NFL Mock 2011: Predicting All 7 Rounds for the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers completed an improbable run to the Super Bowl earlier this year. So that means that they have the last pick in each round unless they trade up or down.
The Packers are a team with great depth at most positions, but there are some needs that must be filled with free agency and whatever else the team decides to do.
The Packers have all of their picks in the 2011 Draft (as of now), so here is a possibility of how their draft may go.
1. Justin Houston OLB/DE, Georgia
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Justin Houston is a prospect who has been rising up the draft boards as of late.
With his phenomenal combine, it is possible he could be selected earlier than this, but his situation is a bit interesting.
Houston was being evaluated as a likely outside linebacker, but he bulked up before the combine but didn't show any signs of slowing down. Perhaps he is committed to the defensive end position, which would make him more likely to fall to the Packers with the depth at that position in the draft.
It doesn't matter to the Packers though, as they could use him at either position.
Other Possibilities:
Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
2. Marcus Cannon OL, TCU
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Marcus Cannon came into the season as one of, if not the top offensive lineman in the draft. He retains that status in a way and should be a second or third round draft pick.
The Packers could use an offensive lineman of the future and should select one in the first or second round. Cannon fits as he could play either guard or tackle in the NFL.
While Cannon didn't have as great a year as many would've liked him to have, he is big.
And as they say, you can't teach size.
Other Possibilities:
Rodney Hudson OL, Florida
Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
3. Ras-I Dowling CB, Virginia
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Poor Ras-I Dowling. Once a possible first round pick, he just keeps slipping down the boards.
The reason he falls down this far is due to injury concern. While he is a fantastic ball-hawking CB with size and speed, he just seems injury prone.
He missed most of last season due to injury. He was unable to participate in the Senior Bowl due to injury. His shot at redemption in the NFL Combine was cut short due injury. See a trend?
The Packers love to groom CBs and for the most part it works well with so-called less-talented players (see Tramon Williams, undrafted and Sam Shields, undrafted).
Other Possibilities:
Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State
Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
John Moffitt, OL, Wisconsin
Bruce Carter, LB, UNC
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4. Jordan Todman RB, UConn
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Regardless of who, it would seem that the Packers need an extra running back somewhere in this draft. I decided to choose a speed back, as James Starks and Ryan Grant are more of a mixture of speed and power.
Todman has home-run ability with his speed and explosiveness. He is under-sized at 5'9," but for a running back, size isn't always the most important thing.
The Packers could use an extra RB to pair with James Starks and Ryan Grant in case one of them fails.
Other Possibilities:
Da'Rel Scott RB, Maryland
Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
5. Cecil Shorts WR/KR, Mount Union
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This is a late-round pick with potential to turn into a steal. With Donald Driver aging and James Jones becoming a free agent, the Packers may suddenly find themselves with a shortage of Wide Receivers.
Cecil Shorts has had a great career against lower-level competition. He doesn't have fantastic size and could bulk up in order to grab more jump balls to help his productivity.
Shorts is a hard-worker who is a good route-runner and a solid WR overall. He could also add some much-needed explosiveness to the return team.
Other Possibilites:
Edmond Gates, WR, Abilene Christian
Buster Skrine, CB, Chatanooga
Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina
6. Brandon Fusco C, Slippery Rock
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Scott Wells is in his 30's and the Packers may want for a replacement sometime down the road.
Luckily for them, Brandon Fusco was the winner of the Gene Upshaw award for the top OL in Division II.
Fusco had good size and is a hard worker.
Fusco could adjust to the competition and work on his game while hopefully taking over in a couple of years, or at least serving as a quality backup.
Other Possibilities:
Cedric Thornton, DE, Southern Arkansas
7. Markus White DE, Florida State
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Despite putting up solid numbers and becoming a disruptive force on the defensive line for FSU, White just isn't feeling the love from many of the scouts.
White is undersized for a defensive end, and might have to transition to OLB like many if he can't bulk up.
He is a solid pass rusher, and if he can't stay at defensive end could move to linebacker. White would get minimal playing time if that would happen as he learns more about his new position.
Other Possibilities:
Eddie Jones, DE, Texas
Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin
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