Rastak
05-18-2006, 11:29 AM
They are slowly doing each team....enjoy...
Following last year's draft the Green Bay Packers were widely criticized for not bringing in more immediate help for Brett Favre but that won't be the case this time around. In fact, the Packers brought in five players in the first three rounds who could end up starting for them as rookies, which would be quite a feat. Not only did the Packers draft quality in 2006 but they also brought in quantity, finishing with a total of twelve selections thanks to a number of trades.
It seems as though the minute the draft order was finalized everybody and their grandmother had Ohio St. linebacker A.J. Hawk down for the Packers in their mock drafts and as it turns out everyone was right. It came very close to not happening however because had the Texans taken Reggie Bush with the #1 overall pick the Saints were going to take Hawk, who they coveted, at #2. Hawk is quite a player and anyone who watched the Buckeyes play this past season would be hard-pressed to not like what he brings to the table. A great all-around 'backer with a knack for being around the action and making plays, Hawk is exactly what the Green Bay defense needed and he'll provide them with an instant starter and impact player in the front seven. With the first of two second round picks the Packers chose offensive tackle Daryn Colledge of Boise St., who will likely move inside to guard at the pro level. An undersized but very athletic and mobile offensive lineman, Colledge is a perfect fit for the Packers blocking scheme and should compete with Adrian Klemm for the starting job at left guard right away. With their next pick Green Bay chose Western Michigan wide receiver Greg Jennings, who will compete for the starting spot next to Donald Driver that opened up after Javon Walker was traded. Jennings doesn't have great speed but his hands are excellent and he does all the little things like run good routes, which makes him an ideal fit for the West Coast Offense. Personally I felt Jennings was a tad overrated but Green Bay certainly needed some help at the position and he was widely regarded as a 2nd round pick so I can't be too hard on them. Three picks and three potential starters, now that is what I call a fast start!
In round three the Packers brought in some more help at linebacker in Abdul Hodge of Iowa, who was extremely productive and could have even gone a little higher. Hodge can play either the middle or outside and with the Packers his best shot might be to battle Ben Taylor for a starting job. With their next choice the Packers got some additional help along the offensive line by selecting center Jason Spitz of Louisville. A versatile player with a mean streak, the Packers lost Mike Flanagan, their starter in the pivot, as a free agent so Spitz could battle former seventh rounder Scott Wells for the starting job early on. With their first pick on the second day in round four the Packers grabbed another wide receiver in T.C.U.'s Cory Rodgers to bolster their depth. Rodgers came out early as a junior and saw his stock slip a bit when he didn't run nearly as well as everyone expected but he plays faster than he times and is also an excellent return man.
With their second choice in round four the team brought in an interesting prospect by selecting Will Blackmon of Boston College. A cornerback for most of his career, Blackmon moved to wide receiver as a senior to help his team but saw his draft stock drop as a result. It looks like the Packers plan to move him back to defense, which I think is his best position, and he could compete for the dime job while also contributing as a top return man on special teams. In round five Green Bay chose one of the top sleepers in the draft in quarterback Ingle Martin of Furman, who really boosted his stock with a strong showing at the Scouting Combine. After starting his career with the Florida Gators Martin transferred down in competition and put up some impressive numbers. With Craig Nall moving on as a free agent Martin will likely be their #3 and a long-term developmental guy behind Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. With their second pick in round five the Packers reached for Nevada offensive tackle Tony Moll, who was a fringe prospect at best. A former tight end, Moll is very athletic and seems to fit the mold of what they look for in the position but won't make much of an impact this year.
In round six the Packers brought in some additional defensive help by selecting defensive tackle Johnny Jolly of Texas A&M and safety Tyrone Culver of Fresno St. Jolly is a good athlete for a man his size and dropped a little further than expected due to some injury concerns. With no true stud in the middle of their defense alongside free agent acquisition Ryan Pickett there could be opportunity for advancement if he's healthy. Culver enters a crowded situation at safety and at best it looks like he'll be battling last year's fourth round pick Marviel Underwood for a backup job behind Nick Collins. With their final pick of the draft Green Bay brought in another sleeper by choosing defensive end Dave Tollefson of NW Missouri St. A productive sack artist at his level, Tollefson is undersized and will be more of a long-term project if he is able to make the team.
Even though their performance fell off a bit in the later rounds the Packers did more than enough early on to earn a very solid grade, attacking their three major areas of need at linebacker, offensive line and wide receiver repeatedly. Look for Hawk to start immediately with Colledge, Jennings, Hodge and Spitz all having a legitimate shot at breaking into the starting lineup as well at some point as rookies. Even though their picks weren't flashy they are solid football players who will help provide a solid base not only in 2006 but for years to come as well.
