Expectations for Every Green Bay Packers Rookie Heading into 2011

In this edition of offseason talk, we are going to be taking a look at the Green Bay Packers rookies for the 2011 season.

I’m not sure how you feel, but personally I feel that the 2011 NFL draft was one of the best the Pack has had for a long time, and that is saying a lot considering the amount of Super Bowl starters that Green Bay has drafted.

Ted Thompson and Co. have an incredible knack at finding talent through the draft, and I’m very excited to see what some of these rookies have up their sleeves for us in 2011.

Derek Sherrod: OT

I’m not sure Sherrod is ready to come in and start, and to be honest I’d prefer him not to.

Sherrod will do well taking a back seat this year and learning from the vets, and eventually I can see him stepping in and being a huge factor on the Packers offensive line of the future.

Is he a guy we will see in relief packages and definitely in the case of injury?

Count on that much at the very least out of Sherrod in his rookie season.

Randall Cobb: WR

This guy can catch, run, return and even throw the ball.

I was fully expecting Cobb to be a first-round pick, so in my opinion, the Packers got an absolute steal drafting him in the second.

He's going to contribute instantly to the return game, and I expect him to play a role in the offense right away.

Depending on how the Packers handle James Jones in free agency, and how much they trust a guy like Brett Swain, I think Cobb might get more playing time than what many people are expecting.

I expect at least two offensive touchdowns out of him and one in the return game in 2011. Let's throw a touchdown pass in the mix as well; I think the Packers have that little wrinkle in their playbook!

Alex Green: RB

Green is going to suffer because of the simple fact that the Packers have a plethora of backs that they could go to.

That being said, I think he has the skill-set to eventually work his way into a third down scat-back role, but for this year, he will be best-suited learning behind some of the veterans and getting time in on special teams.

Davon House: CB

I don't expect much from House in his first season, and quite frankly I think he's going to get buried in the depth chart.

The Packers have far too many talented players in the defensive backfield at the moment, but hey, who are we kidding? This is a great problem to have.

House will learn a lot watching these guys play, and can hopefully make an impact on special teams.

We could see him emerge as the new generation of corner for the Packers once Woodson hangs 'em up.

D.J. Williams: TE

I think eventually D.J. Williams could be looked back on as one of the biggest steals in NFL draft history.

I know that is bold, but I'm going to stick by it.

He was an exceptional tight end in college, and I think his skills and size are going to play perfectly into the Packers system.

He's big and can block, but he's also got a nice pair of mitts and surprising speed.

No disrespect to Andrew Quarless or Tom Crabtree, but I think Williams is going to rise up the depth charts very fast in this organization.

A tight end duo of Jermichael Finley and Williams could be absolutely deadly in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense.

Caleb Schlauderaff: OG

Typical Packers sixth-round pick.

Schlauderaff is a guy who shows some potential at the guard position, and if groomed correctly, I think he can start the line of the future with Sherrod.

Give him a few years to develop, but right now, I'm not going to lie to you and pretend like I'm expecting anything.

D.J. Smith: OLB

This guy fits the Packers system well, but right now is just not his time.

Hope he gets some reps on special teams, because he is extremely athletic.

I'd let him sit behind Clay Matthews and friends for a year or two and learn the ropes of the defense, and this his physical abilities could really be displayed.

In time I'm looking for good things out of Smith.

Ricky Elmore: LB

Are the Packers trying to make Clay Matthews clones?

Besides stating the obvious that it would be a brilliant strategy, I must say that I do like what I see from Elmore.

He does have that Matthews-like feel to him.

I think he has the potential to look really good standing up in the 3-4, but just give him a couple years.

Ryan Taylor: TE

Taylor is a guy who will only make the roster because he can do many things, and that is if he does make the cut.

Green Bay has way too much going on at tight end right now, so Taylor has an advantage because he can play in the backfield if need be.

I think he's headed for the practice squad or scout team at best.

Lawrence Guy: DT

Guy is too small to be a nose tackle and too big to play the outside gaps.

I don't see much working out for him in 2011.

Practice squad is most likely, but if the Packers have problems with their rotation, I wouldn't be surprised to see Guy come in for a play or two.

Conclusion

Once again, the Packers had an incredible draft, and I think they did a great job of finding a few impact players for now and beyond, and a handful of players they can develop to move into roles in the future.

I expect big contributions from Randall Cobb and D.J Williams.

Guys like Green and Sherrod will need the season to find where they fit into the schemes.

Everybody else, typically great Thompson picks that fit the system and the mold he is looking for. I don't expect immediate contributions there, but Thompson's track record leads me to believe we could see a few starters budding from these picks in the future.

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