Packers Post-NFL Combine 7 Round Mock Draft

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The NFL Combine took place last week which showcased many NFL hopefuls that were judged on various drills, tests, and questions. Since we're just ten days away from free agency starting and sixty nine days away from the NFL Draft, here is my second-to-last Packers Mock Draft I'll be doing until draft day rolls in.

Photo: ESPN

Round 1, Pick 21 - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

No defensive lineman's stock has risen more than Aaron Donald's. Some will question whether he'll even make it to the Packers at Pick 21. Quick on his feet and he fits the role of what Green Bay is looking for in a faster defense over guys like Louis Nix and Ra'Shede Hageman, even though Nix and Hageman are ideal 3-4 linemen. At one point last season at Pittsburgh he led the nation in sacks and loss per tackle. He had an outstanding combine...best of all linemen, some said.

I'm banking that the Steelers taking a safety, Chicago drafting Hageman, and Dallas taking Nix or Jernigan, leaving Donald on the board for Green Bay. It's more likely Donald is on the board at #21 overall than it is C.J. Mosely, who is even being considered a Top 10 pick now. Because Aaron Donald lacks the typical height you would want in a lineman, he could drop down to Green Bay. But don't let his size fool you. Rob Rang of CBS Sports wrote that he "comes off the snap like he was shot out of a cannon". The Packers need someone explosive on this defensive line if Raji, Wilson, Jolly, and Pickett are all gone next year.


Round 2, Pick 53 - Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford

This is an obvious choice. Clay Matthews has longed for an outside linebacker to mirror him on the opposite side of the field to provide a dual pass rush. Nick Perry was supposed to be that man, but has not stayed healthy enough to prove himself after being drafted just two years ago. And, now with there are talks among the Packers organization that Nick Perry is in line to play more of a hybrid linebacker/defensive end position, the Packers will be looking for depth at outside linebacker.

There are multiple reports that indicate Ted Thompson is very high on Trent. Ted and a few members of the scout team spoke with Trent at the Senior Bowl. Murphy is 6'5", 252 pounds which likely means he's better suited to be a linebacker instead of a defensive end. Take the conversation he had with the scouting team with a grain of salt, though. The scouting department will likely talk to hundreds of draft eligible players that will go unreported. However, Trent fits the system and will likely be available in the second round.




Round 3, Pick 85 -  CJ Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa

As noted by Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have a good history of drafting Iowa Hawkeyes. CJ could be the next one to come wear green and gold. Over the last four drafts, Ted Thompson has drafted Iowa players in three of them (Mike Daniels, Bryan Bulaga, and Micah Hyde). CJ has the potential to come into Green Bay and receive the starting role as TE1 with the unlikely returns of Jermichael Finley (injury) and Andrew Quarless (God's awful gift). He'd be a weapon for Aaron Rodgers to utilize across the middle as well as a shield to block for Eddie Lacy and Rodgers.


Round 3, Compensatory Pick (Greg Jennings) - Christian Jones, ILB, Florida State

The Packers will likely have an extra pick in the third round when they receive compensation for losing Greg Jennings to the Vikings in free agency. At worst, it would be a fourth round pick, but we'll assume its a third rounder for the time being.

Not even Jesus could save the Packer's defense last year, so maybe adding Christian will help? Christian Jones is a tackling machine. He stuffs the running game and creates turnovers. In his senior year he had 7.5 tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. With A.J. Hawk rapidly aging and Brad Jones consistently being inconsistent, its time to add some depth to inside linebacker.

NOTE: If Christian Jones is off the board, I'd be very comfortable with Green Bay selecting Michigan State inside linebacker Max Bullough here. Regardless of how his season ended, he's a leader on defense. He has a great understanding of the game. Max had an outstanding combine (4.78 40-yard dash and 30 reps of 225 pounds which was most by any other inside linebacker). If he can prove to coaches that his off the field incident won't repeat itself again, his stock will rise back up to where it was.


Round 4, Pick ?? - Kenneth Ladler, FS, Vanderbilt

Another guy Ted Thompson reportedly has his eyes on, Kenny Ladler is one of the most under the radar guys in this draft class. Much like Iowa, Ted Thompson has started to take notice of the talent being produced by Vanderbilt (Casey Hayward and Sean Richardson have come in the last two NFL Drafts). He was selected to the All-SEC team last year and was the only player in college football with five+ interceptions and five+ forced fumbles. He's 6'0", 200 pounds and shows quick speed and potential to be an elite defender. Some draft analysts say he could be just as good if not better than Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and Calvin Pryor. The Packers need all the help they can get at safety, and drafting a play maker is a good start. Don't count free agency out, either.


Round 5, Pick ?? - David Fales, QB, San Jose State

Mike McCarthy recently stated to the media that the Packers will look to take a quarterback relatively early in the draft after everything that happened last year. I don't buy the "early" part, but I do think the Packers may want to look at drafting one to develop. David Fales fits the Green Bay offense the best out of all the quarterbacks that will likely be left at this point, unless of course somehow Alabama's AJ McCarron drops this far down.

There's not much to dislike about David Fales. He's very accurate. He can pick up yards on his feet if he has to. But, he's classified as a pocket passer. He's got a very decent arm to throw the deep ball. He does a great job at leading his receivers. At San Jose he played under different formations such as shotgun, under center, pistol, etc. He's a little short, but is receiving comparisons to Matt Ryan and Eli Manning. I'd say David would be a perfect project for Green Bay to take on to mold into a solid back up QB for the time being.


