Packers 2011 Draft Needs

[Deputy Nutz]

Ted Thompson likes to point to his big board when he takes a player in the first round, but yet he never goes off the charts to draft a position of need, and never misses an opportunity to draft a player in the first round that has the ability and roster avaliability to contribute during the season.

His biggest head scratcher was trading out of the first round in 2008 and drafting Jordy Nelson. At the time the Packers had Driver and 1st year breakout Greg Jennings and potential talent in James Jones. Nelson proved to be a pass catching threat in the Super Bowl leading the receiving core to a championship.

Thompson is going to take the best available as long as it makes sense. Some claim that running back should be priorty, but Ryan Grant is a complete back and James Starks was good enough to dominate in the playoffs. I just don't see Thompson burning the first round pick on a running back unless Ryan Grant is let go. Sure I see Thompson looking later in the draft at running back, but if a need position is staring him in the face and a player is there on his board he is going to take him.

Draft Need #1,

Offensive Line, the Packers have a four starters from their offensive line signed for 2011, but Chad Clifton is in his last year physically and a breakdown this season is most likely probable. Colledge is a free agent and if he gets big money some where else the Packers will most likely let him leave. Spitz will also be gone. Spitz underperforned for the past two years mostly do to nagging injuries. The Packers do have young talent with minimal experience, but outside of TJ Lang who struggled last year playing multiple positions isn't being groomed at this point to take over any one spot.

If Thompson feels comfortable with his younger players on the offensive line stepping up then you will see him pass on some of the offensive linemen avaliable in the first round.

Draft Need #2

Wide Receiver, interesting need for the Packers but James Jones is not signed and this is a offense the functions best out of the spread, operating with four talented receivers. Driver was injured with nagging leg injuries last year, he will come into camp in shape but he might not be able to make it through the season without hampering his play. Both top tier wide receivers will be gone by the time the Packers select with the 32nd pick and don't have enough to move up far enough in the draft to get one of the top two first round talents. Expect Thompson to look in the early rounds for another receiver that can run polished routes and can catch the football.

Draft Need #3

Outside Linebacker, The Packers have a lot of depth at OLB due to a number of injuries but nobody played effective enough to claim the other OLB spot opposite of Mathews. For Mathews to be effective the Packers defense needs a linebacker that can apply pressure from the other side.

Draft Need #4

Cornerback, Sam Sheilds came out of no where last year to claim the nickel spot and show dynamic ability to make plays. Sure he is still raw but physical talents like him are rare at any level as long as he keeps developing his technique and awarness he will become a starting corner for the Packers. Woodson is getting long in the tooth and needs to play closer to the line of scrimmage and free lance more. He is losing the ability to match up with other teams #1 or #2 receiver. His play is still consider game changing but he can no longer be considered a shut down corner. In this league a team needs a solid core of 4 cornerbacks, the Packers have three and need one more especially considering Woodson's age, and Shields inexperience.

Draft Need #5

Defensive End, others have this position as a bigger need especially with Cullen Jenkins most likely leaving for free agency but the Packers got along just fine without him and have several young talented defensive ends on the roster plus the play of Journey man in Mr. Green. If by chance the Packer can land a top talent in this year's draft then by all means I can see Thompson grabbing a 5 technique end.

Draft Need #6

Running Back, The Packers are most likely going to have to say goodbye to Brandon Jackson, although Jackson's ability to pick up blitzes and play on third down should not be over looked, it is tough to find a young back with these qualities. Grant is still the number one back and some experts don't like Grant, but running the football 600 time a season is not one of the Packers goals. The Packers need running back that can block, catch the football, and get tough yards at the line of scrimmage. Grant and Starks are both big backs that can attack the line of scrimmage.

Draft Need #7

Tight End, Finely is coming of injury but he still one of the biggest threats in the game at tight end and an elite weapon for the Packers offense, but he does the Packers no good if he is injured. Quarless is another in the mold of Finely. Currently he is an underachiever with talent to stretch the field. He needs to become a better blocker and hold onto passes. After those two the Packers have very little in depth, and Tom Crabtree is a try hard type player, but even his blocking is average. I would be interested to see if the Packers look at this position early in the draft. A player Thompson should have a bit of interest in is Wisconsin's own Lance Kendricks who is a tremendous blocker but can also run routes and has hands like a wide receiver.

[VermontPackFan]

1. OL
2. CB
3. DL
4. WR
5. OLB
6. QB

[Lurker64]

OL
OLB
KR
DE
WR
KR
CB
RB
ILB
NT
S
QB
K
FB
P
LS

In order.

[RashanGary]

OL (need a starter and depth)
OLB (need a starter)
DE (need depth because one injury is trouble)
CB (need depth because one injury is trouble)

The other positions we have starters and can handle an injury. Of course, stars anywhere are welcomed and depending how the draft falls, it could determine who we keep in free agency.

