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With the 30^th overall selection, the Green Bay Packers select…

Outside of that whole Brett Favre retiring thing, it has been a very quiet off-season in Titletown.  Green Bay did deal defensive lineman Corey Williams to Cleveland for a second-round pick (56^th overall) while also releasing long-time tight end Bubba Franks.  Other than that, the Packers figure to have a similar make-up on the field as they did one year ago during their miraculous 13-3 season.

With that being said, if there is ever a time to utilize the “take the best player on your board” strategy; this is it.  Green Bay has no glaring needs anywhere on their roster except for depth at the quarterback position, but that will likely be addressed through a free agent acquisition or trade for a veteran.  Sure they could use up-grades at certain positions.  There isn’t a lot of depth at tight end behind Donald Lee.  Both tackles, Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton are getting up their in age, as are starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Woodson.  The guard play was inconsistent at times last season and Thompson loves having a lot of depth along the defensive line.  In other words, who knows which direction the Packers will go in the draft?  We do know Green Bay has three of the top 60 picks and should be able to add some depth to three of their areas of “concern” (I loosely use that term.) 

This draft class is especially deep at the cornerback position which has many people believing that the Packers may grab whoever falls to the number 30 spot and hope he can play the nickel back position, another spot that was inconsistent for Green Bay last season.  The most likely candidates who could wind up slipping to the Pack are Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers, Kansas’ Aqib Talib (not to be confused with hip-hop artist Talib Kweli), or Antoine Cason of Arizona.  Either guy would give the Packers’ secondary a young talent that should boost the core’s play in nickel and dime situations.

Another popular question among the media centers on what would happen if Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm happens to slip down to the number 30 spot.  Thompson said he has not ruled out taking a QB early in the draft, even though the young Rodgers is set to take control of the offense.  I am of the mind-set that this would be a bad idea.  Sure, it would be nice insurance in case Rodgers turns out to be a complete flop.  However, If Rodgers proves to be a reliable NFL quarterback, then selecting a signal caller is a complete waste of a high pick.  Plus, I think Green Bay needs to focus on bringing in a veteran quarterback via trade to back up Rodgers rather than relying on a rookie with no professional experience to serve as the back-up.

If cornerback is the route the Packers go in the first round, I would love to see them draft a tight end with one of their second round picks.  Lee has proven to be a great weapon in the pass game, but what they will miss from Franks is his ability to serve as a sixth offensive lineman in the run attack.  A prospect like Texas A&M’s Martellus Bennett could be a great choice with the 56^th or 60^th pick.  USC’s Fred Davis could also be available, but scouts are not very high on his run blocking skill.  Purdue’s Dustin Keller could be an option if he is available in the first round, but like Davis, Keller is known more for his athleticism than physicality. 

As for the other second round selection, I’m open to anything.  If there is a tackle worthy of the pick that could develop playing behind Tauscher and Clifton, I think Thompson will take a serious look at that possibility.  Thompson also seems to have a keen ability to draft an unheralded wide receiver around this time of the draft.  While wide-out certainly is not a pressing need, another play-maker for the inexperienced Rodgers would not be a terrible thing.  If Green Bay does not take a corner in the first round, I would be surprised if they did not take one in the second or third round.