Round 6, Pick ?? - Cody Hoffman, WR, Brigham Young

The sixth round will be where the Packers buy more ammunition for Aaron Rodgers. First Cody Hoffman from BYU. He's BYU's all-time leading receiver with 3,612 yards (prevously held by Austin Collie) over four seasons with the team to go along with 33 touchdown catches. Hoffman had his best game of the year come against the Wisconsin Badgers as he hauled in two touchdowns on 113 yards receiving. With a report stating that James Jones is likely not returning to the Packers next year, the Packers will need to add depth behind Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and Jarrett Boykin. Standing in at 6'4" and weighing 210 pounds, Hoffman is not a very bad WR4 option by any means.
 

Round 6, Compensatory Pick (Eric Walden) - L'Damian Washington, WR, Missouri

With the team's second compensatory pick, the Packers should take another wide out that has kick returning potential as that was something Green Bay couldn't figure out in 2013. Washington ran a 4.46 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine, which is very impressive. He is one of the taller wide outs in this draft as well coming in at 6'4" and weighing 205 pounds. Washington could also fill in for the departing James Jones as stated above. With the team needing a realistic kick returning option and not a flavor of the week like Johnathan Franklin, Jeremy Ross, etc. etc. etc., L'Damian is a great pick especially this late in the draft. Washington caught 15 touchdowns for 1,735 yards during his tenure at Missouri.


Round 7, Pick ?? - Cornelius Lucas, OT, Kansas State

The dude is 6'8", 316 pounds. With all of the returning linemen that were injured last season, we may want to draft some depth for the offensive line just in case. Plus, Marshall Newhouse does not belong on the team next year in any format whatsoever. If no one gets hurt, he can be placed on the practice squad. With a guy that size potentially available in the 7th round, you take him in a heartbeat strictly for value purposes. Simple as that.


Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota

Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin

Packers 7 Round Mock Draft 5.0

We are less than two days away from the NFL Draft. It's a very exciting moment for football fans as they see their teams draft players that could potentially fix holes, patch problems, replace old parts, and strike gold with the next MVP. I've previously completed four other Mock Drafts for the Green Bay Packers, profiling potential picks the Packers could be looking at. After studying the college talent pool, here is what I have come up with for the Packers and what you can expect starting this Thursday night. But first, take a look at the previous mock drafts before reading this article (recommended).

Packers Mock Draft 1.0
Packers Mock Draft 2.0  
Packers Mock Draft 3.0
Packers Mock Draft 4.0

To start this very detailed Mock Draft, it's going to start out with a move that most Packer fans will not favor if it does end up happening. This move will only work if one major factor plays out, which could very well play out. That factor is Geno Smith.

The Packers have a lot of holes to fill and there really isn't anyone the Packers will want to take at the 26th pick in the first round. Taking a look at the draft order, there are three teams that could spoil this move, one of them being their potential trade partner. First, the New York Jets. Rex Ryan and the front office seem dead set on Mark Sanchez, however they could end up feeling the pressure from their fans and take Geno Smith to compete for the quarterback job. But, it's very unlikely they take him with either of their first round picks (9, 13). If you think the Jets have problems on offense, I won't even get into their defense. They need to replace Revis and someone develop a pass rush.

The second team that could rain on the Packers parade is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills will be taking a quarterback with the 8th overall pick and they could very well pick Geno Smith, except that he doesn't fit their offense well at all. The Bills run a West Coast offense, which is more appealing to quarterbacks on the board like Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib. They could ignore that and still take Geno as the best QB on the board, but again it's unlikely.

The third and final team that could spoil things for Green Bay is the Philadelphia Eagles, who I have as the Packers trade partner. The Eagles have the 4th overall pick, but their quarterback need doesn't amount to taking one at the 4th pick. They have bigger holes to fill, like protecting their quarterback for example on the offensive line. But, I don't think that will stop the Eagles from getting a shot at Geno Smith. He would mess well with Chip Kelly's style of offense, and would be backup to Michael Vick which almost guarantees he'll get a few starts this season and eventually take over as the full time starter. Geno could easily fall out of the Top 10, heck even the Top 20 if it all plays right. (See: Alex Smith/Aaron Rodgers draft). All of the other teams drafting are very stable at the quarterback position. Let's take a look: (Teams are in order of the draft)

1. Alex Smith, Chiefs
2. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
3. Matt Flynn, Raiders
4. (Philadelphia Eagles)
5. Matthew Stafford, Lions
6. Brandon Weeden, Browns
7. Carson Palmer, Cardinals
8. (Buffalo Bills)
9. (New York Jets)
10. Jake Locker, Titans
11. Philip Rivers, Chargers
12. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
13. (New York Jets)
14. Cam Newton, Panthers
15. Drew Brees, Saints
16. Sam Bradford, Rams
17. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
18. Tony Romo, Cowboys
19. Eli Manning, Giants
20. Jay Cutler, Bears

21-25 are picks that are owned by the Cincinnati Bengals who have Andy Dalton, another pick by the Rams, two picks by the Vikings who have Christian Ponder, and one pick by the Colts who have Andrew Luck. This draft is not quarterback heavy, nor is the quarterback a big need currently in the NFL. Smith is a starter-quality quarterback, so being a backup isn't ideal for him.

So you see, Geno could fall hard in this draft, which is where we land with the Packers.......... and with the 26th pick, the Green Bay Packer elect to trade their first round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eagles' second and third round picks. And with that, here is the rest of the Packers Mock Draft.

Round 2 Pick 35 (from Eagles): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State - I said in the previous mock draft that the Packers would have no chance to get Bjoern Werner. Well, this trade with the Eagles makes it possible. The Packers are clearly going to focus on the defensive line in this draft. It was quite evident this offseason. They brought in Chris Canty and Steve McLendon to meet with them, who unfortunately didn't strike a deal with Green Bay and signed elsewhere. The fact the Packers kicked some tires with defensive lineman shows it's a concern for them. It wouldn't hurt the Packers to look for defensive line help. Jerel Worthy had knee surgery at the end of the season, Raji was a little banged up last year, and C.J. Wilson needs someone to compliment him better. Pass rush pass rush pass rush. When talking about Werner's figurative engine, he's got a Hemi. Great blocker and great instincts. He might be outsized a few times, but that happens with a lot of players.

