Grading the 2006 Packers Draft

After all, grading drafts are so much fun. You heard my running commentary (however ill-informed it was), so let's see what some people who get paid to follow football think about the Packers draft (and the division rivals as well). We came out great.

John Czarnecki, Fox Sports
Green Bay: The Packers went for intelligent, all-around football players starting with all-everything linebacker A.J. Hawk, who can play the middle and also be a nickel linebacker. Boise State offensive tackle Daryn Colledge could end up being a starting guard this season while Jason Spitz of Louisville was another critical need at center. Green Bay lost its three best interior linemen from the 2004 season. Cory Rodgers of TCU and Will Blackmon of Boston College will be shooting to break the lineup as a receiver. The only knock on the Packers was giving up on Javon Walker, a former first-round pick and a Pro Bowl player, for a second-round choice. They could end up regretting that trade. Grade: B+. 5th best overall draft.

Rest of the division: Detroit Grade: C (14th best overall); Chicago Grade: D (3rd worst); Minnesota Grade: D (2nd worst).


Mel Kiper, ESPN
The Packers had a lot of picks (12) and definitely some reaches. Linebacker A.J. Hawk will give the Packers a much-needed face on defense. Offensive tackle Daryn Colledge needs to get stronger and become a better run blocker. I really like wide receiver Greg Jennings, linebacker Abdul Hodge and and Jason Spitz. I gave Green Bay an A after the first day. Will Blackmon was both a wide receiver and cornerback at Boston Collge, but reportedly will get a chance to play corner initially. Grade: B

Rest of the division: Detroit Grade: C+; Chicago Grade: B; Minnesota Grade: C+


Dan Pompei, Sporting News
With linebackers A.J Hawk and Abdul Hodge, the Packers have the beginnings of a defense that could dominate the NFC North for years. Grade: A+, best overall draft.

Rest of the division: Detroit Grade: B (15th overall); Chicago Grade: B- (21st overall); Minnesota Grade: C (4th worst)


Rob Rang, AOL sports
Maybe Brett Favre had a deep look at the Green Bay draft board before agreeing to come back. With as solid a first day as any team in the league, the Packers utilized their five first day picks to fulfill needs while still maintaining value. Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk is certainly the big name. However, the selection of two durable, consistent offensive linemen in Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz likely made Favre even happier. Western Michigan's Greg Jennings was one of the better fits for the West Coast Offense and was highly valued by several other teams using this scheme. Certainly he was a need pick with the team unloading the disgruntled Javon Walker to the Broncos. Finally, inside linebacker Abdul Hodge, could prove to be a third-round steal. His presence, along with Hawk and young star Nick Barnett might strengthen a linebacker corps considered a team weakness. Expect to see fourth round picks Cory Rodgers and Will Blackmon have plenty of opportunities to impress. Each has shown the ability to in the open field to make an immediate impact on special teams and both have receiving skills, though Blackmon's ultimate NFL position could be cornerback. Grade: A-

Rest of the division: Detroit Grade: B; Chicago Grade: B; Minnesota Grade: B-


This is what I can find for now, I'll post more when they come out. But it's pretty clear that the Packers did an outstanding job on draft day. They made some big strides in improving their team. The rest of the division did not do so good. Detroit had a decent draft after years of bungling them. Chicago didn't do so well, but they really don't have many holes to fill. Minnesota, well, they screwed the pooch. Outside of Greenway, their draft pretty much stunk. At the end of the weekend, we got improved more than the rest of the division did. Whether this translates to a better product on the field is debatable, but we certainly have a better start than they do.