GRADE: B+
Following last year's draft the Green Bay Packers were widely criticized for not bringing in more immediate help for Brett Favre but that won't be the case this time around. In fact, the Packers brought in five players in the first three rounds who could end up starting for them as rookies, which would be quite a feat. Not only did the Packers draft quality in 2006 but they also brought in quantity, finishing with a total of twelve selections thanks to a number of trades.
It seems as though the minute the draft order was finalized everybody and their grandmother had Ohio St. linebacker A.J. Hawk down for the Packers in their mock drafts and as it turns out everyone was right. It came very close to not happening however because had the Texans taken Reggie Bush with the #1 overall pick the Saints were going to take Hawk, who they coveted, at #2. Hawk is quite a player and anyone who watched the Buckeyes play this past season would be hard-pressed to not like what he brings to the table. A great all-around 'backer with a knack for being around the action and making plays, Hawk is exactly what the Green Bay defense needed and he'll provide them with an instant starter and impact player in the front seven. With the first of two second round picks the Packers chose offensive tackle Daryn Colledge of Boise St., who will likely move inside to guard at the pro level. An undersized but very athletic and mobile offensive lineman, Colledge is a perfect fit for the Packers blocking scheme and should compete with Adrian Klemm for the starting job at left guard right away. With their next pick Green Bay chose Western Michigan wide receiver Greg Jennings, who will compete for the starting spot next to Donald Driver that opened up after Javon Walker was traded. Jennings doesn't have great speed but his hands are excellent and he does all the little things like run good routes, which makes him an ideal fit for the West Coast Offense. Personally I felt Jennings was a tad overrated but Green Bay certainly needed some help at the position and he was widely regarded as a 2nd round pick so I can't be too hard on them. Three picks and three potential starters, now that is what I call a fast start!
In round three the Packers brought in some more help at linebacker in Abdul Hodge of Iowa, who was extremely productive and could have even gone a little higher. Hodge can play either the middle or outside and with the Packers his best shot might be to battle Ben Taylor for a starting job. With their next choice the Packers got some additional help along the offensive line by selecting center Jason Spitz of Louisville. A versatile player with a mean streak, the Packers lost Mike Flanagan, their starter in the pivot, as a free agent so Spitz could battle former seventh rounder Scott Wells for the starting job early on. With their first pick on the second day in round four the Packers grabbed another wide receiver in T.C.U.'s Cory Rodgers to bolster their depth. Rodgers came out early as a junior and saw his stock slip a bit when he didn't run nearly as well as everyone expected but he plays faster than he times and is also an excellent return man.
With their second choice in round four the team brought in an interesting prospect by selecting Will Blackmon of Boston College. A cornerback for most of his career, Blackmon moved to wide receiver as a senior to help his team but saw his draft stock drop as a result. It looks like the Packers plan to move him back to defense, which I think is his best position, and he could compete for the dime job while also contributing as a top return man on special teams. In round five Green Bay chose one of the top sleepers in the draft in quarterback Ingle Martin of Furman, who really boosted his stock with a strong showing at the Scouting Combine. After starting his career with the Florida Gators Martin transferred down in competition and put up some impressive numbers. With Craig Nall moving on as a free agent Martin will likely be their #3 and a long-term developmental guy behind Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. With their second pick in round five the Packers reached for Nevada offensive tackle Tony Moll, who was a fringe prospect at best. A former tight end, Moll is very athletic and seems to fit the mold of what they look for in the position but won't make much of an impact this year.
In round six the Packers brought in some additional defensive help by selecting defensive tackle Johnny Jolly of Texas A&M and safety Tyrone Culver of Fresno St. Jolly is a good athlete for a man his size and dropped a little further than expected due to some injury concerns. With no true stud in the middle of their defense alongside free agent acquisition Ryan Pickett there could be opportunity for advancement if he's healthy. Culver enters a crowded situation at safety and at best it looks like he'll be battling last year's fourth round pick Marviel Underwood for a backup job behind Nick Collins. With their final pick of the draft Green Bay brought in another sleeper by choosing defensive end Dave Tollefson of NW Missouri St. A productive sack artist at his level, Tollefson is undersized and will be more of a long-term project if he is able to make the team.
Even though their performance fell off a bit in the later rounds the Packers did more than enough early on to earn a very solid grade, attacking their three major areas of need at linebacker, offensive line and wide receiver repeatedly. Look for Hawk to start immediately with Colledge, Jennings, Hodge and Spitz all having a legitimate shot at breaking into the starting lineup as well at some point as rookies. Even though their picks weren't flashy they are solid football players who will help provide a solid base not only in 2006 but for years to come as well.
GRADE: B+