Round 2 Pick 55: Cornelius Washington, DE/OLB, Georgia - I can't even begin to tell you how much Washington's stock has risen in this draft class. When I first started looking at mock drafts back in January, Washington was maybe a 6th or 7th round pick, some even had him as a undrafted free agent. Then, in mid to late February, he started popping up as a 4th or 5th rounder. Finally, after his pro day he jumped up again. This time, he was being tossed in as a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He had the fastest 40 yard dash at the Combine for his position. Washington is listed as a defensive end, but would likely convert to an outside linebacker for Green Bay. Erik Walden is gone, and no one could be happier then me. What's even better is that horrid contract the Colts gave him. A.J Hawk's contract was restructured (cut in half) because of his rather high salary. Desmond Bishop and Nick Perry will be coming back from injury. Washington is another pass rusher, which is a need for the Packers as Clay Matthews needs someone to compliment him opposite of him.

Round 3 Pick 67 (from Eagles): J.J. Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern - As I've said previously on Twitter and in blogs, the Packers have had a void in the defensive back field since losing Nick Collins a few years back. Charles Woodson was cut by the Packers this offseason. They will need to address this in the draft at some point, and I don't have a problem with them doing it here, especially with the extra pick thanks to the Eagles. The Packers should look for a versatile player who could play either corner or safety, but preferably safety to add depth to Jennings, Burnett, and McMillian. The Packers are said to be extremely high on Wilcox and will take him here if available. Wilcox has great instincts and reads offenses well. Attacks the line really well on running plays. He has good hops and great hand-eye coordination.

Round 3 Pick 88: David Quessenberry, G/C/OT, San Jose State - If I had to say one of these picks would be a lock for the Packers, it would be David Quessenberry. According to multiple sources, the Packers have recently expressed major interest in drafting David. I've been a huge supporter of his since February. What he brings to the table is remarkable and exactly what the Packers need. The Packers had major problems at the offensive line after letting Scott Wells walk away, so they'll have to address that area in the draft. Evan Dietrich-Smith seems to be the center of the future for the Packers, but in case that doesn't turn out for Green Bay, Quessenberry is an option as he plays all three offensive line positions. The Packers need to beef up the tackle position this offseason as well. I'm not a big fan of Marshall Newhouse nor do I see him as a viable option at left tackle going into next season. There have been rumblings this offseason that the Packers are considering moving Brian Bulaga over to left tackle next season.

Round 4 Pick 122: Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford - James Starks has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. Alex Green has done nothing with the opportunities sent his way. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant will likely be gone after this offseason. Although DuJuan Harris was impressive down the stretch in his few games where he shined, I'm not sure if he is ready to take on a full starting workload. McCarthy said in an interview that Harris could be the starter, but it's his spot to earn in training camp. Still, the Packers may address the running back position early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Taylor is a great running back prospect in this draft and is seriously underrated. He's a great ball catcher and has great down field awareness with great explosive legs. If the Packers want to fix their running game without wasting it on a high draft pick, Taylor is their man.

UPDATE (4/25): Brandon Saine was released yesterday after failing his physical. Saine injured his knee last season vs. the Texans and was shut down due to it. With Saine gone, the Packers will need to add a running back for depth, even if they go about re-signing Cedric Benson. Training camp will make the cream rise to the top.

Round 5 Pick 159: A.J. Klein, ILB, Iowa State - As the Packers need to add depth at outside linebacker, they also need to start thinking about inside linebacker as well. I'm not sure how long the Packers are going to have AJ Hawk. I don't mind him, but with all the injuries we had at linebacker last year it makes sense to add more depth. Ted Thompson likes Klein. Ted scouted him during the East-West Shrine game. Klein was a standout player and caught Ted's eye. The Packers would benefit with drafting Klein in the 5th round here, especially with another pick just 8 spots away.

UPDATE (4/25): With the departure of D.J. Smith yesterday after he failed his physical, this pick makes a lot more sense now then it ever did before. Smith played only 6 games last season before injuring his knee. Desmond Bishop needs to prove he is healthy after his hamstring injury last year. Klein provides a nice safety net.

Round 5 Pick 167 (Compensatory): Ace Sanders, WR/KR, South Carolina - I think we all know the reasoning for this pick. Greg Jennings is with the Vikings. In addition, Donald Driver announced his retirement from the NFL and made it official February 6th, 2013. It looks like the Packers will need to look to add a wide receiver in the draft. The Packers have made it clear that Randall Cobb will not be returning kicks next year. Ace Sanders has elite speed and is said to be dangerous once he has the ball in his hands. For only being 5'7", he has good vision and sets up for blocks really well. Good hand-eye coordination and has really good hands. He isn't afraid to cut across to the middle of the field as he has good toughness and concentration. He would fit in well as our new kick returner as well as a number four or five wide out.

Round 6 Pick 193: Demetrius McCray, CB, Appalachian State - With the exit of Charles Woodson and looking back on what I said earlier, the Packers need some depth when it comes to our defensive backs. And, with news coming out from the Packers that Tramon Williams will have to potentially compete for a spot on next year's depth chart at cornerback, McCray would give Williams some good competition. McCray ran a 4.46 and jumped a 36" vertical at the NFL Combine. He has a knack for interceptions, having 10 in his college career. He's got great speed. Good on redirection and making good choices on routes.

