- Post-draft thoughts
I liked what Ted did in the draft!...got two players with
pass-rush ability and great over-all potential.
He also drafted a ball-hawk in Casey Hayward. Worst case Ted drafted two immediate starters
and possibly a third with Hayward (5th db worst case projection).
Draft trader Ted...I thought it was interesting that NE
traded-up twice and so did Ted.
Ted's 3rd draft-day trade was interesting too but I don’t
have high expectations for him in 2012.
I think all eight draft picks make the final 53.
- 53 man positioning
Quarterbacks: I think Mike & Ted will want to keep three & Graham Harrell becomes
the #2 with B.J. Coleman as #3
Running backs: Kuhn, Starks, Green (if healthy), and
then the competition begins with Saine vs the two undrafted free-agents
(Bennett & Tyler). Definitely have
to keep four but could keep five. If Green
is healthy I’d consider keeping four.
Wide Receiver:
Definitely keep five but could easily keep six; probably the deepest position on team. Greg Jennings is a pro-bowl player; entering
his last season under contract at a very expensively paid position. Jordy Nelson is my favorite Packers WR; he
really stepped-up and stood-out in 2011 and in my view is 1b at WR. Randall Cobb is an outstanding return man who
I believe will also be the 3rd WR.
Not many, if any, teams can boast about having a 4th as
talented as James Jones. I still think
Donald Driver can play well in a reserve role plus, more importantly, his
leadership should not be underestimated.
Of the remaining WRs, Tori Gurley intrigues me the most because of his
size and raw ability.
Tight Ends:
They’ll go with four if Quarless is on PUP (and I think he will be).
Offensive Line:
Eight/nine appears to be the roster limit: 1) Bulaga 2) Sitton 3)
Saturday 4) Lang 5) Newhouse 6) Sherrod 7) Dominguez 8/9)
Datko/Genus/Dietrich-Smith
Defensive Line:
Raji, Pickett, and Worthy then the competition begins. They typically keep six but could go five early in the season. Statistically, it appears Wynn warrants being
#5 (Daniels is #4 unless IR’d). C.J.
Wilson or Guy would be the 6th DL.
It will be very interesting to see what happens when Neal and Hargrove
return.
Line Backers: Have
to keep eight but could keep nine (five OLB).
I’ve seen too numerous to count blogs/blog comments regarding A.J.
Hawk’s shortfalls. I realize he has
shortfalls but also believe many in the blog-sphere expect too much from him
based-on his draft position and pay.
Yeah, he definitely is over-paid but that is not his shortfall! DJ Smith is a keeper and someone to develop
inside; the 4th inside position is up for grabs but my guess is it
goes to drafted rookie Terrell Manning.
CM3 & Nick Perry as book-end OLBs is exciting! Back-up OLB is wide open with Jones, So’oto,
Zombo, Lattimore, and Walden competing for two, maybe three spots. I hope they keep So’oto and Lattimore.
Defensive Backs:
Keep nine possibly ten. Obvious
hold-over players CW, TW, Burnett, Shields, Bush, probably House, definitely
Hayward, probably McMillian, and likely Peprah makes nine. Keeping M.D. Jennings or Sean Richardson as
the 10th DB is questionable but plausible.
I think the Packers will have 26 offensive players, 24
defensive players, and three specialists.