[RashanGary]

If we get a WR, fine, I'd be happy with it, but if not, just keep Jones around. OL and OLB we flat out don't have anyone who can play. DE, I just don't think keeping Jenkins is much of an option. He's getting older and is going to demand a lot of money. A young DE would be a great pickup for us.


I just saw one of McGinn's scouts said DE was our #1 need. He didn't give Neal much credit. I think we're a little more comfortable with Neal than maybe the rest of the NFL knows, but DE is still a need.

[King Friday]

Some claim that running back should be priorty, but Ryan Grant is a complete back and James Starks was good enough to dominate in the playoffs.

I think it is a stretch to claim Grant is a COMPLETE back. The guy is a liability as a receiver out of the backfield. He really can't be on the field on 3rd down, as he is a mediocre pass blocker and receiver. Ahman Green was a complete back...Grant doesn't compare. Also, I fail to see how Starks was DOMINANT in the playoffs. Yeah, he had a great game right off the bat when no one knew who the hell he was and wasn't expecting him to be productive...but he was far less noticeable the rest of the way. Props to the kid for playing hard and having good instincts to pick up good yardage on most plays...but it is a real stretch to say he dominated. The way Rodgers and our passing game was playing, anyone with reasonably ability would've done what Starks did IMO.

That isn't to say that we need to draft a RB in the first round though. Grant may not be complete, but he's more than capable enough when combined with our prolific passing game to be a threat. Losing Jackson would be a crushing blow to our offense without a dominant OL and no other capable blocking RB. Honestly, I would think Thompson will try hard to keep him. After that though, I think RB could easily be the choice at any other point in the draft.

I agree that OL is the top priority...AGAIN. Got lucky to have Bulaga fall to us last year but we still need more help. With a young, premier QB on the roster you must build a capable OL to protect that guy for the next 10 years.

WR will always be a position of need with Rodgers at the helm. Ron Wolf hurt this franchise by not giving Favre enough weapons in his prime. The Packers could've been a dynasty, but instead crumbled when the defense faltered from elite staus because Freeman and Schroeder are hardly the talent that Driver, Jennings, Jones and Nelson are. Wolf has been very open about his error, and I'm sure his disciple Thompson listened closely. His selection of Nelson when the Packers didn't seem to NEED more talent at the position is IMO a direct correlation to the Wolf error. Thompson didn't want to make the same error with Rodgers, and we see how it is paying off. With Driver getting older and Jones not certain to stick around long term, WR is certainly a position of priority IMO. Getting a kid with great kick return skills would also be a plus.

On defense, we can use depth just about anywhere but I don't see too many glaring needs. OLB, CB, DE are all positions you can never have enough talent at in a 3-4. With a very solid overall roster, Thompson is in a position to truly take BPA everywhere. That is a good sign for us IMO.

[Deputy Nutz]

I believe Starks lead the NFL in playoff rushing yards in 2010

[Lurker64]

I believe Starks lead the NFL in playoff rushing yards in 2010

How much of that was "Starks played in one more game than every other playoff running back"?

[Deputy Nutz]

Grant is a 1200 yard back when healthy which he has been until he broke his leg. Broken bones heal and if he wasn't put on IR he could have contributed at the end of 2010. Grant isn't dynamic, but he gets the job done, and to be honest I don't recall him being abused in the passing game. Under McCarthy the Packers don't swing the ball out to their RBs as much, they catch the ball in the screen game and that is about it. Jackson did a fine job, and I wouldn't hesitate to bring him back for a million a year to be the third down back.

I guess with the season being so messed up with the lockout if the Packers strike out in the WRs department they can resign Jones, but will have less bargining power.

[Lurker64]

I guess with the season being so messed up with the lockout if the Packers strike out in the WRs department they can resign Jones, but will have less bargining power.

There are definitely worse bargaining positions than "hey, you want to come and win another ring?" though. I don't think that Jones is necessarily going to be the hottest WR commodity in FA if and when FA happens anyway. Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice, and probably Braylon Edwards will get more while guys like Steve Smith, Malcom Floyd, and Lance Moore are in about that same tier as James Jones.

[Bretsky]

I'd think anything extended would hurt UFA's like Jones. I could see TT signing guys like Jones or Colledge to one year deals and then they can shop free next year. Jenkins, IMO is good as gone and will be highly sought after.

Hey, when is the final draft poll starting ? Four days and counting til pick 32 or TT robbing somebody when they trade up

[Deputy Nutz]

Jones won a ring already, his is at the end of his deal as a third round pick. He isn't making jack right now and is going to want to get paid. Jones is a good player and teams will take a chance on him regardless of his hands, GMs believe their coaches have the cure for the hands. Jones is looking at a 5 year, 30-32 million dollar deal. It isn't outrageous but do the Packers want to pay for a player entering his prime, or take a chance on a wide receiver in the draft? I expect Ted will try his method of taking a WR in the second or thrid round,

[Fritz]

Ted, when approaching a GM about a possible trade: "I have needs, and you have needs."