Round 7 Pick 232: Garrett Gilkey, OT, Chadron State - Same reason to add Quessenberry. The Packers needs oodles of depth for lineman, as it is clearly the most vulnerable position on our team for the past couple of seasons. If we going to be paying Aaron Rodgers a sixth of our team's salary cap, we better put the right people in front of him to protect our investment. The Packers are set at the guard position with TJ Lang and Josh Sitton. The tackle position is the one that worries me a lot, so adding extra depth won't hurt us at all. Garrett Gilkey is 6 foot 6 inches tall and weight just over three hundred and twenty pounds. He's going to have to mature a bit to make it, but with his natural size and talent the Packers should be comfortable drafting him.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @olewr7, and @Stevie2Westside. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

Steve's 7 Round Packers Mock Draft

The 2013 NFL Draft is only two days away, so it is time to break out the ultimate Packers draft.  All of the Packers picks will be explained and used in either a trade or a draft pick.

To start off the Packers draft activity, the Green Bay Packers have accepted a TRADE with the Buffalo Bills.  The Bills receive the Packers 1st round pick (26) for the Bills 2nd round (41) and 3rd round (71).  I don’t believe the Bills will take Ryan Nassib, QB from Syracuse with the 8th overall pick.  The run of quarterbacks will start late in the 1st round and the Bills want a QB of the future.  It doesn’t hurt that Nassib just scored a 41 on the Wonderlic test this week. 

With the 41st selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Eddie Lacy, RB, University of Alabama. 

The Packers have a huge hole to fill at RB, however Lacy is a reach in the 1st round.  Lacy will be a great value pick early in the 2nd round.  Lacy is faster than he looks and can receive the ball out of the backfield.  He was successful in Alabama and would be  perfect fit for Mike McCarthy’s offense.

With the 55th selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select DT, Kawann Short, Purdue University.

It is no surprise that the Packers need help on the defensive line.  Jerel Worthy is coming off of surgery, so he is still a question mark.  The Packers have not really hit on a defensive lineman besides Raji lately, so it is time to take another stab at it.  Short has potential to be a long time starter for the Packers.

With the 71st selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Travis Frederick, C, University of Wisconsin.

Jeff Saturday was a colossal bust.  He had a great career, but should have retired instead of joining the Packers.  Dietrich-Smith filled in fine, but taking a center early in the 3rd round is a steal for the Pack.  Frederick would challenge DS for the starting position right away and everyone knows, competition at positions is never a bad thing.

With the 88th selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select J.J. Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern.

News out of Green Bay says the Packers are very high on Wilcox.  Hard to tell now a days what is a smoke screen and what is not.  The Packers do need help at the safety position and Wilcox can come in and compete right away.  The Packers have been looking for an answer at safety since the loss of Nick Collins.

TRADE : The Packers send 2014 4th round pick, 2013 5th round pick (159) and 2013 6th round pick (193) to the New York Jets for their 4th round pick (106).

With the 106th selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Marquise Goodwin, WR/KR, Texas.

Aaron Rodgers was vocal about not wanting Randall Cobb returning kicks or punts.  It would not be a shock to see the Packers take a kick returner that can work on his receiving game over the next few seasons.  Goodwin is a talented return man that could start returning immediately and let Cobb focus on the offensive side of the ball.

With the 122nd selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Luke Marquardt, T, Azusa Pacific.

Marquardt is a beast of a man.  6’8”, 315 pounds, holy cow.  He is still very raw and would need a little time to develop, however his frame is worth taking him in the late 4th round.  Marquardt has been on the rise the last month or two.  Originally, he had a 7th round grade, but the potential is there and he has risen quite a bit in value.

With the 167th selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Nico Johnson, ILB, University of Alabama.

Some may argue that the Packers have LB depth, however with Desmond Bishop coming off injury, as well as DJ Smith, it definitely would not hurt.  Johnson is a smart player, playing in Nick Saban’s 3-4 style defense and he started the last years without missing a game. High quality backup right away, with time to develop into a starter.

With the 232nd selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Sam Brenner, G, Utah.

Brenner seems to be right up Ted Thompson’s alley.  The Utah guard started the first two games of the 2012 season at RG and finished the final 10 games at LT.  Another body to throw into the offensive line mix.

There it is.  The Packers have restocked and are ready for the 2013 season!  If Jordan Rodgers goes undrafted, look for the Packers to sign Aaron’s younger brother and put him on the practice squad.  The Packers will most likely sign a few other undrafted free agents right away and hopefully finding a few gems.  Happy almost draft day everyone!!

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Steve Perhach (@Stevie2Westside)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @olewr7, and @Stevie2Westside. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

Packers 7 Round Mock Draft 4.0

Here it is. The last last one. The Packers 7 Round Mock Draft 4.0. The Combine is over. Pro Days are wrapping up. Free agency is pretty much over and as many expected, the Packers laid low during the whole process. If you would like to catch up on the previous three mock drafts I've done for the Packers, feel free to click the following links.

