Rastak
04-28-2008, 08:15 AM
Packers:
36. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State
What he brings: Nelson isn't a very sexy pick; he doesn't have great speed and isn't elusive. However, this kid knows how to play the game. He is a very good route-runner, has a wide frame that allows him to catch the ball very well and shield defenders from the ball. He is a high-character player who is going to have a positive influence in the locker room once he establishes himself.
How he fits: He is a big receiver who gives the Packers size and is a solid fit in their West Coast offense. This position wasn't a major need, but he was a highly productive player in college. They have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Koren Robinson and James Jones, but Nelson gives QB Aaron Rodgers another threat in the passing game. He also has added value as a punt returner.
56. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
What he brings: Brohm, like a lot of other young quarterbacks, can have a hard time beating pressure, doesn't have great mobility and takes some big hits. He also needs to improve his decision-making. On the flipside, he has excellent mechanics, puts great touch on his throws and is good at hitting his receivers in stride. In addition, he has good football smarts and reads defenses well.
How he fits: This is a good value pick by the Packers. Brohm clearly fell because there was a strong possibility of him being a first-rounder. Brohm has already played in a pro-style offense at Louisville, which has some similarities to Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is still a question mark as a starting quarterback, and this pick puts pressure on him.
60. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
What he brings: The argument can be made that Lee best fits in a Cover 2 scheme as he doesn't open his hips as well as some of the other corners in this class. However he has enough athletic ability and speed to develop into an effective No. 2 for a team that plays man coverage most of the time. In addition, there's a lot to like about his toughness, willingness to step up in run support and ability to contribute on special teams.
How he fits: With the aging Al Harris and Charles Woodson in Green Bay, this pick makes a lot of sense. He can also fill a role in the Packers' nickel and dime packages as a No. 3 or No. 4 corner. He will also have a role on special teams. This is a good pick for a defense that is getting younger and keeps getting better.
91. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas
What he brings: Although he plays with a mean streak, Finley's undersized and lacks great lower-body strength. He isn't going to drive defenders off the ball. However, he has very good athletic ability for his size and the potential to develop into a crisp route-runner. In addition, he plays faster than his timed-speed suggests and can work the seam.
How he fits: The Packers play a lot of two-tight end sets and lack depth after moving Bubba Franks. Finley has a lot of versatility and once he learns the system, he will complement Donald Lee. But he is a raw player who will have to develop quickly in order to contribute in his first year.
102. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
Thompson is not a great run-stopper due to a lack of size. He has the frame to get bigger, though, and he is relentless. He will improve as he gets bigger. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is getting up there in years, and the Packers are obviously building depth along the defensive line.
135. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Josh Sitton, OT, Central Florida
Sitton has excellent size but lacks ideal explosiveness and range, so he might be a better fit at guard.
150. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Breno Giacomini, OT, Louisville
Giacomini is a developmental prospect who needs to learn how to control his emotions. He needs to improve his punch, but has an excellent frame with long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket.
Green Bay (From St. Louis through Minnesota) Matt Flynn QB LSU
He has smooth feet and has a relatively quick delivery. He shows excellent touch on intermediate throws, good poise and has adequate speed to create if nothing is open. But he lacks elite arm strength, will struggle making some NFL throws and tends to hold onto the ball too long.
Vikings
43. Minnesoata Vikings
The pick: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
What he brings: Johnson doesn't have great man-to-man cover skills and is going to have trouble matching up with slot receivers. Additionally, you would have liked to see him make more big plays against inferior competition. However, he plays bigger than his size would suggest and is a sound tackler who can line up in the box. He has the range to cover the deep half of the field.
How he fits: The Vikings were active at safety in the offseason, adding Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware. Johnson gives them a physical safety who can play near the line of scrimmage or as a two-deep safety. This guy is the eventual replacement to Darren Sharper at strong safety.
137. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: John David Booty, QB, USC
Booty doesn't have elite arm strength or size, but moves his feet well and is accurate, making him a perfect fit for the Vikings' West Coast offense.
152. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
Guion is a one-gap defensive tackle with an explosive first step who can make plays in the backfield. He plays to the whistle and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly, but doesn't have great size. He struggles to anchor when teams run at him.
187. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
He is an excellent value at this point in the draft. While he doesn't have great lateral mobility, he masks this weakness by locking out his arms and riding pass rushers down the line. He is also a physical drive-blocker. Vikings now have an heir apparent for an aging Matt Birk.
193. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State
He is a big-play threat both as a receiver and a punt-retuner, but he's also undersized and lacks ideal upper-body strength. He is going to have problems beating press coverage and he will get muscled out of some routes.
36. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State
What he brings: Nelson isn't a very sexy pick; he doesn't have great speed and isn't elusive. However, this kid knows how to play the game. He is a very good route-runner, has a wide frame that allows him to catch the ball very well and shield defenders from the ball. He is a high-character player who is going to have a positive influence in the locker room once he establishes himself.
How he fits: He is a big receiver who gives the Packers size and is a solid fit in their West Coast offense. This position wasn't a major need, but he was a highly productive player in college. They have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Koren Robinson and James Jones, but Nelson gives QB Aaron Rodgers another threat in the passing game. He also has added value as a punt returner.
56. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
What he brings: Brohm, like a lot of other young quarterbacks, can have a hard time beating pressure, doesn't have great mobility and takes some big hits. He also needs to improve his decision-making. On the flipside, he has excellent mechanics, puts great touch on his throws and is good at hitting his receivers in stride. In addition, he has good football smarts and reads defenses well.
How he fits: This is a good value pick by the Packers. Brohm clearly fell because there was a strong possibility of him being a first-rounder. Brohm has already played in a pro-style offense at Louisville, which has some similarities to Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is still a question mark as a starting quarterback, and this pick puts pressure on him.
60. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
What he brings: The argument can be made that Lee best fits in a Cover 2 scheme as he doesn't open his hips as well as some of the other corners in this class. However he has enough athletic ability and speed to develop into an effective No. 2 for a team that plays man coverage most of the time. In addition, there's a lot to like about his toughness, willingness to step up in run support and ability to contribute on special teams.
How he fits: With the aging Al Harris and Charles Woodson in Green Bay, this pick makes a lot of sense. He can also fill a role in the Packers' nickel and dime packages as a No. 3 or No. 4 corner. He will also have a role on special teams. This is a good pick for a defense that is getting younger and keeps getting better.
91. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas
What he brings: Although he plays with a mean streak, Finley's undersized and lacks great lower-body strength. He isn't going to drive defenders off the ball. However, he has very good athletic ability for his size and the potential to develop into a crisp route-runner. In addition, he plays faster than his timed-speed suggests and can work the seam.
How he fits: The Packers play a lot of two-tight end sets and lack depth after moving Bubba Franks. Finley has a lot of versatility and once he learns the system, he will complement Donald Lee. But he is a raw player who will have to develop quickly in order to contribute in his first year.
102. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
Thompson is not a great run-stopper due to a lack of size. He has the frame to get bigger, though, and he is relentless. He will improve as he gets bigger. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is getting up there in years, and the Packers are obviously building depth along the defensive line.
135. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Josh Sitton, OT, Central Florida
Sitton has excellent size but lacks ideal explosiveness and range, so he might be a better fit at guard.
150. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Breno Giacomini, OT, Louisville
Giacomini is a developmental prospect who needs to learn how to control his emotions. He needs to improve his punch, but has an excellent frame with long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket.
Green Bay (From St. Louis through Minnesota) Matt Flynn QB LSU
He has smooth feet and has a relatively quick delivery. He shows excellent touch on intermediate throws, good poise and has adequate speed to create if nothing is open. But he lacks elite arm strength, will struggle making some NFL throws and tends to hold onto the ball too long.
Vikings
43. Minnesoata Vikings
The pick: Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
What he brings: Johnson doesn't have great man-to-man cover skills and is going to have trouble matching up with slot receivers. Additionally, you would have liked to see him make more big plays against inferior competition. However, he plays bigger than his size would suggest and is a sound tackler who can line up in the box. He has the range to cover the deep half of the field.
How he fits: The Vikings were active at safety in the offseason, adding Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware. Johnson gives them a physical safety who can play near the line of scrimmage or as a two-deep safety. This guy is the eventual replacement to Darren Sharper at strong safety.
137. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: John David Booty, QB, USC
Booty doesn't have elite arm strength or size, but moves his feet well and is accurate, making him a perfect fit for the Vikings' West Coast offense.
152. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
Guion is a one-gap defensive tackle with an explosive first step who can make plays in the backfield. He plays to the whistle and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly, but doesn't have great size. He struggles to anchor when teams run at him.
187. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
He is an excellent value at this point in the draft. While he doesn't have great lateral mobility, he masks this weakness by locking out his arms and riding pass rushers down the line. He is also a physical drive-blocker. Vikings now have an heir apparent for an aging Matt Birk.
193. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State
He is a big-play threat both as a receiver and a punt-retuner, but he's also undersized and lacks ideal upper-body strength. He is going to have problems beating press coverage and he will get muscled out of some routes.