Last April, Packers general manager Ted Thompson did something out of the ordinary; or at least in his world. Instead of building what he always considers a delightful draft pick sundae with so many toppings that the white frosty part's identity becomes unknown, he took off a few toppings and traded up, not down, exposing the notion that sometimes it is better to have quality rather than quantity.
In exchange, Thompson was able to capture outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who recorded 10 sacks and 50 total tackles, bretathed new life into the Packers' once-impotent pass rush and made the pale general manager look brighter and more willing to bring quality to Green Bay.
The 2010 NFL Draft begins tonight, and I will be sitting on my brand new recliner with a brewski, a bag of Doritos and my mid-grade knowledge bank full of draft prospects. The only thing I don't have is the Mel Kiper wave. Then again, I'm only mid-grade.
Below is what I do know:
The Packers have one pick in the first round (23rd overall), one in the second round (56), one in the third round (86), one in the fourth round (122), two in the fifth round (154 and 169), one in the sixth round (193), and one in the seventh round (230) for a total of eight draft selections.
My list of prospects to watch (listed not only listed by round, but by what I believe Thompson would be looking for. These would not necessarily be my choices).
USC safety Taylor Mays -- Mays is a hard hitting safety who lacks strong cover skills, but would be a great fit behind Atari Bigby, and next to ball-hawking pro bowler Nick Collins until he gets up to NFL speed. He would also fill an immediate need in the Packers secondary. He currently is a projected first-round selection, and did play with Matthews.
West Virginia offensive tackle Selvish Capers -- Sure, the Packers recently signed both Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton, but the tackles are over the NFL hill at ages 32 and 33, respectively. Plus, the green and gold needs to start grooming someone to protect Aaron Rodgers. The 6-5, 295-pound Capers is quick off the line and would fit the zone-blocking scheme that coach Mike McCarthy wants to continue using. Thompson may have trade up from pick number 24 in the second round to grab Capers, but he‘s worth the risk.
Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas -- Anybody who watched any Crimson Tide football last season was probably dazzled by Arenas' natural talent and playmaking ability. The 5-9 cornerback really busted out of his shell on a defense full of solid players. Arenas also tackles well, has soft hands, and is perhaps the best kick/punt returner in the draft. He doesn't have long speed to play in man coverage, but would be a perfect fit in the as a nickel back, and would fill the Packers need for a return specialist. He's a great third-round value.
Brigham Young tight end Dennis Pitta -- Many Packer fans remember the days of the Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson combo; two tight ends who not only could make big plays, but took pressure off wide receivers like Antonio Freeman and Don Beebe. Consider Pitta, if placed in the Packers offense, as potentially a modern day "Chewy" with a little Dallas Clark mixed in, which would permit Jermichael Finley to play the role of Jackson. Pitta is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in this class, has the speed to line up in the slot and can block well when asked. He would be a great value pick in the fourth round, who has the potential of sneaking his way in to the third, and would give No. 12 yet another potential big-play target with proper developing.
Notre Dame offensive guard/tackle Sam Young -- Young is a beast, standing tall at almost 6-8, and can play both guard and tackle. Early in his career some thought he would be a first round pick, but he has had some trouble with footwork and technique over the course of his college career with the Fighting Irish. He has plenty of big-game experience, and would be a nice developmental player behind some of the veterans on the green and gold trench line. He is projected to be a fifth-round pick, but could slide up if more teams believe he can fix his flaws.
Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka -- Kafka definitely fits the Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy mold. He has a strong and accurate arm, scrambles fairly well and knows when to put touch on the ball. Kafka would have to settle in behind Matt Flynn as the number three option and probably wouldn't see the field anytime in the near future. However, he would be in the perfect environment to learn the NFL ropes, and wouldn't be far from his hometown of Chicago. This would be the Packers' late fifth round compensatory pick.
North Carolina defensive end E.J. Wilson -- Wilson is one of my favorite defensive prospects in this draft. He's not a player who's going to make a lot of big plays, and he didn't compile dazzling stats. However, he is a physically gifted player who is quick around the edge, will do everything asked and carries no injury history. More important, he's coachable, would fit well in the 3-4 scheme and was the anchor for a North Carolina defense that has seen historically good defensive ends succeed in the NFL, including Chicago's Julius Peppers. He's being projected to be taken off the board in the seventh round, but the vibe that surrounds him may be too pleasing for Mr. Thompson to pass up in the sixth.
LSU cornerback Chris Hawkins -- The word that best describes the former Tiger is experienced. After he redshirted in 2005, Hawkins played in 51 games over the course of the last four seasons, and was a key cog in LSU's stout defense. He can play in man-to-man coverage fairly well, and has the 4.43 speed (in the 40-yard dash) to run with most wide receivers in the NFC North not named Harvin. He would definitely contribute right away on special teams, and offers more reward than risk, especially in the seventh round.
The one player I would love to see in a Packers uniform is Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty.
Hardesty is perhaps the most pro-ready running back in this class who could contribute at a high level right away. He is a patient runner, who has great vision and breaks plenty of tackles. Hardesty would be a nice complement back to Ryan Grant.
The one player who I think will pull over the green and gold is North Carolina defensive end E.J. Wilson.
As stated above, Wilson is a 3-4 defensive end who would provide great depth on any down, and also has the speed to stand up and play linebacker in a pinch.
My Ideal Draft Day Scenario
As much as this pains me to say, I believe that the Packers should trade out of the first round and obtain two second round picks if they find the right partner who would want to take one of their fifth round selections along with the first round pick.
After looking through the draft talent, I really like what the second round has to offer much more than the first. Plus, with three second-round picks they could reel in Hardesty, Capers, and possibly South Florida safety Nate Allen. Allen is by far the safest bet at his position in the draft. He can play well in any scheme, will come up and support against the run, has good measurables and would bring versatility. He would be the Packers first choice in the second round, while Hardesty and Capers would follow.
Then in the third round, the Packers could still go after Arenas, or if they want someone who plays better man coverage they could pluck California's Syd'Quan Thompson, who would probably be a first-round pick if not for height concerns. Thompson started all 13 games for the Bears in 2009, his fourth consecutive season doing so, and established a school record of 52 starts. He also earned first team All-Pac-10 honors.
After that, I would fill needs at quarterback, and on the offensive and defensive lines. To cap off my draft, I would select Newberry wideout Kelton Tindal in the final round. Tindal is a good return specialist, and possibly the fastest player in the draft. The only team that could stand in the way of drafting the small school product is that speed infected Raiders team out west.
