Well, the NFL Draft is this weekend so I figured I would put forth who I think the Packers are going to take in the first 3 rounds of the draft. Yes, only 3 rounds as everything after that is a total guess that nobody can pick. Granted, draft day trades will affect what the Packers are going to do as I feel there is about an 80% chance that they will either trade down in the first round and get additional 2nd and 3rd round picks, or even get a 2nd rounder for Javon Walker. Given I don't know what they are doing, I'm just going to do the straight up picks at the spots they are at. I will give my pick as to what I think the Packers will do, other possibilities and my dream scenario (and not the one involving Daisy Fuentes and Stacy Kiebler either).
With the recent signing of Charles Woodson, this would mean that Ashton Youboty is off the Packers radar, so won't even consider any DB in the first 3 rounds. Also, with Favre coming back, no QB is going to be taken either (yeah, like that was going to happen anyway).
Round 1 (ding ding)
My Pick: AJ Hawk (OLB), The Ohio State University.
Other possibilities: Mario Williams (DE), NC State; Vernon Davis (TE), Maryland; trade down
Dream scenario: AJ Hawk
AJ Hawk is still the man that will do the most for the Packers not only this year, but for many, many more. I certainly won't be disappointed should the Pack get Super Mario, but I feel he will be gone prior to the #5 pick. Davis is gaining more popularity in order to give Brett a better downfield target over Franks. I feel that he is more of a luxury item for the Packers at this time and there are other areas that need attention, like say LB.
Round 2
My Pick: Davin Joseph (OG), Oklahoma
Other possibilities: Mathias Kiwanuka (DE) Boston College; Tamba Hali (DE), Penn State, Demeco Ryans (OLB), Alabama; Bobby Carpenter (OLB), The Ohio State University; D'Qwell Jackson (OLB), Maryland
Dream scenario: Nick Mangold (C), The Ohio State University
Mangold is not an unrealistic wish here. He is the best C on the board and is an extremely smart player and an instant starter. If he is gone, look for Joseph to be called. This is against the typical Packer draft philosophy of picking OL in later rounds, but the talent that will be available here is too great to ignore, especially with the issues on the OL the Packers have. Kiwanuka is a great pass rushing DE and is similar to KGB, but is fairly weak against the run, just like KGB. Although the two of them on the field on passing downs would be a heck of a speed rushing duo. Hali is a bigger DE, but isn't really a huge pass-rushing threat, but still has a good deal of talent. If Hawk is not taken in the first round, look for one of those LB to get called, likely Jackson. Gotta address that poor LB situation.
Round 3
My Pick: Martin Nance (WR), Miami of OH
Other possibilities: Max Jean-Giles (OG) Georgia, Mark Anderson (DE), Alabama; Brian Calhoun (RB), Wisconsin; Derek Hagen (WR), ASU
Dream scenario: Brian Calhoun (OK, I'm a homer)
With the whole Javon Walker thing going on, look for TT to grab a WR here. I like Nance as he is a big, fast WR that TT loves, and is a big playmaker. Had he had a good combine workout, he would be an early 2nd rounder. Hagan is a solid WR much in the mold of Driver, except bigger and taller. Good route runner, excellent hands, will go across the middle. Only knock is that doesn't have that elite speed to go deep. Giles would add much needed depth the to OG position and challenge for a starting spot. He's a bit big for the zone blocking scheme, but still has real good potential. Anderson is a tweener DE/OLB, but would come to GB as a pass-rushing DE. Not as athletic as Kiwanuka and doesn't have the credentials he does, but loads of upside. Calhoun would be a great addition and could even start as the 3rd down back. With the injury history of Green and Davenport, doesn't hurt to have another set of legs back there.
Other players I would love to see drafted by the Packers after round 3: Greg Eslinger (C), Minnesota; Brandon Williams (WR), Wisconsin; any OL help we can get and additional WR.
I'm going to try and post this weekend during the draft to give my immediate reactions to what happens. I still predict that TT is going to trade down at some point to get more draft picks. If he doesn't get enough, he may go all Schindler on us like "This 3rd rounder, I could have gotten a 4th and 6th. This 4th rounder, a 6th and 7th" and continue mumbling to himself like that until Harlan drives him away back to Lombardi Avenue.
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