Green Bay Packers 2011 NFL Draft — 3rd Round, No. 96: RB Alex Green

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With the 96th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Hawaii running back Alex Green.

He measures 6-0, 225 pounds with 32″ arms. Green posted a 4.53-second 40-yard dash, 20 bench-presses, 34″ vertical leap, 114″ broad jump, 6.91-second 3 cone drill and 4.15-second 20-yard shuttle.

College History

Playing in Hawaii’s pass-happy offense, Green was able to rush for 1,199 yards on 146 carries (8.2 ypc) and 18 touchdowns his senior season. He also caught 27 passes for 363 yards and another touchdown. Green was named Second Team All-WAC in 2010.

Green was only at Hawaii for two seasons, having transferred from Butte Community College in California—the same place that produced Aaron Rodgers.

One other thing of note: Green rushed for 372 yards against New Mexico State, a performance that broke Hawaii’s single-game rushing record.

Commentary

I’ll admit to knowing little about Green when the pick was made, but I had heard from some of the talking heads that he was a sleeper candidate at the running back position.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock certainly gave him a vote confidence when he said that “Green will be an impact player this year for the Green Bay Packers.”

After a little digging, there was plenty of other solid reviews on Green. Russ Lande of The Sporting News said that Green could develop into an “Arian Foster-type back.” Foster rushed for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for the Texans.

It would obviously be fantastic if that scenario unfolded, but Green could be a weapon for the Packers right away. He has good vision and hits the hole hard, and his big frame fits what the Packers like in their backs. Green also has experience catching the ball out of the backfield, making him a potential replacement for Brandon Jackson in third down roles.

Video

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Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.

You can read more of Zach's Packers articles on AllGreenBayPackers.com.

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8 thoughts on “Green Bay Packers 2011 NFL Draft — 3rd Round, No. 96: RB Alex Green

  1. Many sites say his vision is the issue that kept him from being a 1st day guy. I don’t know what those sites were watching. How can you rate a guy’s vision when the holes were truck-sized?

    1. There were some mighty big holes in those video highlights…

      I’ll be interested to see what Green can do in Green Bay, where the holes are nonexistent.

      1. There’s nothing we can do about the fact he’s running out of the spread with huge holes. All we can do from this highlight film is -Watch the RB Run-.

        What I see in this highlight vid that jumps out to me is there is very little wasted motion.

        Green is to the point- decisive in choosing his route, and gets north and south as soon as possible.

        He has the balance, quick feet, and body control to make the first defender miss with a quick juke or sudden cut.

        He has just enough wiggle to to spin out of first contact, or highstep out of a would-be leg tackle.

        All three of these elements is on display in just about every one of his highlight reel runs. That’s a great thing.

        Now, as far as the holes are concerned, I can only say that there are 3 or so runs on that highlight film where he does break out of the LOS through a very small crease. Also, Ted Thompson told the press after the pick that it was at the East-West shrine game week of practice where it became clear that Green was the cream of the running backs in attendance. My guess is that they weren’t seeing Green running out of the spread on draws all week, and they must have seen enough of him up close that the Packers are confident he has the vision and tools to read the zone, make the proper cut and get through a tight crease.

        Let’s hope for the best, I’m excited with ALL of our picks so far.

        Go Pack!

  2. JR College guy that moved to Hawaii, Another Player that played at Aaron Rodgers JR College.
    Green is a excellent receiver, great size speed combo.
    A NFC north type of RB.

  3. He seems to have the open field cut that BJ lacks. Agree that a lot of the initials holes were huge. A lot of his big runs were off the draw – which would fit nice with our pass-first game. I like the pick.

  4. I guess my question is can he pass block? If he can’t (and most rookies can’t not to mention spread offense rookies) can’t, so do you keep Jackson for another year? Put Kuhn out on 3rd downs? That’s a little too obvious.

  5. No more pussy footing around BJ, this guy doesn’t pitter patter in the backfield, he gets the ball and slams it downhill, I can’t wait!!!

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