NFL Draft Grades 2011: Green Bay Packers Final Draft Grades
Well, the draft is finally over.ย
It was an intense three days filled with speculation and surprises, but now the season must go on.
The Green Bay Packers came into the draft looking to fill a few holes in an already impressive roster.ย They knew they wouldn't be getting the top talent in the draft, but no one doubted Ted Thompson's ability to find quality players with whatever pick he had.ย Thompson truly is one of the best in the business.
The Packers made a bunch of trades in the later rounds of the draft.ย However, we won't be grading that aspect of the draft, just the players that the Packers drafted.
Here is a look at the Green Bay Packers final 2011 NFL Draft grades for the players they picked.
First Round (32nd Pick): Derek Sherrod, OT
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At first I wasn't a big fan of this pick.ย I thought there were bigger needs that could have been filled with the 32nd pick.
Upon further review, the pick is beginning to grow on me.
Derek Sherrod was one of the best tackles in the draft this year.ย He is big and is great in pass protection and run blocking.ย He isn't the most athletic tackle in the draft, but he is a smart player who gets the job done.ย He will only get better with proper coaching.
With the Packers recent injuries across the line, having a player like Sherrod in the wings could be the key to another Super Bowl run.ย Chad Clifton is agin, and Sherrod will be able to step in and fill holes from the beginning of the season.ย Worst case scenario with Sherrod is that Clifton plays another fewย years and Sherrod perfects his trade.
Final Draft Grade: B
Second Round (32nd Pick): Randall Cobb, WR
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This was a great pick by the Green Bay Packers.
First, Cobb is an excellent receiver.ย With the jury still out on Donald Driverย and James Jones, the Packers needed to address wide receiver.ย Cobb is a quick receiver with good hands that can line-up in a number of positions for the Packers.ย He will be a great threat instantly for the Packers running routes across the middle.
Second, Cobb is probably the best return man in the draft.ย This is an area that the Packers have been less-than-stellar at for years.ย Cobb is an electrifying kick returner who can make huge plays.ย The Packers haven't had a player like Cobb returning kicks since Desmond Howard.
Final Draft Grade: A
Third Round (32nd Pick): Alexander Green, RB
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I was a little surprised by this pick.
I'm not saying that Alexander Green isn't a good running back.ย I just felt like there were better options at running back available to the Packers.
Green displays a good combination of speed, agility and size.ย He benefited from playing in a spread offense, which opened up seams for him.ย However, he is also one of the better receiving backs in the draft.ย The Packers aren't sure what the future holds for Grant, Starks and Jackson, so taking a running back was a good decision.
With that said, taking Green with his high of a pick seems to be a reach.ย When you consider that Dion Lewis, Kendall Hunter and Jacquizz Rodgers were still available, it doesn't make much sense.
Final Draft Grade: C
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Fourth Round (Compensatory): Davon House, CB
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The Packers traded their first selection in the fourth round to the Denver Broncos.ย They then used their compensatory pick to draft Davon House from New Mexico State.
House has decent size for a cornerback.ย He has the ability to play on special teams right now and could develop into a quality starter in a few years.ย He doesn't have great hands or speed, but he is a four-year starter with plenty of experience.
The Packers already boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Nick Collins.ย Woodson is entering his final years as a cornerback and could eventually transition into more of a safety position.ย That leaves an opening for House to learn from one of the best ever and take time to learn the game.ย House could be ready in a few years to step in as a solid nickel cornerback.
Final Draft Grade: B
Fifth Round (10th Pick): D.J. Williams, TE
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This is another interesting pick from Ted Thompson.
The Packers already have a phenomenal tight end in Jermichael Finley.ย If Finley can stay healthy, he has the ability to have a huge season.ย When Finley was injured, Andrew Quarless and Tom Crabtree filled in nicely.ย Where does Williams fit in?
D.J. Williams is a good overall player.ย He has a great work ethic, solid hands and produced well in college.ย He lacks great size and isn't the best athlete.ย The only way this pick could be beneficial to the Packers would be due to injury or if Williams transitioned into a fullback.
Final Draft Grade: D
Sixth Round (14th) Pick: Caleb Schlauderaff, OG
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Ted Thompson continues to address his offense late in the draft.
Caleb Schlauderaff's abilities actually fit in well with what the Packers do with their offensive line.ย He is a dependable lineman who has experience.ย He has the potential to become a decent zone blocker.ย He lacks strength and the aggressiveness to be a factor right now.
Schlauderaff is the second offensive lineman taken by the Packers.ย The pick of an offensive linemanย isn't that surprising, but Schlauderaff would probably still have been available with a later pick.
Final Draft Grade: C
Sixth Round (21st Pick): D.J. Smith, OLB
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One of the Packers needs was finding another play maker on defense to team with Clay Matthews.
D.J. Smith probably won't be that player, but he has great intangibles and Ted Thompson likes that in a player.ย He has great instincts to go along with a solid all-around game.ย Smith had an extremely productive career at Appalachian State.ย What he lacks in natural ability, he makes up for with a great work ethic and an outstanding character.
I was extremely surprised when the Packers waited until the sixth round to draft an outside linebacker.ย I guess Thompson has faith in the players he already has at that position.ย Smith should be able to start out as a solid special teams player and could eventually be a serviceable back-up for the Packers.
Final Draft Grade: C
Sixth Round (22nd Pick): Ricky Elmore, DE
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The Packers go defense with back-to-back picks in the middle of the sixth round.
Ricky Elmore can get off the line quick and get after the quarterback.ย He put up some nice numbers while at Arizona.ย He is a durable player who has been projected by some to transition to outside linebacker.ย He doesn't have great instincts and sometimes takes plays off.ย He really doesn't project well as a left or right defensive end, but could be successful in the NFL if he puts in a good amount of work.
Defensive end was arguably the Packers biggest need during the draft.ย With Jeremy Beal and Greg Romeus still available, I'm not sure how the Packers settled on Elmore.ย This pick certainly fills a need on defense, but Elmore feels like the wrong player.
Final Draft Grade: C
Seventh Round (15th Pick): Ryan Taylor, TE
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I'm not sure what Ted Thompson was thinking with this pick.ย Another tight end?
Unless Ted Thompson is planning on using D.J. Williams as a tight end and hoping Ryan Taylor can be switched to fullback, this pick seems crazy.ย Ryan Taylor is a decent tight end who played a number of positions for North Carolina.ย He does have some athletic ability and decent hands, but for most of his career he was a back-up at North Carolina.
The Packers are already deep at tight end, and now Thompson adds a second tight end this draft.ย I don't' see how this pick makes any sense.
Final Draft Grade: F
Seventh Round (30th Pick): Lawrence Guy, DT
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I love this late round pick by Ted Thompson.
Lawrence Guy should make the move from defensive tackle to defensive end for the Packers.ย He has good size and is great against the run.ย He is a player that can put pressure on the quarterback and he will take up blockers.ย He has overcome learning disabilities, which caused some teams to pass on him, but he was a great student at Arizona State and should continue to progress.ย
This could be the steal of the draft for Thompson.ย Guy is a great talent who has overcome many difficult things in his life to be where he is now.ย He should be able to produce very quickly for the Packers on defense.
Final Draft Grade: A
Final Grade
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Final Overall Grade: B
This was a great draft for Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers.
They addressed the different needs they had throughout the draft.ย They improved their offensive line and added a dynamic player in Randall Cobb. Their defense also gained some depth with Davan House and Lawrence Guy.
There were a few picks that were head scratches (Ryan Taylor?), but overall, Thompson did a great job at improving his team.
The Packers are poised for another deep run in the playoffs.
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