[Deputy Nutz]

This team has depth and had to rely on it to win a Super Bowl, but going into the current season a lot of the depth needs to get a little more talented to have reliable production for 16 games plus the playoffs. It is one thing to step in and play 4 or 5 games, it is another to play at a high level for 16 games. The Packers have holes and they need to shore them up with this draft. They don't have as many holes so possible draft day trades may be made to get a player with a little more impact.

[King Friday]

I believe Starks lead the NFL in playoff rushing yards in 2010

C'mon Nutz. The guy had ONE good game which by itself wasn't even dominant. 127 yds, 0 TD.

After that he had three rather mediocre games where he put up 66, 74 and 52 yards, finishing with a modest 3.9 yards per carry and and only 1 TD in 4 games.

The only reason he led in yardage in the playoffs was that he played in 4 games, while most other RBs played in only 1 or 2 games.

[Deputy Nutz]

Ok so the guy is bum, trade up and get Ingram. He started 4 playoffs games and got the ball put in his hands when it mattered, at the end of the Super Bowl, at the end of the Eagles game, and also at the end of the Bears game. The organization trusted him in the playoffs. I guess that is what I am saying. His roster spot is secure going into 2011, he certainly isn't the fluke Samkon Gado was.

Two capable running backs I certainly don't see a need to draft a running back in the 1st round causing a log jam for what minimal carries there are in Green Bay.

[Tarlam!]

I love what TT has to say about "needs":


“You don’t know what your needs are going to be,” Thompson said. “You might think you have a need at the end of April, or you may think you have a strong position at the end of April, but you don’t know where that’s going to be come August 1st, as we found out this season.”

Apart from QB, FB and Specialist, all's fair game in round one.

[SnakeLH2006]

OL, Pass Rushing OLB, DL...draft the big guys.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I just saw one of McGinn's scouts said DE was our #1 need. He didn't give Neal much credit. I think we're a little more comfortable with Neal than maybe the rest of the NFL knows, but DE is still a need.

If this is the quote you are talking about, I don't think it was so much that he didn't give Neal much credit. I like Neal, but I'd agree with the scout. There isn't much tape on him, so you can be certain he'll effectively replace Jenkins. Also, he's likely not going to be as good as Jenkins. Not right away. Jenkins is a really good 3-4 DE. Plus, Neal was injured and who knows how he'll respond to that injury. That being said, I liked what I saw of Neal. If things go well with the injury, I think it's possible he can be a good replacement for Jenkins.


There's not enough tape on (Mike) Neal to put him in Jenkins' category.

[RashanGary]

If this is the quote you are talking about, I don't think it was so much that he didn't give Neal much credit. I like Neal, but I'd agree with the scout. There isn't much tape on him, so you can be certain he'll effectively replace Jenkins. Also, he's likely not going to be as good as Jenkins. Not right away. Jenkins is a really good 3-4 DE. Plus, Neal was injured and who knows how he'll respond to that injury. That being said, I liked what I saw of Neal. If things go well with the injury, I think it's possible he can be a good replacement for Jenkins.

I still think it's a need, one of our only real needs, but not #1. OLB and OL are big needs too. But what does that guy know :)

[Scott Campbell]

Jones is looking at a 5 year, 30-32 million dollar deal.


You can get similar production/talent out of guys making 1/4 of that. I'd let him walk rather than have to pay a Superbowl premium for him.

[Scott Campbell]

I can't take any more of this crap from Jones. Way too many of these.


http://www.nfl.com/videos/green-bay-packers/09000d5d81e2cb38

[Lurker64]

I can't take any more of this crap from Jones. Way too many of these.


http://www.nfl.com/videos/green-bay-packers/09000d5d81e2cb38

The TD he dropped against the Eagles, combined with that one make it so I won't be that sad to see him go.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think OL, WR, and CB might be a bigger need than OLB (meaning we can get by better right now without having a stud OLB opposite Matthews), but I've very intrigued by the possibility of adding a really good ROLB. I think our LB corps could then carry our defense, year in and year out. Much like Pittsburgh's LB corps has.

[Lurker64]

We need to draft a CB, since you always need to draft CBs (they're like OL in that way)... but I don't really see an immediate need for one. Woodson, Williams, and Shields are a good trio and 2/3 of it is young. So we need a backup nickel/dime corner who can be groomed into competing with Shields for a starting role. I don't see that meriting a particularly high pick unless there's exceptional value at some point in the draft (If A.J Green, Von Miller, J.J. Watt, and 28 longsnappers go in the first 31 picks, I'll set fire to Ted Thompson's house if he doesn't grab Patrick Peterson).

