The following odds are for entertainment purposes. A couple of assumptions are made, the first being that the Packers remain at the No. 28 slot in the first round of the draft and do not trade either up or down. The odds also reflect the likelihood that a player will still be on the board by the time the 28th selection comes around.

• Boise State outside linebacker Shea McClellin, 4-to-1 odds––The high-rising prospect is a popular choice of the Green Bay Packers in internet mock drafts. He also fills a need for the Packers who are looking to fill the starter's position opposite Clay Matthews at the right outside linebacker spot. McClellin compares favorably to Matthews, which only fuels the speculation that the Boise State prospect fills what the Packers are looking for from the position.
• The field, 5-to-1 odds––Ted Thompson is unpredictable. Who would have guess that he'd draft defensive lineman Justin Harrell back in 2007? It's also harder to predict who will still be available late in round one than it is earlier in the round. And based upon the selections of Aaron Rodgers in 2005 and Bryan Bulaga in 2010, the Packers haven't been afraid to pull the trigger on a player that slides further than predicted.
• Michigan State defensive lineman Jerel Worthy, 7-to-1 odds––The Packers are badly in need of pass rush help, and Worthy just may be the best pass-rushing defensive lineman still available by the time pick No. 28 rolls around. Questions about his ability to play on early downs, particularly defending the run, still need to be answered.
• Connecticut defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, 9-to-1 odds––Reyes has the potential to be a more well-rounded defensive lineman than Worthy, but he also perhaps doesn't have the upside of Worthy either. Regardless, Reyes is the safer choice and could be the type of player that will be able to pick up where Cullen Jenkins left off.
• Wisconsin center Peter Konz, 10-to-1 odds––The Packers have obvious needs on the defensive side of the ball, but if they're going to truly stick to the best player available philosophy, Konz may be the guy. Not only is he the undisputed No. 1 center prospect in the Draft, the Packers need to find the long-term replacement for newly signed Jeff Saturday.
• Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, 12-to-1 odds––At one point, the thought that Upshaw would still be available by the 28th pick in the Draft seemed like fantasy. After displaying pedestrian athleticism during his pro day workout, Upshaw is now a mock draft slider and a more realistic option for the Packers late in round one.
• USC outside linebacker Nick Perry, 12-to-1 odds––Perry brings high pass rush potential to the table, but the issue still to be resolved is whether he's suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system or he even wants to. Perry stated at the NFL Combine that he's more comfortable with his hand in the dirt. However, a couple million dollars has the tendency to change a player's mind.
• Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, 15-to-1 odds––There seems to be an infatuation in Pittsburgh with Hightower making it perhaps unlikely he'll slide past the 24th pick in the draft. But if he does, Hightower brings an intriguing ability that he can play either inside or outside linebacker that will make him difficult to pass up.

Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].