This week, the Packers are going to welcome a new cast of players to the Green Bay family. The Packers will enter the draft carrying the rights to nine selection from the first round (pick 30) all the way down to the seventh round (pick 247). On that note, let’s look at three interesting draft day scenarios for the Packers.
At this point, every Packers fan knows one of the team’s most pressing needs is for an inside linebacker. The Packers were so desperate in addressing the inside linebacker position last season that Clay Matthews was forced to moonlight playing the position. With A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones now gone, the team’s need to draft an ILB has been amplified even more. Among the top ILB’s joining the draft are Benardrick McKinney, Denzel Perryman, and Eric Kendricks. Most experts don’t have any of these three players being taken before Green Bay’s time to name its pick, so it’s likely that the Packers will have their pick of the three if they choose to go that way when the time comes.
And then there’s the coverage unit. While this issue isn’t make or break just yet—after all most sportsbooks have the Packers’ NFL Futures tied with the Patriots and Colts at the top of the league—the secondary does need attention, especially after the departures of Tramon Williams and Davon House. Unfortunately, a lot of teams in front of the Packers are also desperate of snagging the best available corners off the draft board. But suppose other teams draft top cornerback prospects like Trae Waynes, Kevin Johnson, or Byron Jones earlier in the first round, the Pack would still have options.
Green Bay can land a consolation like Marcus Peters, who Ted Thompson is said to be keeping an eye on. Peters is a projected second-round draftee, but that assessment is mainly anchored by his unsavory reputation off the field. In terms of talent, the former Washington CB is still considered as a can’t-miss.
But if general manager Ted Thompson wants to make Aaron Rodgers happy on draft day, then the Packers may go get an added weapon for the quarterback. Tight end remains an area where Green Bay could stand to improve, with Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless each producing only in short bursts this past year.
Richard Rodgers was the worst offensive player on the team last season according to ProFootballFocus, while Quarless finished with 323 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In an Aaron Rodgers-driven offense, anyone drawing breath in the passing offense should be comfortably clearing those numbers The answer in the draft may be Maxx Williams, a former Minnesota Golden Gopher. A 6-3, 249 pound tight end, Williams have experts agreeing to his personal assessment that he plays like Jason Witten.
DL is pretty big too IMO. We don’t know what Raji will do this year or how many games Guion will be suspended. I understand it’s not supposed to be too many games but what if Eddie Goldman is there, or if Randy Gregory and/or Shane Ray fall to 30? Goldman is a pretty darn good football player and could be a great NT for the next 5 years. If Ray or Gregory fall can you really let them slip by? I understand the choices they’ve made this close to becoming instant millionaires leave much to be desired but still, those are 2 excellent prospects. Personally I think with Adams and Rodgers both coming into year 2 and improving, the Packers can wait on a TE. As fun as it would be watching Williams run down the seam and making this offense truly unstoppable, I’d still rather draft defense and improve that front 7 or CB position. Draft Wes Saxton in the 4th if he’s there.
Good comment. What if Malcom Brown is there or several others? Again, TT should treat round one as a luxury pick. I might even take the certain players at OT, or WR if they were there, maybe even RB. I do view ILB as immediate need, I view CB and DL – all three positions – as in need of an upgrade or in need of depth at least, but they are needs that can be filled later if necessary. OLB might easily become a need after this season, and that is a tough position to fill, so again, if the right player is there in TT’s opinion, he should not hesitate to pull the trigger. A FS wouldn’t be a terrible idea later in the draft. Geez, I guess that is every position on defense other than SS. TE makes no sense unless one thinks Maxx Williams is significantly better than Rodgers, but a pick later for development and depth seems advisable.
Do not mention Maxx Williams as potential draft pick for Packers… He is poison, he might be talented, but immature and arrogant… There is much better prospects than he is in later rounds…
Also, we do not know what is the situation with Goodson… Also, I’m sure that Packers scout team has already information who might be available for the draft next year and that is something that TT surely has in consideration when they are preparing the draft board… Maybe, this year they will pass on the player because they know for certain that in the next year draft they will have several better choices for the some position… Drafting is not year by year job… It is long term job with lot of crystal ball decisions…