Green Bay Packers Mock Draft: Picking Every Round for Need Only

The 2012 NFL draft order is set and ready to go. We'll be taking a look at the possibilities for all four NFC North teams this week, trying to piece out what they could be aiming for the weekend of the 26th.

We kick things off here with the team most recently named Super Bowl champions: the Green Bay Packers.

For a team which has been in contention for several years, recently winning and very close to making it back to the "Big Game" the Packers are loaded with picks this year. Twelve, in fact.

Here's where they fall:

"

1st round, No. 28  overall
2nd round, No. 59 
3rd round, No. 90  
4th round, No. 123
4th round, No. 132 (compensatory pick)
4th round, No. 133 (compensatory pick)
5th round, No. 163
6th round, No. 197
7th round, No. 224 (from New York Jets)
7th round, No. 235
7th round, No. 241 (compensatory pick)
7th round, No. 243 (compensatory pick)

"

Almost unfair.

When it comes to the draft, people tend to focus on the early picks, especially first and second rounds. The meat to a draft though, often the difference between playoffs and disaster, is the middle rounds.

You don't often find Tom Brady there, but you get good, solid players there who don't cost much and give you depth of position. Just because a guy isn't a first- or second-round prospect does not mean he's no good.

The Packers, more than any franchise in the league, knows the value of roster depth. It's saved them many, many times.

Which makes three fourth-round picks pretty key.

I'd expect a trade in here somewhere with this many picks, though where will totally depend on the board and offers.

If everything stays at is, though, here is a look at how the Packers might use their treasure trove of picks.

This draft will be heavy on defense and offensive line. They also need a backup quarterback to start learning behind Graham Harrell (the current No. 2 barring a veteran signing).

I only expect a few offensive "skill" picks the weekend of the draft, but a lot of depth moves and positioning to reinforce the few weaknesses this team has.

1st Round, No. 28 - Andre Branch DE/OLB

Branch's versatility is attractive to many of the teams picking around this spot, but what will cause the Packers to pull the trigger here is the chance to have a strong presence across from Clay Matthews. Branch is a bit raw from a technique standpoint but has the explosiveness to be a force from the outside. He'll need some work but would eventually be a great addition to this offense.

I could see them going for Mark Barron here if the safety is available, but the pass rush is a more critical need.

2nd Round, No. 59 - Trumaine Johnson, CB

Johnson can cover in man or zone, with the frame to make life difficult for receivers one on one and the speed to get underneath when playing off. A solid tackler, Johnson is an asset in run support though he can struggle to get off blocks. He's had a some off-the-field issues, but is maturing and would likely come around under the tutelage of the players in Green Bay.

3rd Round, No. 90 - Brandon Brooks, OG

I've seen Brooks go higher than this and it wouldn't shock me as just about every team was at the Miami (OH) pro day, so he's got exposure. The Packers would love to get him though, despite not being desperate for guard help, as he has the versatility to play either guard spot as well as tackle.

Brooks is a huge player, incredibly strong (a bench rep of 36 at pro day), but also has explosiveness (shown in his 32-inch vertical jump).

4th Round, No. 123 - Mike Brewster, C

Brewster is a good center who has the athleticism to be the anchor in both run and pass plays, with the strength to win a battle against middle linebackers. He lacks elite quickness and is a bit raw, but would be an excellent addition, and should learn a lot from Jeff Saturday who is a short-term solution at center.

4th Round, No. 132 (Compensatory Pick) - Trevor Guyton, DE

Back to the defensive side of the ball, Guyton is strong off the line with a great bull rush and a nice spin move to clear blocks. He's a hard worker who doesn't let up, something Green Bay loves in a player.

He needs to use his hands better and get better at reading the offense. It might take a bit, but his athleticism is something to build around.

4th Round, No. 133 (Compensatory Pick) - SS Brandon Taylor

Taylor has boosted his stock a little since LSU's pro day, where he built on a strong combine with some very good position drills. He's got good hands and is willing to play tough and make receivers pay for catching the ball.

5th Round, No. 163 - Russell Wilson, QB

I'm not 100 percent sure if Wilson will be here or not. To be honest, he's another player who is all over the place in analysis and mocks.

I saw him in Mobile for the Senior Bowl and came away impressed with his upside, though he really needs to be more consistent. When he is focused and plays with a chip on his shoulder (as he was on the first day of practice), he throws a strong, aggressive ball and is not afraid to challenge defensive backs.

He can start thinking too much though and that degrades his game a lot. Still, his obvious intelligence, solid accuracy and outstanding mobility make him an interesting project for a team like the Packers who have a quarterback who Wilson reminds me a bit of in Aaron Rodgers.

6th Round, No. 197 - Jonathan Massaquoi, DE/OLB

Another player who could swing either to linebacker or defensive end, but either way can attack the edge. Massaquoi is extremely raw, but his strength and agility make for an intriguing player once he rounds off the rough edges. A bit of a tweener, the former Troy defender could be a very worthwhile project for Green Bay.

7th Round, No. 224 (from New York Jets) - Devier Posey, WR

While loaded at wide receiver, at this late portion of the draft, the Packers can take a chance on a player with little ill-effects if they miss. Posey missed part of the 2011 season when he was suspended along with several other Ohio State players for selling memorabilia for tattoos.

Posey is a reliable receiver who can go vertical effectively and is dangerous after the catch.

7th Round, No. 235 - Adrian Robinson, OLB

Robinson is a solid linebacker prospect who shows the ability to read a play correctly, but lacks the speed and technique to be a higher draft pick. A tremendous tackler and hard worker, his coaches loved having him around and spoke highly of his efforts in the film and weight rooms.

7th Round, No. 243 (Compensatory Pick) - Jack Crawford, DE

Crawford has the size and frame teams look for in a defensive end, but he lacks top-end strength and speed, as well as sometimes seeming a bit stiff. He's raw, but has improved every year he's played and could become a solid lineman with proper coaching.

7th Round, No. 241 (Compensatory Pick) - Donald Stephenson, OT

Stephenson is quick enough to fend off defenders, though tends to be inconsistent play to play with it. He has the arm length and strength to hold pass rushers off, but can bend too much at the waist and overextend himself.

He's got upside, as he is still working to improve his game and has gotten better each season and has only been starting for a year. If the Packers can get him to sharpen up and get a mean streak when he plays, Stephenson could be a real hidden gem.