Packers Mock Draft 1.0
Packers Mock Draft 2.0
Packers Mock Draft 3.0

Round 1 Pick 26: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M - It wouldn't hurt the Packers to look for defensive line help. Jerel Worthy had knee surgery a month ago, Raji was a little banged up last year, and C.J. Wilson needs someone to compliment him better. The first round is going to be a tough decision for the Packers because the pick is so late and the exact viable needs the Packers are looking to draft will more than likely going to be gone. For example, the Packers would love to get their hands on D.J. Fluker (OT), Chance Warmack (OG), or Bjoern Werner (DE) but it is very unlikely the three of them make it out of the Top 20. So, this pick is essentially more of what the Packers will have to settle for of what's left unless they value someone who could go early second round and want to gamble a bit. (See next pick for example.) Damontre Moore is a defensive end out of Texas A&M. The Packers need to improve on pass rushing and Moore is the guy for that job. Moore has the potential to rank among the league's top pass rushers as he can play both the 4-3 defensive end or as a stand-up pass rusher out of the 3-4. He also obtains a very good spin move, allowing him to go inside or outside to prevent a run game.
(Previous Pick: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama)

Round 2 Pick 55: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama - I originally had Lacy going first round for the Packers, but it sounds like Lacy could fall to the second round and still be available for the Packers to draft as he did not participate at the Combine, which results in his stock to go down. James Starks has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. Alex Green has done nothing with the opportunities sent his way. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant will likely be gone after this offseason. Although DuJuan Harris was impressive down the stretch in his few games where he shined, I'm not sure if he is ready to take on a full starting workload. McCarthy said in a recent interview that Harris could be the starter, but it's his spot to earn in training camp. Still, the Packers may address the running back position early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Eddie Lacy heading into the NFL Combine has been compared to a few running backs that are in the NFL now, but the two I keep hearing is Frank Gore and Michael Bush. Lacy values the potential of what Green Bay could offer him and his career. He was quoted saying this at the Combine:

“I feel as though they wouldn’t just be able to spread the field out,” said Lacy on the prospect of joining the Packers. “They’d have to actually have to defend the run as well. If Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback, you’re not going to put nine guys in the box. So it’ll kind of balance out.”

Eddie Lacy did not work out at the Combine due to a small hamstring tear but will partake in Alabama's Pro Day. If his injury doesn't seem to be a major concern, I wouldn't mind Green Bay drafting him as the first running back in the 2013 draft, especially if free agency isn't an option for Ted Thompson (which it clearly wasn't). The Packers still could take Lacy first round if they want to gamble a bit, but I think at this point Lacy could be an option second round.
(Previous Pick: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor)

Round 3 Pick 88: Marquise Goodwin, WR/KR, Texas - I think we all know the reasoning for this pick. Greg Jennings is with the Vikings. In addition, Donald Driver announced his retirement from the NFL and made it official February 6th, 2013. It looks like the Packers will need to look to add a wide receiver in the draft. The Packers have made it clear that Randall Cobb will not be returning kicks next year. Marquise Goodwin, a former track athlete, could be our new kick returner as well as a wideout and deep threat to add to Aaron Rodgers' arsenal. He has great speed, which was evident at the NFL Combine as he ran a 4.27 40. He also showed he had great hands as he caught nearly every pass thrown his way during his senior season as well as at the Combine. The Packers are likely to address the WR hole early, and Goodwin would be a good pick here for Green Bay.
(Previous Pick: David Quessenberry, G/C/OT, San Jose State)

Round 4 Pick 119: Oday Aboushi, G/OT, Virginia - The Packers had major problems at the offensive liveafter letting Scott Wells walk away, so they'll have to address that area in the draft. Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, has been in talks with the Packers to sign long tern with the Packers and be the center for out future. Even if EDS signs, we will still need some sort of depth at center in case the inevitable occurs, an injury. The Packers need to beef up the tackle position this offseason as well. I'm not a big fan of Marshall Newhouse nor do I see him as a viable option at left tackle going into next season. There have been rumblings this offseason that the Packers are considering moving Brian Bulaga over to left tackle next season. At 6-5⅜, 308 lbs, Oday Aboushi can play both guard and tackle on the offensive line, so that should appeal to Ted Thompson. He can play left or right tackle. He plays very aggressive and physical. He is exactly what Green Bay needs for an offensive lineman. Just a quick note to finish...if David Quessenberry (G/C/OT) somehow makes it through the third round and is still available for this pick for Green Bay, expect the Packers to pounce on the San Jose State utility offensive lineman.
(Previous Pick: Cornelius Washington, DE/OLB, Georgia)

Round 5 Pick 152: David Bass, DE/OLB, Missouri Western - Hopefully I'm not the only one who thought Erik Walden's 4 year/16MM contract with the Colts was absolutely hilarious. He was a free agent and will likely be one of the biggest busts of this year's offseason. (Did the Colts even watch the game with Green Bay vs. San Fransisco?) With his departure, there would be a void at the line backer position. A.J Hawk's contract was restructured (cut in half) because of his rather high salary. Desmond Bishop and Nick Perry will be coming back from injury. Brad Jones is in talks with the Titans. There are a lot of questions surrounding the linebackers on the Packers and they need answers. In the fifth round, David Bass would be a great pick and a possible steal. He would be the pass rushing outside linebacker that the Packers so desperately need to compliment Clay Matthews. Bass has excellent college career numbers with 39.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss as a four-year starter.
(Previous Pick: Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia)

Round 5 Pick 167 (Compensatory): Luke Marquardt, OT, Azusa Pacific - (See: Oday Aboushi above.) Note: I originally had Marquardt as a possible undrafted free agent for 3.0. Since then, Luke's draft stock has skyrocketed. I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken off the board in the fourth round, to be honest. He's 6-foot-8 inches tall and three-hundred fifteen pounds. The Packers need some serious upgrades at the line if they want their soon to be hundred million dollar quarterback healthy. The Packers get this extra pick in the fifth round for the departure of quarterback Matt Flynn last season. Because of Flynn's playing time with the Seahawks last year, the Packers were only rewarded with a fifth round pick rather than the expected fourth round. Thanks, Russell.
(Previous Pick: Jordan Reed, TE, Florida)


