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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Green Bay Packers
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (9): 9, 41, 73, 83, 109, 145, 182, 187, 218
Defensive Line – It goes without saying a true nose is the most
important element of a 3-4. The Packers are changing from a 4-3 and
therefore will be forced to select their best available talent, Ryan
Pickett, and put him in that role. He is there in part because no one
else on the roster is close to being able to fill the role. Therefore
the importance of finding someone who can in the draft jumps up in
priority. Colin Cole might have been able to give it a shot, but he
signed with Seattle. As for the players at end, for the moment Cullen
Jenkins and Johnny Jolly are penciled in to start. Jenkins is a
question mark while he comes back from a pectoral injury that ended his
2008 campaign. Jolly has an issue off the field, and is moving from
tackle in this new alignment. Switching alignments is always risky and
the more talent on hand to compete for starting roles the better.
Offensive Tackle – The days of having Chad Clifton and Mark
Tauscher as bookend tackles are over. Clifton might have a little left
in the tank at left tackle, but Tauscher is recovering from a knee
injury and in free agency limbo. Now the task could be to emulate the
2000 draft that brought this pair into the fold with second (Clifton)
and seventh (Tauscher) round picks. Last year’s fifth round selection
Breno Giacomini is a factor on the right side, and there will be no
panic moves made to shore up this position. Patience and careful
selection will be the strategy. Of course it would be great to land a
future left tackle, but I expect them to be seeking a quality sleeper
while their young talent develops.
Cornerback – There is simply no overlooking the fact that
Charles Woodson (32) and Al Harris (34) are reaching the end of the
line. The pair has combined to play in 324 games and pick off 55
passes. Pat Lee (Auburn) was drafted late in the second round last year
and Will Blackmon took on a larger role in his third season. Those
players are part of the equation, but a future starter needs to be
sought out sooner than later. There is constantly talk of Charles
Woodson sliding to free safety although the signing of Anthony Smith
(Steelers) for depth at that spot might put off the switch. Any way
this pie is cut up a true corner must be added.
Outside Linebacker – Aaron Kampman will stand up and step back
from his end position to fill one rush linebacker spot. The other side
needs to be addressed aggressively. Anyone who places outside
linebacker in a 3-4 has to be able to get after the passer. It is a
crucial element to the formation being effective. Right now they have
too much mediocrity inside and not enough dynamic talent outside.
Tight End – I’m not sure exactly where Donald Lee went wrong,
but he really fell off the map. In 2007 he was on the fantasy football
map with 575 yards receiving. This past season his average yardage per
reception dropped from 12.0 to a pitiful 7.8. Of that 4.2 yard
difference, 2.7 came after he had the football in his hands. Jermichael
Finley could be the answer, but in the late rounds someone who can
block a lot and catch a little will be sought.
Inside Linebacker – Nick Barnett, currently rehabbing from
tearing his ACL, and A.J. Hawk will be the starters in the team’s new
3-4. When pressed into duty Desmond Bishop had a couple of good
outings. As the defense tries fit players into this formation adding
talent is inevitable. Rookie free agent Spencer Havner might have a
future, and Brandon Chillar did manage to finish third on the team in
tackles with a modest 69. I could see the team standing pat until they
really evaluate these players, but I always look for additions when a
switch is made.
Punter – Derrick Frost really struggled to the point that he
was replaced in the final month of the season by Jeremy Kapinos. The
good news for Kapinos was landing 7 of 17 punts inside the 20, but his
average (39.2) was even worse than Frost (42.1). There is little chance
the Packers will not bring in another punter to compete. Come to think
of it, kicking a frozen football far might be so easy. Good luck to the
next guy who earns this job.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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