Packers next season and beyond, his decision to come back to football is a good thing for Green Bay. It is an opportunity for the organization to see what it has in its former fifth-round pick after all, and with some luck that pick could pay dividends in the Packers’ long-term plans as well. But for now, despite many possible roster acquisitions between now and the start of the preseason slate, Madison’s return simply represents the addition of a once-promising young player to a position requiring extra competition.

Continue Reading @ Shawn Wagner 

Shawn Wagner wrote:



While I welcome Madison to the Packers and wish him all the best, I can't imagine a 5th round draft pick who never played a down in the NFL would change any teams draft strategy.

They will still take a close look at a few OL both in the draft and as UDFA. It is the prudent thing to do.
UserPostedImage
Cheesey
4 years ago
Plus, you don’t know if he really plans to stick around, with what happened last year.
I hope he has been able to deal with it and can go on in a positive way with his life.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dfosterf (13h) : Maybe
Mucky Tundra (13h) : Yes
Zero2Cool (14h) : No.
Mucky Tundra (16h) : End of a Degu-era
dhazer (17h) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (20h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (21h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (28-Mar) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
8h / Around The NFL / beast

13h / Green Bay Packers Talk / buckeyepackfan

28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

28-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.