[Scott Campbell]

The TD he dropped against the Eagles, combined with that one make it so I won't be that sad to see him go.


At least we won those two games. How bout that fumble against the Bears?

[mraynrand]

At least we won those two games. How bout that fumble against the Bears?


Or the two in 2007. Or the drop vs. the Giants. SC, totally agree with your 'Superbowl premium' assessment. I have confidence TT will find someone to take his place. Best o' luck JJ - unless we play you.

[Deputy Nutz]

I have no issues with the Packers looking to go in a different direction than Jones, but you need to land a receiver that is ready to play and can at least be a servicable 4th receiver, it isn't easy finding that in the 3rd or 4th round, heck most WR take a couple of years to mature anyways, how big of an impact will that have on the Packers offense? I deal with the realities that no matter how good TT is at drafting talent, talent still takes a while to develop at the NFL level. If the Packers have the money I say spend it on Jones because at the very least you know what you have. He is the most valuable of the Packers free agents.

[Scott Campbell]

I have no issues with the Packers looking to go in a different direction than Jones, but you need to land a receiver that is ready to play and can at least be a servicable 4th receiver, it isn't easy finding that in the 3rd or 4th round, heck most WR take a couple of years to mature anyways, how big of an impact will that have on the Packers offense? I deal with the realities that no matter how good TT is at drafting talent, talent still takes a while to develop at the NFL level. If the Packers have the money I say spend it on Jones because at the very least you know what you have. He is the most valuable of the Packers free agents.

I don't think he's half the player that Jenkins is.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

We need to draft a CB, since you always need to draft CBs (they're like OL in that way)... but I don't really see an immediate need for one. Woodson, Williams, and Shields are a good trio and 2/3 of it is young. So we need a backup nickel/dime corner who can be groomed into competing with Shields for a starting role. I don't see that meriting a particularly high pick unless there's exceptional value at some point in the draft (If A.J Green, Von Miller, J.J. Watt, and 28 longsnappers go in the first 31 picks, I'll set fire to Ted Thompson's house if he doesn't grab Patrick Peterson).


I'm throwing up a little bit as I say this, but what about Jarrett Bush?

I think the coaches see his improved play as a possibility he could be the #4.

[swede]

I'm throwing up a little bit as I say this, but what about Jarrett Bush?

I think the coaches see his improved play as a possibility he could be the #4.

I thought the same thing, but, as Beaver would say, I didn't want Lumpy and Eddie and the guys giving me the business.

Bush love is still taboo.

Unlike Ahmad Carroll who had a talent for getting worse, Bush seems to be learning slowly but surely.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Anybody in love with any of the wideouts at the end of the first round? This Baldwin character is intriguing. He's a primadonna, but the scouts I read don't think he's get in legal problems bad. Maybe he has a little JerMike in him. I read that Titus Young is quick, has good enough size, and runs good routes. Sounds a bit like Greg Jennings.

[RashanGary]

Salas and Pettis have the Jordy/Jones type write ups. Natural hands in college, nack for getting open, solid overall athletes. . . . I like those two guys. D1 WR's. . . . I don't know, I'm hoping for a big guy. You don't really get as many good big guys later in the draft.

Carpenter, Watson, Wilkerson are a few big guys who could be there. If a run on QB's happens, something else big and talented could drop. That's my hope.

D2, ideally, would be another talented big guy, but I'd be much more open to a WR or RB there.

[Smidgeon]

Anybody in love with any of the wideouts at the end of the first round? This Baldwin character is intriguing. He's a primadonna, but the scouts I read don't think he's get in legal problems bad. Maybe he has a little JerMike in him. I read that Titus Young is quick, has good enough size, and runs good routes. Sounds a bit like Greg Jennings.

Personally, I like the idea of Baldwin. And I think the Receiving corps is strong enough to keep him in line. If they won't Edgar Bennett will...

There's no room for divas on the team. That starts with McCarthy and goes through Rodgers on the Offense. I think it he wasn't too much of a problem, his talent is worth a flier.

[Tarlam!]

There's no room for divas on the team.

I agree with you, but I admit to worrying about Finley in this regard. The evidence isn't clear - yet. I worry about his demeanor if he has an all-world year. Rodgers paid him plenty of public attention, stroking his ego and maybe sending a signal to management.

[Deputy Nutz]

Jenkins is going to cost a bit much considering he hasn't had one healthy season since being named a full time starter. It is always something different so next season I am sure that a right forearm strain will keep him out of at least four games.

I wouldn't spend the 32nd draft pick on any receivers outside of the top two, maybe the 2nd or a 3rd.