Packers draft report

[Randall]

Link at bottom

 

 

"Early Expectations For The Draft

 

January 28, 2008

 

 

Round 1: I am on record as stating the primary need for the Packers is a top notch corner. Nothing has changed my opinion all season long.

 

a ) Tracy Porter CB Indiana

b ) Dom Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State

c ) Leodis McKelvin CB Troy State

 

Take your pick. All 3 of these players could very well be on the board in round 1 for the Packers. They all possess very good instincts and the needed speed and quickness. Questions about level of opponents for 2 of them but the cut and go skills are evident.

 

I like Porter - think the Packers are enamored with Rodgers-Cromartie and it is possible that McKelvin might develop into an AL Harris type of corner

 

 

Round 2: At this spot I would select the best LT available if there were one. I just think by the time Green Bay selects in round 2 the good LT's prospects will be off the board. So I go with the best player on the board thing:

 

a ) Phillip Merling DE Clemson

b ) Josh Barrett FS Arizona State

c ) John Carlson TE Notre Dame

 

Merling is DE and is not a need for the Packers but ask the Packers why they have spent an enormous amount of time scouting DE's for this draft. Merling has good instincts and very good technique and good enough power and solid quickness

 

Josh Barrett if not for some injuries this past year might have been at the top of round 2 or maybe even near the end of round 1. Solid skills as a safety. Good in coverage and supports the run well.

 

Carlson is a receiving type of TE who does have blocking abilities. While not as glamorous as some of the top TE's to come out the past few years Carlson is a quality TE and I project him as better than Donald Lee or Bubba Franks

 

 

Round 3: The Packers could go almost any direction with their 3rd round selection. In fact the way the draft could likely break down I would not be surprised at all to see Tedd Thompson trade down shifting his 3rd for a 4th and 5th. The talent could be pretty decent at this point of the draft and value could be found in trading down a little and acquiring and extra selection either this draft or for 2009.

 

Since that is looking too deep in the crystal ball I will stick with what we could see as being on the board for the Packers in round 3:

 

a ) Mike Hart RB Michigan

b ) Mike McGlynn RT Pitt

c ) Allen Patrick RB Oklahoma

d ) Matt Forte RB Tulane

 

I know the first thing argued is a RB ?? Why do the Packers need a RB with Grant and Jackson on the team. Hart and Patrick have that home run type of speed - that make things happen fast type of athleticism. Forte is the type of runner I have been looking for for years. He has the power to run over players and the quickness to get large chunks. Forte is quite a receiver and a top blocker as a Rb.

 

If for some reason the Packers are satisfied with the two RB's we have (Grant and Jackson) then I say watch for McGlynn RT to be their selection. Packer officials have had their eye on him all year. A powerful mauler type in the running game with better than expected hip and foot speed to be quite efficient pass blocker

 

 

Round 4: By the end of round 4 most of the players who carry starting credentials are generally off the board. Here is the developmental project type of selections.

 

A couple of players who might fall to Green Bay at the end of round 4 are

a ) John Greco RT Toledo

b ) Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado

 

If the Packers select McGynn in round 3 I doubt they come right back and select Greco in round 4. Green Bay needs a RT to develop behind Tauscher just as much as they need a LT to get prepared when Chad Clifton hits the wall and is finished. The Packers are not going to get that LT in this draft. I would not be surprised to see them add a RT in this draft.

 

Wheatley just looks like an NFL DB to me whenever i watch him. Nothing great sticks out it is just an observation that this kid is going to take that next step forward

 

 

Round 5: I might have these players rated lower than they actually go in the draft. I am talking around the 165th player or so and these players have skills that translate into NFL standards. You usually do not see these type of players still on the board at the end of round 5.

 

a ) Matt Flynn QB LSU

b ) D J Wolfe SS/ CB Oklahoma

c ) Ryan Torrin FB Arizona State

 

Okay why a QB? Simple! Might be the best player on the board. Besides Aaron Rodgers just could be used in a trade scenario especially since Brett almost surely comes back for 2008. Packers could select Flynn here and work him hard for eventual replacement of Rodgers. I could see the Packers adding a veteran QB for #2 next year - trading Rodgers and selecting Flynn. Flynn does everything pretty good but nothing great. He is a leader type of guy and has the ability to make plays on the run. An excellent thrower of the ball on the move might be his best asset.

 

D J Wolfe S who has played a lot of corner and was not a bad player at that position. For some reason I like Wolfe. Every game i watched his awareness instincts stood out. Has good speed. Good hands and tackles well.

 

Ryan Torrin RB: a power runner who moves the pile. Between the tackles runner who is good at the delayed draw plays who can catch the football coming out of the back field.

 

 

So for my first mock draft here goes:

 

Round 1: Dom Rodgers- Cromartie CB

 

Round 2: John Carlson TE

 

Round 3: Mike McGlynn RT

 

Round 4: Matt Flynn QB

 

Round 5: D J Wolfe SS

 

Here is why:

 

1) they like him a lot

 

2) even though the signs point to DE Merling I think they release Bubba Franks and upgrade at TE. Carlson in my estimation is much better than Donald Lee

 

3) even though 3 RB's will probably be in their sights I think they feel RT is a need after 2008 or 2009 and will want time to develop and McGynn has the tools

 

4) probably making an error in judgement here but I see the Packers moving Aaron Rodgers for a 2009 draft pick and maybe a young LT type of prospect and bringing in a veteran QB to back up Brett next year. Flynn has Tom Brady persona about him. A leader and winner with the ability to move the ball.

 

 

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