2011 NFL Draft Results: How the First Round Panned Out for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers Get Derek Sherrod, Division Rivals All Add Major Pieces in First Round of 2011 NFL Draft
We waited forever to get to the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and now it's come and went.
How did it all shake out from a Packers' perspective?
The Minnesota Vikings got their quarterback, although it wasn't the one we thought.
The Detroit Lions added another talented defender to stalk quarterbacks.
The Chicago Bears finally gave their quarterback some help up front.
And the Green Bay Packers? They invested in protecting their future.
Here's my take on the four picks in the NFC North and how they impact the Packers moving forward.
Minnesota Vikings Take Christian Ponder at No. 12
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What it means
After a two-year run with Brett Favre, the Vikings finally have their quarterback of the future. Ponder has the experience to immediately start for Minnesota if they don't find a veteran on the trading block or free agency.
Good pick?
The Vikings definitely reached at No. 12 to take Ponder, but I've liked him as possibly the best quarterback in this draft class. And to be honest, that's more of a commentary on this class of quarterbacks than a stamp of approval for Ponder.
Either way, the Vikings desperately needed to address that position and they took a chance to do it.
Good for the Packers?
You'd have to think so. There were so many good players on the board that could have been impact players, but the Vikings decided to reach for a quarterback.
I think Ponder will be a serviceable quarterback in the NFL, but the Vikings passed on a lot of talent at pick No. 12.
Detroit Lions Take Nick Fairley at No. 13
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What it means
If they couldn't before, the Lions can now officially lay claim to the best defensive line in football. Fairley teams with Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams and Cliff Avril to give Detroit a potentially devastating defensive front.
Good pick?
Absolutely. If Fairley can keep his head on straight, he's a top-10 talent from this draft class. The Lions got great value at No. 13, even if cornerback Prince Amukamara was still on the board.
Good pick for the Packers?
This is bad news for Green Bay. The Lions defensive line whooped the Packers up front in both games in 2010, and Fairley will only add more problems. If Detroit can address the secondary later on in the draft, this will be a good defense in 2011 and a dangerous team overall.
Chicago Bears Take Gabe Carimi at No. 29
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What it means
The Bears were thankful that a top-five offensive tackle fell into their laps at No. 29. With how poorly their offensive line played last season, this was a no-brainer pick. Carimi should immediately be their starting right tackle.
Good pick?
Did the Bears have any other options? They needed to improve up front and Carimi gives them plenty of value that late in the draft. Jay Cutler is a happy man somewhere tonight.
Good for the Packers?
If it's a good pick for the Bears, it's bad for the Packers. Dom Capers's defense was able to get pressure on Cutler in all three matchups last season, but adding Carimi should help alleviate some of that. It's a pick the Bears wanted to make, and they got their man.
Green Bay Packers Take Derek Sherrod at No. 32
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What it means
The Packers invest in keeping their prized franchise quarterback upright. It could also mean that Bryan Bulaga goes to left guard for the time-being and Sherrod plays right tackle.
Good pick?
How can you argue against protecting your No. 1 asset? The Packers offensive line was a weaklink for stretches of last season and Chad Clifton is getting older. GM Ted Thompson had to of loved seeing a talented offensive tackle fall to him in back-to-back years.
Good for the Packers?
No one was quite sure if Bulaga was going to have an impact on the 2010 season after that draft, and he wound up being a key component of a Super Bowl run. Sherrod could do the same. Clifton has shaky knees, and the Packers line might look a lot different next season. There are people that wanted a pass rusher, but finding offensive tackles is a hard thing to do.
What It All Means
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The Packers didn't get a pass rusher in round one, but don't worry—there are still six more rounds of this draft.
I had a feeling the Packers were going to go either offensive or defensive line, and it's hard to argue with an offensive tackle. Protecting Aaron Rodgers is the No. 1 priority, and I applaud the Packers management for investing in their asset.
And for those who will say the Packers didn't go best player available—how do you know? Sherrod was universally ranked as a top-five offensive tackle. Da'Quan Bowers has knee issues, and I wasn't sure if the Packers were going to trade up to get Mark Ingram.
Overall, it's a solid pick for the Packers. You won't hear any arguments from me or Aaron Rodgers.
What Could Be on Deck?
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I promise this will be the last time I make this pitch, but Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb would be an excellent Day Two selection for the Packers.
They might have to trade up, and I could still see the Packers doing that with so much talent still to be had in the second round.
If I had to guess for rounds two and three, however, I'd say the Packers target a receiver and defensive lineman. No specific order, but that'd be a safe bet.
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