Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl Game

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl Game

East West Shrine Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

East West Shrine Game

A

2009 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

There are a number of teams transitioning to the 3-4 defense this year, including the Packers.  The Packers did a great job with their draft to help with that transition.  With all the noise being made by their division rivals, especially at quarterback (Stafford, Cutler, Favre), the Pack has the best QB in the division for now and for the future.  It's early in the process, but the moves they made in the draft has me thinking division title for Green Bay.

DRAFT PICKS

The draft unfolded perfectly for Green Bay and they got they player they needed in Raji.  When you think 3-4 teams you think New England.  They built their defense using first round picks on college defensive tackles, Seymour, Warren and Wilfork, moving two of then to defensive end.  Green Bay followed suit with the selection of Raji.  Raji has the size and strength to play the nose very effectively in the NFL.  However, I hear that they may start him off at end.  While I believe he will be best served long term at the nose, having him initially play end could make the Packers' defense tough to diagnose.  They can line up in the 3-4, or slide Raji inside, have Kampman put his hand on the ground and instantly become a 4-3 defense.  Raji will be a long time top level starter for the Packers.

With everyone falling in love with the athletic defensive ends being projected to outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, Matthews, a linebacker perfect for 3-4 defense was a bit overlooked.  For example, I expect Matthews to be a better all around player in the Packers' 3-4 than English will be for the Chargers.  Matthews is fast, quick and athletic and will be a key piece of Green Bay's defense for years.

Lang is a strong kid with quick feet who will be a versatile backup at guard and right tackle.  A minor point here is that I like the upside of Seth Olsen at guard more than Lang, and Olsen was available.  However, Lang does offer more versatility as a backup.

Quinn Johnson is a good run blocker who showed fine hands at Senior Bowl practices.  I cannot fault the pick, however, with Javon Ringer available, I would have gone in that direction.  Grant is a key to this offense and the Pack will not win the division if he gets hurt or does not play to the level of two years ago.  Jackson and Wynn are okay backups but not near Grant.  Ringer is a player I like much more than most and would have been someone who could have come in and kept the offense rolling in case of a Grant injury or drop-off.

Meredith was a steal in round five.  He comes with some off-the-field concerns which is why he was available in round five, but has the tools to be a top lineman at tackle or guard.

Wynn will need to add strength and bulk to play end in a 3-4 defense.  He has good instincts and a good motor so he could develop.  Personally, I would have gone with Sulak at this spot as pass rushing outside linebacker to provide depth and a piece for the nickel.

Underwood was excellent value in round six.  He has good size, strength, speed and athleticism.  He also has plus cover skills and a nose for the ball.  He will help on special teams and, down the line, allow the Pack to consider allowing Collins to walk if he becomes too expensive.

While Jones could find a role as a backup linebacker, he is made for special team cover units.  He has good speed and quickness.  If the Packers did as I would have and selected Sulak instead of Wynn, I would have drafted Clinton McDonald here.  He is a very strong and, while primarily a defensive tackle at Memphis, tested off the board (speed, quickness, athleticism) and is an intriguing developmental prospect as a 3-4 end.

 COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Simmons is a tough kid with good size and sneaky speed.  He has a tough chore ahead of him to make this team, but I wouldn't count him out.

Sutton is a short back who fell out of the draft because he did not show the speed and quickness expected during workouts.  Also, for a tough kid he only did 12 bench presses.  However, he runs hard, is a good kick returner and plays better than he works out.  Still, the odds are against him.

Obiozor is a fast, quick defensive end who could transition to outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 defense.  Look for the Pack to stash him on their development squad.

Williams is a top athlete.  He has good size and acceptable speed but, like Simmons, has his work cut out for him to make the team.  However, look for Simmons and/or Williams to stick on Green Bay's development squad.

For the most part, the Packers seemed to value the players they drafted slightly more than me.  The one position I felt the Packers could have used a potential stud in was defensive tackle since Williams left, Jolly is coming off injury, and Harrell needs work.  In fact I'll go on the record and say that the Pack blew it by not taking Trevor Laws with their first pick in the second round.

