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Iyer's SportingBlog
32-day mock draft: What should Packers do at No. 16?
April 3, 2007
As we're about to hit the halfway point of our 32-day mock draft, let's take inventory of what's happened with the first 15 selections. It's Defense 8, Offense 7, so we're pretty balanced there. We've tapped into LSU and Michigan twice each; otherwise it's 11 picks from 11 different schools.
Picking in the middle of the first round will make things interesting for the Packers, as it can be a most unpredictable waiting game. Over the past 10 years, the No. 16 pick has been either a quick hit (Jevon Kearse, Julian Peterson, Santana Moss, Troy Polamalu) or a bad miss (Reidel Anthony, Kevin Dyson, Jason Allen).
The Packers' biggest need is some kind of spark. They were the prototypical 8-8 team last season as they were average both offensively and defensively. All in all, it was a pretty good first year for coach Mike McCarthy, and with ominous clouds hovering over Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit, Green Bay could easily sneak away with the weak NFC North in his second season.
The key, however, is getting past "average" and become more exciting. The Packers could use a big playmaking safety in that regard, but considering only one running back and two wide receivers have come off our mock board, I think offense is the better path.
Running back is an obvious need with the free-agent departure of Ahman Green, but I can't see the Pack taking a back such as Cal's Marshawn Lynch this high. They can get by with a committee of Vernand Morency, Noah Herron and some complementary back they draft later. Besides, Lynch (5-11, 215) isn't that different of a body from Morency (5-9, 212). With the Packers' zone-blocking scheme, they should be able to produce with a variety of "system" runners.
LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe sounds like a better option. He's a big, explosive target made for the red zone, someone who can play off what Donald Driver and Greg Jennings do on the perimeter to produce in key situations over the middle. Bowe would be a great way to go, but I just happen to like one pass-catching athlete a bit better.
Final decision: Miami (Fla.) TE Greg Olsen. The Packers have had some good success with another former Hurricane, Bubba Franks, for seven seasons. But Franks' role as a receiver has diminished the past two years -- he's coming off back-to-back career-low 25-catch efforts and for the first time, went without a TD in '06. David Martin looked like a promising replacement, but he left for Miami's pro team as a free agent.
One of the popular scoring strikes Brett Favre has thrown over the years is the West Coast staple "sprint option right", often going to tight ends -- Franks, Martin, and before them, Mark Chmura. Considering the talent Driver, Jennings and even Morency bring to the passing game, Olsen can find room to operate in the Packers' offense and find himself often as an open target.
Olsen was ridiculously good in his postseason workouts, dazzling everyone as one of the draft's best all-around athletes. He may need time to develop as a blocker to play full-time -- something with which Franks and McCarthy will help him -- but Olsen has the speed, explosiveness and receiving skills to make an impact as a second tight end/slot option in third down/red zone situations. The Pack are in position to make one last playoff push with Favre as their quarterback, and giving him a immediate playmaker is their best possible move.
Past picks
1. Raiders, QB JaMarcus Russell
2. Lions, DE Gaines Adams
3. Browns, RB Adrian Peterson
4. Bucs, WR Calvin Johnson
5. Cardinals, OT Joe Thomas
6. Redskins, DE Jamaal Anderson
7. Vikings, CB Leon Hall
8. Falcons, S LaRon Landry
9. Dolphins, OT Levi Brown
10. Texans, WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr.
11. 49ers, DT Alan Branch
12. Bills, ILB Patrick Willis
13. Rams, DT Amobi Okoye
14. Panthers, QB Brady Quinn
15. Steelers, OLB Lawrence Timmons
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