Round 6 Pick 193: Earl Wolff, S, N.C. State - The Packers have had a void in the defensive back field since losing Nick Collins a few years back. Charles Woodson was cut by the Packers a few weeks ago. They will need to address this in the draft at some point, and I don't have a problem with them doing it late. The Packers should look for a versatile player who could play either corner or safety, but preferably safety to add depth to Jennings, Burnett, and McMillian. Wolff is a guy that could mesh well right away with Green Bay, as long as our pass rush improves significantly next year. He's got great arm strength and has great back pedal ability. He had 340 tackles in his Sophomore thru Senior seasons at North Carolina State. He's great when it comes to run defense. If he works on his change in directions/cuts, he'll be a great snag late in the draft.
(Previous Pick: Zeke Motta, S, Notre Dame)

Round 7 Pick 232: Michael Williams, TE, Alabama - In 3.0 I had Green Bay taking a tight end way earlier in the draft. Fourth round to be exact. But, since Greg Jennings is gone, it seems as though Jermichael Finley is now going to be staying with the Packers instead of being cut like it was originally expected. The Packers still took a hit in the tight end depth chart as they lost Tom Crabtree to free agency to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Crabtree was mostly used primarily for blocking as well as on special teams. Crabtree's shining moment as a Packer was his touchdown catch on that trick 4th and 26 fake field goal play last season. Michael Williams is a much better blocker than Crabtree and could be used as a goal line option for Rodgers because of his size and great hands. This isn't necessarily are needed pick in this spot, but it will be something Green Bay will consider with their last pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.
(Previous Pick: Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida)

Undrafted Free Agent Watch 

Mike Shanahan, WR/TE, Pittsburgh - Ted Thompson loves himself some versatile players and Shanahan is exactly that. He's 6-foot-4 tall which gives him size. He also offers strength and very reliable hands. He was recruited to Pittsburgh to be a basketball player, but turned it down to play football. The defense he picked up while playing basketball shows in his strength and blocking in football.

Travis Long, DE/OLB, Washington State - This move is to simply add depth to our linebackers as we lost Erik Walden and could potentially lose Brad Jones as well. Plus, we really lacked depth at linebacker last season as it seemed they are were injured at some point during the season.

Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State - This won't be a popular choice, but it may be time to start looking at replacing John Kuhn. He's owed $2.3 million in the final year of his deal in 2013, so it is quite possible the Packers could start looking for his potential replacement.

Justice Cunningham, TE, South Carolina - This simply because we may or may not take a tight end in the draft. If we don't, Justice Cunningham would serve the purpose of what we lost in Tom Crabtree.

Jordan Rodgers, QB, Vanderbilt - Nostalgia purposes only here. But, it would be pretty cool. Packers need some comfort in a back up quarter back if Rodgers were to go down ever. Graham Harrell hasn't showed me much of anything that would hint he could step up to the plate. Jordan, Aaron's brother, could provide that cushion. If not, a veteran free agent signing or trade may be in order.

Dan Conroy, K, Michigan State - "Mason is our guy." I don't know about you all, but I was really sick of hearing that from Mike McCarthy last season. That fact that it was a weekly quote all season long shows there are questions at our kicker position, which is one of the more highly important and vital positions on the football team. The Packers could sign Conroy as someone to get Mason Crosby focused in training camp after the forgettable season Crosby had in 2012. Conroy has the strength and the accuracy to give Mason Crosby a good potential battle in training camp.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @B_Toom_3, and @olewr7. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

Packers 7 Round Mock Draft 3.0

Here it is. Mock Draft 3.0 for the Packers. I was only planning on doing two different ones before the NFL Draft, but changed my mind after seeing Mel Kiper and Todd McShay released their first two for the first round with a month to go before the draft. So, I'm going with three, which is what you're about to read right now. You can read 1.0 here and 2.0 here. This is the last mock draft I'm doing before the actual NFL Draft in April. So, here we go...

Photo: Zimbio.com

Round 1 Pick 26: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama - James Starks has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. Alex Green has done nothing with the opportunities sent his way. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant will likely be gone after this offseason. Although DuJuan Harris was impressive down the stretch in his few games where he shined, I'm not sure if he is ready to take on a full starting workload. Still, the Packers may address the running back position early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Eddie Lacy heading into the NFL Combine has been compared to a few running backs that are in the NFL now, but the one I keep hearing is Frank Gore. Lacy values the potential of what Green Bay could offer him and his career. He was quoted saying this at the Combine:

“I feel as though they wouldn’t just be able to spread the field out,” said Lacy on the prospect of joining the Packers. “They’d have to actually have to defend the run as well. If Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback, you’re not going to put nine guys in the box. So it’ll kind of balance out.”

Eddie Lacy did not work out at the Combine due to a small hamstring tear but will partake in Alabama's Pro Day. If his injury doesn't seem to be a major concern, I wouldn't mind Green Bay drafting him as the first running back in the 2013 draft, especially if free agency isn't an option for Ted Thompson.
(Previous pick: Desmond Trufant, Washington, CB)

Round 2 Pick 55: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor - I think we all know the reasoning for this pick. Greg Jennings putting his home in De Pere, Wisconsin up for sale, as well as showing interest in signing with the Dolphins, Vikings, and other teams. There are a few reports saying Green Bay might franchise tag Jennings, but I really hope they let him walk instead of over pay him. In addition, Donald Driver announced his retirement from the NFL last week and made it official February 6th, 2013. It looks like the Packers will need to look to add a wide receiver in the draft.
Previous pick: Kyle Long, OT/G, Oregon)

