PI ARTICLE ON GB'S EARLY DRAFT WISH LIST

[TOP HAT]

IS HE KIDDING? WE NEED A PASS RUSHING DE

DEFENSIVE LINE
This is arguably the strongest position in the draft.

Clemson's Gaines Adams (6-4½, 260) and Georgia's Quentin Moses (6-4, 254) are two senior defensive ends with tremendous explosion likely to go in, or around, the top 10.

Michigan's LaMarr Woodley (6-2, 274), Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri (6-4, 270) and Nebraska's Adam Carriker are all probable first-rounders, as well.

Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock (6-3, 297) has been one of the country's fastest risers this fall.

A group that also includes Florida's Marcus Thomas (6-2½, 288), North Carolina State's DeMarcus Taylor (6-2, 310), Tennessee's Justin Harrell and Louisville's Amobi Okoye (6-1, 317) could crack the first round, as well.

The top underclassmen are USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265) and Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch (6-6, 331).


EDITING: With this above average talent at dl, Packers' level of need is 10 for an impact dl and game-changer among its front four to get the worst pass defense turned around, along with needs at cb, wr, and rb.

[BooHoo]

I think Fergy will be back next year. We are thin at that position.

Our once solid/thick RB position is now thin also. It doesn't take long for things to change. It is a constant struggle to maintain quality at every position.

[vince]

So they've ranked RB, CB, WR & S (tie) and the top priorites...interesting. I don't entirely disagree, but I think DL is a bigger need than they do.

Actually I think the D line and O line could use at least one more player. KGB probably should be a passing down specialist, and behind KGB and Kampman we have bodies. The O line is poor, and Clifton's days are injury-shortened. Maybe they sign a FA, but I bet TT drafts someone.

I'm thinking GB goes 5-11 and falls between picks 6-10. With that, I wouldn't be surprised if TT traded down for addt'l picks, and took RB, CB, DL & WR in the some order in the 1st 3 rounds, with another trade down and OL, S, CB, WR picks on Day 2. Drafting players that fill out the bottom half of the roster as athletic rookies can go a long way to building depth & developing eventual starters. (Well, at least it beats signing Earl Little.) It takes time, patience, hard work, and lots of luck.

I think this post is right on, run pMc, except I think we'll get one or two more wins this year than you do.

I also think that our cap situation will dictate that we go after some studs in free agency in the offseason, which will, to some extent, dictate the draft priorities.

I also like Top Hat's analysis is dead on regarding how much stronger our D will be when we can develop a consistently strong push and pressure from the front 4. That's HUGE, and IMO, should be a priority for this team next offseason.

[green_bowl_packer]

Samardzjia would be a risky pick for us or any other team assuming we pick in the middle to late part of the first round. He's already been drafted to play MLB by the Cubs, and if he gets in a situation where he doesn't like the team that selects him he just takes his huge baseball bonus and waits it out like Drew Henson of Michigan did. We can't afford to waste picks at this point. I'd go RB, DL, CB, WR, and then S. We need someone who causes havoc in the backfield on the DL in a bad way.

[Bretsky]

Samardzjia would be a risky pick for us or any other team assuming we pick in the middle to late part of the first round. He's already been drafted to play MLB by the Cubs, and if he gets in a situation where he doesn't like the team that selects him he just takes his huge baseball bonus and waits it out like Drew Henson of Michigan did. We can't afford to waste picks at this point. I'd go RB, DL, CB, WR, and then S. We need someone who causes havoc in the backfield on the DL in a bad way.

Good points.

I always start by saying I want a difference maker. A playmaker. Ideally that is either a RB or DL because having somebody who consistently excels there would help turn this team around the most. I wouldn't eliminate a WR if he's the best guy where we are drafting. Ditto for CB and S as well.

B

[Fritz]

The game is won and lost primarily in the trenches. I'd love to see the Packers find a game-changing defensive lineman, whether an end or a tackle. You can get a corner in the third or fourth round and let him develop a bit, but it's harder to find a stud d-lineman later in the draft.

Is this Adam Carriker any relation to Alonzo (or was it Alphonso?) Carriker?

[run pMc]

I wondered the same thing...whether he was related to Alphonso.

As my previous post suggests, I'm in agreement with others here who think we need to strengthen our DL. Playoff teams can reliably get pressure with their front 4. IMO GB doesn't have those 4 guys on the roster yet...what I saw vs. MIA (Seemed like Sanders was sending 5-6 guys about 30% of the time vs. a suspect MIA OL) would seem to confirm that.

TT better do his homework...GB needs playmakers on D, and drafting DL guys seems like a total crapshoot.