In the 2008 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers did not have too many needs to address. Here is my analysis on each of the Packers' nine picks over the weekend.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State (second round)
This was a bit of a head-scratcher for me, personally. Nelson was a very good college receiver, but doesn't have great elusiveness or speed.
He is a good kid, so he won't get into trouble, but I do not think that the Packers need another receiver with that deep receiving corps they have. Plus, I think that there were better receivers out there than Nelson.
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (second round)
A lot of people are high on Brohm, but I am not one of those people. Brohm put up some very impressive numbers, but every time I watched him, it seemed like his receivers were so wide open that he could not possibly miss.
I would not have taken a quarterback here, because I think that it would have caused Aaron Rodgers to look over his shoulder. And even if I wanted a quarterback, I would have taken Chad Henne out of Michigan.
Henne has a rocket arm and good poise, and plenty of collegiate experience (not that Brohm doesn't). I just think Henne would pan out better than Brohm in the pros.
Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn (second round)
I really liked this pick. I thought that the Packers would definitely take a corner like Brandon Flowers in the first round, but I think they got a pretty good corner in Lee.
Lee played in the physical SEC, and is not afraid of contact, which is the trademark of the Packers' defensive backfield. He should fit in nicely behind aging cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas (third round)
With the departure of Bubba Franks, the Packers needed another tight end to play opposite of the emerging Donald Lee. Finley is more of a receiving tight end than a blocker, just like Lee, so I'm not completely sold on this pick. However, the Packers did address a need by drafting Finley.
Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest (fourth round)
At 6'4" 264 lbs., Thompson is not much of a run-stopper, but with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila getting older, Thompson adds depth to the Packers' already deep defensive line. If Thompson pans out, it also gives the Packers flexibility to move Cullen Jenkins inside to defensive tackle.
Josh Sitton, OT-OG, Central Florida (fourth round)
I do not know much about Sitton, other than he is big and that he is expected to be moved to guard in the pros. Also, he helped pave the way for NCAA leading rusher Kevin Smith in college. Should definitely improve the Packers' depth up front
Breno Giacomini, OT, Louisville (fifth round)
With Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton getting up there in age, the Packers took a stab at a developmental prospect with a good mean streak and some good potential. However, character questions have been raised, and he is not as strong as they would like.
Matt Flynn, QB, LSU (seventh round)
Flynn was a proven winner in college, and he gives some good mobility at that position. However, he will probably remain a backup his entire career, and will most likely be third on the Packers' depth chart in 2008.
Brett Swain, WR, San Diego State (seventh round)
I'm not sold on this pick either. Swain has decent size and was a good playmaker in college, but he projects to be a No. 4 receiver at best in the pros. With Driver, Jennings, Jones, Martin, Robinson, and Jordy Nelson, there just isn't any room for Swain on the Packers' roster. This just seems like a wasted pick.
Overall, I do not think that the Packers hurt their chances of contending with this draft, because they did not need to draft any starters anyway. However, I do not think they helped themselves too much, either.
The Packers have been good at finding solid linemen in later rounds (i.e. Mark Tauscher), and may have turned up some good ones in this draft. Also, the addition of Patrick Lee provides much needed depth at corner. The rest of the picks however, I think are a little iffy.
My Grade: C+
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5 months ago
One of the pluses that I have seen about Jordy Nelson is that he is an excellent special teams player. With Charles Woodson getting up there in age, I can completely see how the Packers envision him being plugged into the kick/punt returner role, or even on kick/punt coverage. Also, the Packers' offense is designed so that the split end reciever runs deep on most pass plays. Nelson has the size and speed to force the defense to respect his pattern. This will allow Jennings or Driver to work out of the slot, which might seem like a demotion, but it actually plays into their skill sets of being agile and gaining yards after the catch.
On that same note, Jackson out of Cal would be able to do all the same.
I have a feeling the Packers traded out of the first round assuming that Brandon Flowers would have lasted to them.
from 5 months ago
I agree: they gambled and lost, and I don't know why they thought he would drop--he was the next best guy and everyone wants DB depth these days. They got a decent replacement, but they do not need Nelson and could have gotten extra picks or packaged them to move up next year, etc. I did not like this draft, and I have not liked Thompson's first pick either of the last two years.
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