Post-draft thoughts & 53 man positioning

• 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 3^rd WR.  Not many, if any, teams can boast about having a 4^th 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 6^th 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 4^th 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 10^th DB is questionable but plausible.

I think the Packers will have 26 offensive players, 24 defensive players, and three specialists.