Photo: NCAA.com

Round 3 Pick 88: David Quessenberry, G/C/OT, San Jose State
The Packers had major problems at center after letting Scott Wells walk away, so they'll have to address that area in the draft. Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, has been in talks with the Packers to sign long tern with the Packers and be the center for out future. Even if EDS signs, we will still need some sort of depth at center in case the inevitable occurs. The Packers need to beef up the tackle position this offseason as well. I'm not a big fan of Marshall Newhouse nor do I see him as a viable option at left tackle going into next season. There have been rumblings this offseason that the Packers are considering moving Brian Bulaga over to left tackle next season. Ted Thompson will like David Quessenberry's versatility, as the San Jose State product can play every position up front, including center.
(Previous pick: Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M)

Round 4 Pick 119: Cornelius Washington, DE/OLB, Georgia - Hopefully I'm not the only one who doesn't want Erik Walden back on the Packers next year. He is a free agent next year and I don't see us bringing him back in. With his departure, there would be a void at the line backer position. A.J Hawk has also been brought up in regards to not being back next year because of his rather high salary. Desmond Bishop and Nick Perry will be coming back from injury. There are a lot of questions surrounding the linebackers on the Packers and they need answers. In the fourth round, Cornelius Washington would be a steal for the Packers and he could honestly still be on the board. A month ago, Washington was projected to be an undrafted free agent. Now, he's being projected anywhere from third to fifth round. He's a great tackler. He's fast. He's an elite pass rusher. He's exactly what the Packers need. He's going to shine on passing downs, but could struggle with the run game. However, that's what the other ten guys are for.
(Previous pick: Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State)

Round 4 Compensatory Pick (For QB Matt Flynn): Jordan Reed, TE, Florida - There's a chance that Jermichael Finley could be cut this offseason to preserve some cap room. Finley has been quoted a lot this offseason by saying there's a "50/50 chance" he will return to Green Bay as well as him saying "the Packers haven't talked to me much this offseason." The most resent quote from Finley is "I couldn't take a pay cut" but would "maybe" restructure, something the Packers could do if they extend his deal beyond 2013. All signs put to Finley possibly being on his way out. The Packers have some depth at tight end, but no one is a stand out as the leader. Full Finley quote here. Jordan Reed would be a great pickup for Green Bay with this compensatory pick. Widely compared to New England's tight end Aaron Hernandez, Reed is a huge threat that has wide receiver speed and deadly in yards after catch. From what I've dug up on him, he needs to bulk up a bit to be a better blocker as well as learn patients to avoid false starts. Those are easy fixes.

Photo: Fanside.com

Round 5 Pick 152: Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia - It wouldn't hurt the Packers to look for defensive line help. Jerel Worthy had knee surgery a month ago, Raji was a little banged up last year, and C.J. Wilson needs someone to compliment him better. The Packers are scheduled to meet with free agent DT Chris Canty next week in Green Bay. However, if we look to the draft for help, Kwame Geathers (right) is six-foot six, three-hundred and fifty-five pounds of absolute dominance. He made the All-SEC Freshman Team the in 2010. Geathers played in all 14 games in 2012, finishing with forty tackles, including five for losses and one sack. ESPN ranks Geathers 5 out of 5 in pass rushing, which would compliment B.J. Raji and company extremely well.  
(Previous pick: Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford) 

Round 6 Pick 182: Zeke Motta, S, Notre Dame - The Packers have had a void in the defensive back field since losing Nick Collins a few years back. They will need to address this in the draft at some point, and I don't have a problem with them doing it late. The Packers should look for a versatile player who could play either corner or safety, but preferably safety to add depth to Jennings, Burnett, and McMillian. Zeke is a guy that could mesh well right away with Green Bay, as long as our pass rush improved significantly next year. He's got great arm strength and has great back pedal ability. He's great when it comes to run defense. If he works on his tackling, he'll be a great snag late in the draft.
(Previous pick: Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida) 

Photo: Zimbio.com

Round 7 Pick 216: Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida - "Mason is our guy." I don't know about you all, but I was really sick of hearing that from Mike McCarthy last season. That fact that it was a weekly quote all season wrong shows there are questions at our kicker position, which is one of the more highly important and vital positions on the football team. In the 2012 season, Caleb Sturgis (left) was 24 for 28 in field goals (including the Sugar Bowl). In the 2011 season, Sturgis went 22 for 26 in field goals. Sturgis was named to the 2012 All-American Third Team, as well as the 2012 All-SEC First Team. The Packers could draft Sturgis as someone to get Mason Crosby focused in training camp after the forgettable season Crosby had in 2012. Ted Thompson was in attendance at the East-West Shrine game to scout Caleb. In that game, Sturgis made both field-goal attempts, including one from 48 yards out that was said to have been "good from 60 yards". Sturgis has the strength and the accuracy to give Mason Crosby a good potential battle in training camp.
(Previous pick: Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech)

Round 7 Compensatory Pick (For C Scott Wells): Melvin White, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette - With the exit of Charles Woodson and looking back on what I said earlier, the Packers need some depth when it comes to our defensive backs. And, with news coming out from the Packers that Tramon Williams will have to compete for a spot on next year's depth chart at cornerback, Melvin White could give Williams a run for his money, and spot. Melvin is six-foot-three, one-hundred and ninty-three pounds, which is outstanding length for a cornerback. He had a pretty good 40-yard dash at the combine, clocking in at a 4.50. From what I found, Melvin would not work well in a zone scheme, but would excel as a press corner.

Top 5 Projected Undrafted Free Agents the Packers could/should have interest in:

1. Matt Brown, QB, Illinois State - Packers need some comfort in a back up quarter back if Rodgers were to go down ever. Brown could provide that cushion. If not, a veteran free agent signing may be in order.

2. William Campbell, DT, Michigan - Ted Thompson scouted this guy a few months back. He should be on the radar still and will likely go undrafted. Look for Green Bay to pursue.

