Sporting News : Tom Silverstein 4/14

Packers Team Report
4/14/2006

By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel


DRAFT BUZZ: G.M. Ted Thompson maintains he will take the highest-rated player on the team's draft board with the No. 5 overall pick, which could lead to the team taking a quarterback. If the top available player is a quarterback, it likely will be Vince Young of Texas. There would be considerable debate about drafting a quarterback in the first round for the second straight year. Trading down in the first round doesn't seem like much of an option unless it's only a few spots and an impact player still could be obtained, but expect the Packers to trade down after the first round to get more picks.

TARGETING: The Packers need impact players, and it doesn't matter whether they're on offense or defense. The top three targets are N.C. State DE Mario Williams, Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ohio State OLB A.J. Hawk. Ferguson would be an instant starter at right tackle and help solidify the line. Williams probably won't be available; besides, his inconsistency in college concerns the team. Hawk is the safe pick; his speed and agility fit the team's preferred mold for linebackers, and he would fill a major need. Teaming Hawk with Nick Barnett would give the defense one of the most athletic linebacker duos in the game. If the team trades down, Maryland TE Vernon Davis would be the most appealing option. He would give the offense a deep threat, something it could lack if WR Javon Walker holds out or hasn't recovered from his knee injury. Expect the team to select a speedy corner such as Antonio Cromartie of Florida State or Ashton Youboty of Ohio State in the second or third round--the team doesn't want Ahmad Carroll to start again, and it's unlikely it could find a starting-caliber corner any later than the third round. After the first pick, the team will target linebackers and guards--the most lacking areas on the roster--and fortify the offensive line.

I'm convinced that nobody knows which way Thompson is leaning, and U wouldn't be surprised at any of these guys: Mario Williams, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler, A.J. Hawk, Vernon Davis, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, or Michael Huff. I could say there is a need at every position--if they don't feel Rodgers is the answer. Williams and Hawk are obvious needs. You could move Tausch or put Ferguson at OG. Davis would give the team the stretch the field TE. You could draft Huff to play corner.