Packers Draft 2009
It seems that all anyone wants, or has to for that matter, is to talk about the Packers 2009 NFL draft and combine news. Well, let's take a brief look at how round one is shaping up.
It seems that all anyone wants, or has to for that matter, is to talk about the Packers 2009 NFL draft and combine news. Well, let's take a brief look at how round one is shaping up.
As far as determining the number nine pick is concerned, GM Ted Thompson has stated, "I haven't even started working on that... there's going to be a pretty good player available to us."
Ted is of course holding his cards tight to his chest right now (no real surprise), but the draft board is starting to take shape. It was also refreshing to hear Thompson say he is not interested in parting with the pick. This leaves us with the talent possibly available after the first eight picks.
Here is a brief run-down of what that seems to look like right now.
From what I have been hearing, if the Packers do decide to go with an offensive tackle, the move might not be the wisest. Most scouts feel that the top three tackles will be off the board by the time the Packers pick rolls around. If the Packers were to look at offensive tackle they would probably be looking at a guy like Mississippi's Michael Oher. I would highly doubt that Thompson uses his pick on the fourth rated tackle with character concerns.
Alot of scouts don't feel that there is a lot of top defensive talent worthy of the first ten picks. Of those available, the oft mentioned Boston College NT B.J. Raji tops the lists of players that would fit nicely into the Packer's new 3-4 scheme. Outside of Raji it is a weak year for defensive tackles, and he should be the only one considered at number 9 if he is still available.
If Raji is gone expect the Packers to start looking at a deep and talented group of outside linebackers/defensive ends for Caper's new scheme. Some possibilities include:
Aaron Curry - LB Wake Forest
Everette Brown - DE Florida State
Aaron Maybin - DE Penn State
Tyson Jackson - DE Louisiana State
Brian Orakpo - DE Texas
Rey Maualuga - LB USC
If the Packers decide to fill a future need at cornerback, only one name, Malcolm Jenkins, from Ohio State should be considered at this position.
With such a light group of first round defensive talent, it is always possible that the Packers take the best man on the board, which quite likey will be on the offensive side of the ball.
I would be very surprised to see the Packers take either quarterbacks Mathew Stafford or Mark Sanchez, one of which should be available at nine.
If one name is still available at number nine that will cause some debate it will be that or Texas Tech wide reciever Michael Crabtree. With Crabtree's diagnoses of a stress fracture, his stock may fall some, but if he indeed impresses with his March running exhibition, the Packer's will be forced to take a long and hard look.
Other offensive possibilities:
Jeremy Maclin - WR Missouri
Chris "Beanie" Wells - RB Ohio State
Knowshon Moreno - RB Georgia
This is how I see the latest draft possibilities for the number nine pick right now. I am sure the draft board will change immensely once the combine is officially in the books.
Luckily, if Ted does pick a miss, there is plenty of talent in the next couple of rounds for those looking to bolster a 3-4 defense. Some of the prospects that could be of interest in the later rounds are:
Clay Matthews - LB USC
Larry English - DE NIU
Robert Ayers - LB Tennessee
Clint Sintim - LB Virginia
Cody Brown - DE Conneticut
One can assume that you will see at least two of the names from the above list in the green and gold next year. However, let us all remember that one can never judge the crafty mind of Ted Thompson.
(Stay Tuned)
Comments (9)
February 22, 2009 at 11:21 am
Rumor has it that Malcolm Jenkins doesn't seem to be in the conversation for being picked that high. A few places I have seen where he will get picked quite a bit lower than at 9. It's possible that the crop of corners is down this year because Vontae Davis from Illinois is sometimes rated as the #2 corner. Being an Illini fan, I would never want Davis on the Packers. He is extremely talented, but rarely does he put together an entire game of playing solid. Extremely inconsistent, and gives up way too many big plays. He seemed to be overrated his entire career with the Illini as well.
Alex Tallitsch
February 22, 2009 at 11:23 am
Yeah that's what you get when you aren't a fan of the Badgers. I don't like the Jenkins idea... at all.
February 22, 2009 at 11:27 am
Badgers are my second favorite. Mainly from my retarded partying times in Madison, plus ya gotta love Camp Randall. You gotta figure when Ron Turner was coaching the Illini, I had no chance at watching a bowl game. That made it easier to root for the Badgers.
February 22, 2009 at 01:58 pm
Never watched the combine before..
I see how coaches/gms can fall in love with a player that does well
February 22, 2009 at 05:12 pm
Thanks for the easy-to-understand breakdown, Alex. The draft is confusing to me, as I'm not willing to put in the time to learn about all those different players. If the top three OT's are off the board, I do not like any of the other options on offense. Thompson has already spent some high picks on WR's, with good results, and I think we already have two good RB's on the roster.
Yesterday I saw a mock draft where Raji was taken at #3 or #4, but if he's not there a good DE or OLB will do. It's hard to get excited about a CB. I am hoping for Patrick Lee to become a factor this season, and I think either Harris or Woodson, if not both of them, can continue to play well for another year or two.
February 22, 2009 at 05:38 pm
Pick-up a 3-4 sized DE as well in FA
February 28, 2009 at 01:51 pm
Raji is an absolute stud that I'm hoping falls to the number nine pick. Brown would also make a great addition to the linebacker position. I feel the greatest need is still for a dominant lineman. The 3-4 scheme should give our rivals in the north a challenge if we can add some power to our interior line and leverage our lateral speed at the linebacker position. The one aspect I've heard rumor of and disagree with is how the Packers will utilize Kampman. Some say we're looking at trasitioning him to an outside linebacker... I still feel he will be best suited at defensive end rather than linebacker. The different linebacker blitz packages will allow for him to get into more one on one situations as a DE. You acquire a few studs around him at LB or DT and watch out for some insane numbers this year.
March 10, 2009 at 12:43 am
there are only 2 guys i for sure want. i hope we can get at leastone, it will never be possible to get both unless TT does some major moving of picks. jarron gilbert and connor barwin.
March 21, 2009 at 02:40 pm
Currently, RAJI is slated to go to Seattle, from what most Pundits are saying.
That said, I also like Ron Brace, Raji's roommate at Boston College. And, truth is, Brace may actually be the better player. The one pick I don't favor is Everette Brown - DE Florida State. The feedback I'm reading about Players from Florida State has me a bit leery about grabbing anyone from that Program. I know we need a DE, guys, but I'm feelin' this one isn't who the Packers should be going after with our first pick.
When the Packers step up to the podium - I'd like to hear they've grabbed Brace (pending Raji is gone) or ALEX MACK. My bottom line is you shouldn't always grab the No.1 rated player when the 2nd highest rated player at that position will usually give you more, having a chip on their shoulders from being set lower than No. 1. MACK can not only play Center (and is currently slated as a Steeler's pick in Round One), but he can also play GUARD. I say why not slide down and grab the guy... I don't listen to the pundits on this. We should only focus on what's good for the Packers. To hell with the Pundits; especially those on the four-letter. Mayock is a better resource than just about anyone on the four-letter, with exception of JAWS when it comes to QB's. Jaworski should slide over to the NFL Network if he has a chance.
Here's another thought - what about grabbing Clay Matthews over Ray Maualuga for Linebacker?
For cheeseheads, this will be the most highly watched Draft since Mike Sherman's last turn at it. The latest Packer Report has a great comparison of Ron Wolf versus Ted Thompson when it comes to both Free Agency and the Draft. You take away Wolf's success at grabbing Reggie White, and they are mirror images of each other ...... seriously!