Tweet
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.
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.
Comment