Green Bay Packers 2012 Draft Class: Where Do the Rest Fit In?

We've talked about Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy individually, but before Packer Day here at the NFC North blog dies down, we need to talk about the rest.

The first two rounds of any draft come with high expectations, no matter what anyone says. If you go on Day One or early Day Two, you have to perform. You'll get more time to bust than the other rounds, but the pressure is bigger, too.

The third through seventh rounds have a different type of pressure, one which comes with the hunger to prove that you were overlooked and should have been taken sooner.

The best teams—the ones in the hunt year in and year out—do well in the later rounds. I believe—and many others have said—that championships are won and lost in the later rounds.

So these guys, though they may not have the sheen of a high draft pick, are just as critical to the Super Bowl effort as anyone else.

I know I am a broken record, but I point to the first Giants-Pats Super Bowl. The Giants won that game with multiple rookies playing; you don't do that unless you draft well in the late rounds.

Round 2, Pick 30 (62-from Patriots): Casey Hayward, DB, Vanderbilt

Hayward is a play-maker and one of the more instinctive corners in the draft class. It will be interesting to see where he fits in, but I have a few ideas, some of which I know for a fact several of you won't like.

We start with the departure of Nick Collins. Now, I'm sure there were plans and contingencies in place for this, and I know Coach McCarthy has said Charles Woodson won't be switching to safety, but as I don't trust coaches and McCarthy is very tight with his real plans, that could still happen.

Whether Woodson moves now or retires in a few years, Hayward has a good shot to be his replacement. If Woodson remains where he is, I can't think of a better place for a young corner to be and develop.

It's entirely possible Hayward moves to safety himself, though he's a bit high of a draft pick for it and round four's Jerron McMillian is a more likely Collins replacement. If Hayward doesn't pan out for some reason at corner, he might move then (a not uncommon occurrence).

I like what Hayward brings to the table and having waited an extra round to get a corner, the Packers end up with a good one.

Round 4, Pick 37 (132—Compensatory Selection): Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa

Daniels is a tad undersized for a tackle, but he makes up for it in effort and technique. he keeps his pad level low, fires off the snap and uses his leverage to keep clean on the rush.

Of course, his size is an issue, as he won't always hold up at the point of attack on a run play, and he is a little limited in what he can do. Again though, this guy is an overachiever, so it shouldn't be a shock if you see him produce more than expected. He might even be able to gain some weight and muscle prior to the season.

Expect to see him as a situational player, more than likely rotating in for guys like Raji and Worthy or if the defense decides to overload on the line.

Daniels is a solid player who might break the apparent ceiling on his worth through pure will.

Sounds like a Packer to me.

Round 4, Pick 38 (133—Compensatory Selection) Jerron McMillian, SS, Maine

The obvious thought is that McMillian will find himself battling incumbent Charlie Peprah for a spot in place of Nick Collins. McMillian probably will see time on special teams to start, but could very well steal Peprah's job with a good showing early.

He's not tall, but is pretty big and has some very good speed. Both will serve him well, as will his willingness to tackle.

McMillian is likely a bit of a project and may take some time to develop but I actually think he's just as likely to surprise us all and get his foot on the field before the year is out.

Round 5, Pick 28 (163—from Packers Via Patriots): Terrell Manning, OLB NC State

First, I find it amusing that the Packers made this pick with a pick they traded for, which originated from themselves in the first place.

Did you follow that? Such are the inner workings of Ted Thompson's mind.

Manning is a player with a ton of athleticism who needs to do a better job of keeping his pad level down and sometimes struggles against the run.

Where he excels is on passing downs, most notably in coverage. He does a great job waiting for a play to form and not moving too early. He can easily bump a receiver or running back off his route and closes very quickly when the ball is delivered.

Manning is more of a force in pass coverage and I don't know if he can really change that to become a complete player because he's pretty light. He might be able to add some weight, but that could rob him of some of his speed.

Still, he is an intriguing pick and his ceiling is pretty high due to athleticism.

Watch for him on special teams first and then keep an eye out for him as a rotational OLB.

And if Nick Perry doesn't pan out, I wouldn't be surprised if Manning gets himself a shot.

Round 7, Pick 34 (241—Compensatory Selection) Andrew Datko, T, Florida State

The sole offensive lineman and first offensive pick of the Packers' draft, Datko has long arms and a solid initial punch off the snap. While this was not a good tackle class, Datko is a guy who has the physical tools to play in the NFL and with some refinement, start.

The Packers' offensive line is a constant project, always adding new players and trying to improve. Datko has had some injury issues and can sometimes be overpowered but he's got raw skills which, once refined, could provide at least some depth on the line.

I would expect that, barring injury, you won't see much of him during the regular season, but down the road he will contend for a spot on the offensive line.

Round 7, Pick 36 (243—Compensatory Selection): B.J. Coleman,QB, Tenn-Chattanooga

Normally it's hard to get excited about a seventh round pick unless you know the guy, but the more I look at Coleman, the more I like the pick.

Coleman is actually a very good fit for this offense.He has a strong arm and can make all the throws scouts want a QB to make. He has pretty good accuracy and is a very smart player.

His footwork is a problem, though, and when it goes south, so does his accuracy. Often on shorter throws he doesn't throw the ball, but tries to 'direct' it, something I have seen Brady Quinn do a lot since he arrived in the league.

The difference is that Coleman doesn't over-think like Quinn—he just needs to relax a bit and let the throws happen. That may sound flaky but the more he tries to throw, the more issues he'll have.

It all comes down to footwork, though, and the sooner they can get Coleman into camp and working, the quicker he'll overcome his issues.

He'll be third behind Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell and shouldn't see the field very often if at all. The Packers always develop new quarterbacks, successfully I might add.

If you aren't going to start quickly, Green Bay is the place to be to improve your skills as a quarterback.