Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Let's Talk Draft for a Minute

Because I always try to be honest with you guys, I have to tell you that this column won't be what I intended it to be. I initially had planned on doing a mock draft the Packers, spanning all seven rounds of the NFL draft. Unfortunately, my knowledge of guys that will go in round 3 - round 7 is limited, and I'm not slapping down the fee for ESPN Insider just to read what Todd McShay or Mel Kiper think. So instead, brace yourselves for Packers Mock Draft: Round 1 and Round 2!

Round 1, Pick 30 - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

The Packers could really do anything with this pick which means one of two things. One, we don't have any glaring need for a starter, which is great, and hopefully the case if you're the 30th pick in the draft. Two, with that said, there are some depth concerns, especially as some of our cornerbacks and offensive lineman get a little older. I thought about giving the Packers a quarterback here, and that's something Ted Thompson may very well choose to do. I have to agree with those who think this is a draft where Ted will just draft the best player available, and then we'll go from there. However, I think because of how bad our corners were exposed in the NFC Championship Game, that's ultimately where the Pack will turn in round 1. The consensus pick seemed to be Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee, but he's going as high as tenth now. I'd love to see the Pack end up with Aqib Talib from Kansas, but he'll probably be off the board by then. So I'm going to go with Flowers, even though he's not maybe as big or fast as the Packers would like, he's is another aggressive and physical back. Although as I'm typing this I thought about switching the pick to Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL), so really like I said this spot is wide open.

Round 2, Pick 56 - Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

Packers, if they haven't already, will be looking quarterback here, and at this point Woodson is the best one available. Guys like Chad Henne, Brian Brohm, and Joe Flacco will most likely be gone at this point, and the next best guys are probably Woodson or John David Booty. Something tells me though this pick might get traded, and I don't think Ted has traded up yet in the draft with Green Bay so we'll see. Either way, expect the Packers to take a quarterback in the first two rounds because currently there is nobody of note backing up Aaron Rodgers (if we re-sign Craig Nall, that'd be great, but we still need to draft a guy). Just like drafting Rodgers in '05 didn't spell the end of the Favre era, drafting a QB in '08 won't end the Rodgers era. It will just give the Packers some much needed insurance for their promising, yet injury-prone quarterback.

Round 2, Pick 60 - Fred Davis, TE, Southern Cal

I thought about a lineman here, either defensive or offensive, but the Packers need for a back-up tight end is similiar to their need for a backup quarterback. Both positions have solid, young guys starting with little depth behind them. If Davis is there, we'll grab him, otherwise maybe Pat Sims, DT, Auburn or Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas.

So that's what I got for you so far, but again, this is probably the least credible Mock Draft on the web right now. I'd like to get a discussion going in the comments, so feel free to leave your thoughts.

2 comments:

Jonk said...

I'm going to be disappointed if they draft a quarterback that high this year. Yes, Rodgers isn't a sure thing, but you need to show a commitment to him right now. I don't think adding another highly-drafted young quarterback shows that.

We've seen journeymen like Jake Delhomme, Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, and Chris Chandler in the Super Bowl in recent years. These guys are the kind of player who should be backing up Aaron Rodgers right now... somebody who, if pressed into action, will give a solid if unspectacular workmanlike performance (note: not a Vince Workmanlike performance).

I'd rather go forward this year with Aaron Rodgers, Veteran Backup to be determined, and a quality talent at another position in round 2.

Even without Brett Favre, this team should be considered a contender for the conference championship. Rodgers, for all intents and purposes, is a rookie. I don't think it's wise to have two rookies atop the quarterback depth chart of a team that could potentially be in a position to advance far.

Winks said...

All very good points, however I think if we wanted a veteran journeyman we would have signed one by now. Although maybe Ted is waiting until some salary cap casualties June 1st.

However, it only took five months, but we finally have our first Vince Workman reference!

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