Packers Draft Thoughts

Well, the NFL draft is over.  That stinks, in addition to that sham, the rookies aren't under contract and the undrafted guys can't sign free agent contracts. Disappointing is the word that comes to mind.  Earlier I did a mock draft for the Packers, Cardinals and Bills.  Now, I will go back through those, compare who I had in my mock to the team's pick and then toss my 20-20 pick in. (The 20-20 pick is who I would have picked based on who was really available at that spot.) 

The Packers draft, especially, could be confusing because of all the trades. So, what I will do is say who I would have picked if they had stayed and then who I would have picked with the trades.. I will evaluate the draft based on the real picks and not the picks that the teams had entering the draft.


32: Original Pick:  Martez Wilson, OLB, Illinois
Packers Pick: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
My based on available pick: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
--It's not that I think that Martez Wilson is really that bad (I can't believe he was a 3rd rounder), it's just that I didn't expect Sherrod to be there round 1. Seattle taking Carpenter really opened this up to Green Bay and gives them a bookend, hopefully, for the next decade with Buluga.

64:  Originial Pick: Chimidi Chekwa, CB, OSU 
Packers Pick: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
My based on available pick: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky.
--Again, I love Chekwa and think he could help the defense in the future, but are you joking? Cobb is an elite athlete and adds a HUGE slot dimension to Green Bay. His kick returning may be negated with the league's new rules, but he can return punts, and line up at RB.. AND QB. He may allow a wildcat formation to enter the mix, but his real value is what he can do after the catch and in GB's slant and crossing route passing game, look out.

96: Original Pick Niles Paul--WR--Nebraska.
Packers Pick: Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
My based on available pick: Chimidi Chekwah, DB, OSU
--A great place to pick, TONS of talent on the board. I don't need to even think about Paul because I have my WR.  Probably my least favorite or 2nd least favorite pick is Alex Green. I understand his average, he's a one cut guy, decent speed, good hands.. but to me, he seems like Ryan Grant and James Starks. The Packers already have two of him. Plus, I thought Chekwah could have gone a round earlier. I also really would have had to think about Bolling, Acho, Ballard AND Hunter. Great spot to pick.

129: Original Pick: Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska
Packers Pick: Traded
My based on available pick: Karl Klug
--Helu went way earlier, sadly. See below

131:  Original Pick: John Moffitt-C/G--Wisconsin.
Packers Pick: Davon House, CB, New Mexico St
My based on available pick: Karl Klug, DL, Iowa
--I'd give him a shot at the DL and I hate Iowa. I've watched this guy play for years though and think he could have a shot at the 5 technique in the NFL. He isn't huge, but he's a technician and works his butt off. At this stage of the draft, that's what I want.

141: Original Pick: (None, GB traded for this pick)
Packers Pick: DJ Williams, TE, Arkansas
My based on available pick: Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
--Ted Thompson has a strict under 5'10 policy; I make exemptions for guys like this. He's small but physical, not fast but quick. He can run, he can catch, he'll mix it up, he can return. He is a great change of pace back and gives me something other than the one cut straight ahead run into guys like Ryan Grant and James Starks.

163:  Original Pick: Derek Newton, OT, Arkansas State
Packers Pick: Traded
My based on available pick: Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC
--Are you joking? Kid can play football, I don't care how many linebackers are on the roster; he's instinctive and coached by a defensive mind at UNC. He'd be insurance to Bishop and Hawk and would allow the team to cut ties with perennial baby and headcase, Nick Barnett.

179: Original Pick: (None, part of trade)
Packers Pick: Caleb Schlauderaff, OL, Utah
My based on available pick: Steve Schilling, OL, Michigan
--I thought about Newton again knowing he could play RT or slide into guard, but I think Schilling is a bit more scrappy and that's the kind of player I prefer. Not an elite player, but he'll bust his butt and add some toughness to the interior of the Packers line.

186: Original Pick: (None, part of trade)
Packers pick: DJ Smith, LB, App. State
My based on available pick: Jerrell Powe, DL, Ole Miss
--David Carter got taken just before this pick, disappointing to me, as I wanted him at DT again. Instead, I settle for somewhat underachieving Powe to give me a HUUUUGE body at DT. As a spot guy, he should be motivated and play hard, conditioning won't be an issue since I have Raji already.

197:  Original Pick: David Carter, DT, UCLA.
Packers pick: Ricky Elmore, OLB, Arizona
My based on available pick: Ross Homan, LB, OSU
--Doubt he really fits my scheme, but I want smart, hard-working guys and that's what he is. I really like the Elmore pick, don't get me wrong... but I LOVE Homan and considered him the pick before.

204: Original Pick: Jermale Hines, S, OSU
Packers Pick: Traded
My based on available pick: Andrew Jackson, G, Fresno State
--Mean streak, not a mauler more of a zone guy but he's going to give you everything he has. Like most Packers linemen he could use some bulk and may get beat with the bullrush.. but hard not to like the value at this stage.

218: Original Pick: (none, part of trade)
Packers Pick: Ryan Taylor, TE, UNC
My based on available pick: Greg Romeus, DL, Pitt
--Mega talent and early production. Not huge, injuries may hurt how he runs, but it's the 7th round and I have a shot to add a sack specialist? Yes, please.

233: Original Pick: Scotty Tolzein, QB, Wisconsin
Packers Pick: Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State
My based on available pick: Scott Tolzein, QB, Wisconsin
--Should probably take Devlin but Tolzein is my guy. You won't find a smarter QB or a better person than this guy; as a 7th rounder.. I don't want distractions. I want something that's going to do the right thing.

My Trade free draft:
Derrek Sherrod, OT, Miss State
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
Chimidi Chekwah, DB, OSU
Karl Klug, DL, Iowa
Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC
Ross Homan, LB, OSU
Andrew Jackson, G, Fresno State
Scott Tolzein, QB, Wisconsin

My Packers real draft:
Derrek Sherrod, OT, Miss State
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
Chimidi Chekwa, DB, OSU
Karl Klug, DL, Iowa
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
Steve Schilling, OL, Michigan
Jerrell Powe, DL, Ole Miss
Ross Homan, LB, OSU
Greg Romeus, DL, Pitt
Scott Tolzein, QB, Wisconsin

--Can you tell I don't watch much small school football? Can you tell I watch a lot of the Big 10? Guess I need to watch more small schools next year. I should have gotten a safety, but there wasn't anything that I really wanted. I love my 1st 3 picks, Klug has a real shot. Rodgers is a change of pace the Packers haven't had in years. Schilling will compete up front. Powe is a monster body and Romeus has mega potential. I like it.