DRAFT PICKS

In addition to my statement that this pick should have been Laws, the Pack selected Nelson a round too high in my opinion.  However, I am only one for two when analyzing recent Packer receivers.  I loved the Jennings selection, but was not that high on Jones (and I still think Jones will be a #3 or #4 long term).  Nelson had excellent production his senior year catching 122 passes, mainly out of the slot.  The Pack hopes they drafted the next Wes Welker.  He is bigger and faster than Welker, but not as quick.  Personally, as a receiver I liked Jackson, Sweed, Caldwell and Hawkins more at this spot.

Brohm was an interesting pick.  When selected I thought it was a smart pick, not because I don't believe in Rodgers, I do (he was my #1 rated QB ahead of Smith in 2005), but because he is close to NFL-ready as a backup for Rodgers.  If Rodgers goes down, Brohm should be able to step in and do a credible job.

Lee provides the Pack with a solid young corner to bring along behind Woodson and Harris.  Lee has good size and will be better outside than in the slot meaning Blackwell could be the nickel while Lee could be called on ahead of Blackwell should Woodson or Harris go down.  Lee has solid cover skills and plays physically.  He is a nice fit for the Packers' defensive scheme.

Tight end was a position of need for Green Bay and, in my opinion, they should have done better than Finley in round three.  Personally, I would have targeted Cottam in this draft if I were Green Bay management.  If that meant passing on Lee and grabbing Cottam there and corner in Finley's spot, that's what I would have done.  Assuming Lee was off the board at that spot, one of the corners selected between 61 and 90 probably would have fallen, or the Pack could have selected a corner like Justin King.  Finley will be okay, but is strictly an average-backup-type.

Thompson could be a pleasant surprise for Green Bay.  The kid has the physical tools to be a very good pass rusher.  He injured his knee in his sophomore year and wasn't full strength until his senior year.  His best football could be in front of him.

Sitton played tackle in college but may be better at guard in the NFL.  He has good strength, quickness and athleticism and could develop into a reliable, versatile backup at worst.

Giacomini is a recent convert from tight end.  He will need some time but is an interesting developmental prospect.

The selection of Flynn is either head-scratching or genius.  One would think with two young quarterbacks, an experienced player would be sought out as the team's third quarterback.  However, Brohm is close to NFL-ready.  So if Flynn shows he could develop into a solid backup, the team could trade Brohm down the line (in three years?) for a number one pick.  So immediate value for Brohm, and maybe a future number one.  Of course this assumes Flynn comes through.  He is a smart player who has only one year as a starter at LSU and is an ideal developmental quarterback.

With the depth at receiver, Swain's best chance is as a practice squad player.  He was productive when called upon at San Diego State and showed better speed than advertised at his Pro Day.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Haynos was an excellent free agent signing by Green Bay.  He catches the ball well, even though he looks awkward at times.  He is more athletic and quicker than Finley and is the better blocker.  Haynos looks better and better the more you see him.  He could sneak up on Finley in camp, especially if Finley is reluctant to improve his blocking.

Lumpkin has average speed, average quickness, and average athleticism, but had his moments at Georgia in 2006.  

I like Taj Smith more than Swain.  He has very good speed, is quick, can change directions very well and is a top athlete.  He averaged almost 19 yards a catch his senior year.  He could steal a roster spot if he shows reliable hands.  Worst case he is a top candidate for the Packers' practice squad.

I saw transaction lists indicating that Mapp signed with Green Bay.  I did not see him on the teams' roster on their web site and did not see him cut in the transaction logs.  Mapp is a strong kid who can help on special teams and can develop in a backup SAM who can play the run off the blocks of tight ends and do a credible job in coverage against most tight ends.

Riley is a smallish linebacker some thought could transition to strong safety in the NFL.  His numbers didn't quite cut it as a safety, so he will have to earn a job as a backup linebacker and special teams player.