3. Rodney Smith, WR, Florida State - The Packers have made it clear that Randall Cobb will not be returning kicks next year. Smith could be our new kick returner as he has great speed and hands.

4. Luke Marquardt, OT, Azusa Pacific - Packers need to focus on keeping Rodgers healthy and protected. Six-foot-nine, three-hundred and fifteen pound Luke Marquardt could help that cause.

5. Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State - This won't be a popular choice, but it may be time to start looking at replacing John Kuhn. He's owed $2.3 million in the final year of his deal in 2013, so it is quite possible the Packers could start looking for his potential replacement.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @Brandon_BFP, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

Three More Tasks For The Packers This Offseason

In light of the recent release of Charles Woodson and the retirement of Donald Driver, it's evident that the Packers are about to embark on lots of changes this offseason. They have no choice. For the past two season, there have been pivotal areas the Packers needed to fix and came up short. Whether that may have been caused by injury or just pushing the issue aside, it is time to come face to face with these concerns and get the Packers back to the Super Bowl. I have come up with three more things the Packers need to do with offseason in order keep pace with the success they've had in the past three years.

Photo: SI.com

1. Let Greg Jennings walk. The Packers should be comfortable without Jennings being there, regardless of what some may argue. Jennings was injured for nearly half the season last year, yet Aaron Rodgers was still able to put up NFL leading numbers last season by finding and trusting the other targets he has. Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Randall Cobb are a formidable trio that I am one-hundred percent behind if that is the direction Ted Thompson wants to go. And we don't need to sacrifice a high pick in the NFL draft for a new wide receiver, either. A wide receiver in the that should be available in the fourth round that Green Bay could look at is Josh Boyce out of Texas Christian University. He's six-foot tall and two-hundred pounds and could be a possible kick returner and easily a great fourth wide out option for Aaron Rodgers. If we go deeper into the draft, in the fifth round Corey Fuller from Virginia Tech should be there. Sixth round, six-foot-two Chris Harper from Kansas State could be still available. If we do go for a wide receiver early, I've been really high on Marcus Davis our of Virginia Tech, and so has Ted Thompson. Davis was originally projected to be a seventh round pick but has raised a few eyebrows and is quickly rising on many draft boards. In any event, I am not at all concerned over our wide outs because of the talent we have already and for the fact that Aaron Rodgers knows how to play his position from what I hear.

2. Sign free agent running back Steven Jackson. We all know it. The running game has been a concern for the Packers for a while. Even before they won the Super Bowl. We haven't had a legitimate run game to balance our passing game since Ryan Grant's 2009 season. I still argue we haven't had a running game for a decade back when Ahman Green was the Packer's running back. The next testimony is that "Ted Thompson doesn't like signing free agents." Yes, I know. Ted can't even hold a candle to Ron Wolf when it comes to free agent signings as Ron was responsible for bringing in the likes of Reggie White, Desmond Howard, Frank Winters, and Santana Dotson just to name a few. If Ted wants to improve the team at the running back position, he'll give Steven Jackson a long look this offseason. Unlike Cedric Benson, Jackson is a league veteran that Green Bay needs. Jackson has had eight straight seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards. He's a proven runner that would excel with Green Bay as well as mentor the new blood that comes in. The Packers rarely make mistakes in cap management, and I don't see them starting a bad trend any time soon. The Packers will be coming into the 2013 season as a Super Bowl contender again. They will need an established running back to take them to the next level of success.

3. Focus on defense in NFL Draft. The Packers are projected to have nine total picks in the 2013 NFL Draft. They are slated for one pick every round along with compensatory picks, one in the fourth (Matt Flynn) and one in the seventh round (Scott Wells). (Note: Pat Lee will not get Green Bay a compensatory pick.) The order of the compensatory picks has yet to be determined, but those rounds should be accurate.

Photo: CBS Sports

I'm not saying all the picks need to be focused on defense, but it needs to be a focal point. I'm suggesting that two of the top three picks should be directed towards the defense. Top voids are replacing Charles Woodson in the secondary, matching a linebacker with Clay Matthews to improve the pass rush, and a defesive end to replace Mike Neal and provide a plan B for an unproven Jerel Worthy. First, the secondary. Since losing Nick Collins, the Packers haven't been able to solve that puzzle on that position. The Packers need to take a chance somewhere in the draft and take a safety/corner back to add depth to Morgan Burnett,  Jerron McMillian, and M.D. Jennings. I doubt Ted will draft early on that position, but a guy like Robert Lester from Alabama or Zeke Motta out of Notre Dame would be a great sixth round pick for the Packers. Looking for a pass rushing linebacker will come a lot sooner than the late rounds. I'm thinking fourth round is most likely, just because of the two picks we will have on the table for us. Gerald Hodges from Penn State, Jelani Jenkins out of Florida, or Sean Porter out of Texas A&M would all be great pick ups for Green Bay at that stage of the draft. Finally, the Packers need to beef up the defensive line. This needs to happen in the top part of our picks. I would love to get it out of the way with the first pick, to be honest. Dion Jordan from Oregon would be the guy to go with who would be still available at that point of the draft. He's six-foot-seven, two-hundred thirty-one pounds of brute strength. He could compliment B.J Raji and C.J. Wilson when Ryan Pickett isn't in there. He'd add the depth we need on that line.

The rest of our picks will be geared towards a wide out, offensive line, and hopefully a kicker. I see the Packers bringing back Jermichael Finlay so we won't need a tight end. I stated before that a running back won't be necessary if we sign a free agent running back. There's a lot of upside coming into this offseason and heading into the NFL Combine that is already underway as I type this. Regardless if my ideas are right or not, I just hope the Packers draft smart and get the best available people and not just necessarily what we have voids in. In Ted Thompson I trust.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @Brandon_BFP, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)