Green Bay Packers: One Running Back the Packers Must Consider in Each Round

The 2012 NFL draft is just about two weeks away. It's any Packer fan's guess as to what the team will choose in any given round.

However, it seems pretty likely that the Green Bay Packers will choose a running back with one of their picks.

Which round it'll be in is something that not everyone agrees with.

Since the Packers could use a pick on any given player at any given time and in any given round, they'll have to consider each and every position in each and every round.

And since Green Bay will draft in every round this year, why not take a look at a running back they could select in every round?

First Round: Doug Martin, Boise State

Martin has all the qualities of the feature back the Packers have lacked for several years now, but comes at the costly price of a first-round pick.

The Boise State star can return kicks, pass protect, catch the ball and pound it effectively. There isn't one thing he does especially poorly.

He's well-built at 5'9", 223 pounds and is a natural runner. If the Packers' big board gets drained, Martin might be worth taking rather than reaching for another player.

Second Round: Lamar Miller, Miami (FL)

Miller is one of the draft's most explosive running backs, and his 4.4 40-yard dash time at the combine showed that.

He has big play ability and can score from pretty much anywhere on the field. Miller's athletic ability is great, and he had a good season for Miami this past year.

However, the former Miami star needs to learn how to pass protect. If Miller can't do that, he won't be able to stay on the field for all three downs.

Third Round: LaMichael James, Oregon

James is one of college football's most decorated players. Unfortunately for him, college success doesn't always translate to the pros.

James is a change-of-pace player, a quick, shifty type of back that Green Bay lacks.

His speed and ability as a receiver would allow him to make an instant impact on the Packers' run game.

Fourth Round: Robert Turbin, Utah State

The largely underrated Turbin is one of my favorite value picks in the entire 2012 NFL draft.

The productive Utah State back has productivity in rushing for over 1,500 yards this year, impressive size at 5'10", 220 pounds and speed with a 4.5 40-yard dash.

He has red flags on his knees, but could be a major steal. It would behoove the Packers to package in one of their many seventh-round picks and move up to grab him if they haven't already taken a running back.

Fifth Round: Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

He's not an overly fast or powerful back, but the correct word to describe Ballard would be solid.

Ballard is a tough player though, who can contribute on special teams and can pass protect. He's a willing player who'll do what it takes to get on the field.

He's not a great player, but a good one who can contribute in many ways and serve as depth.

Sixth Round: Adonis Thomas, Toledo

Playing for small school Toledo won't get you much NFL recognition. It's unfortunate because Thomas has earned it.

The biggest problem with Thomas is his small stature, as he comes in at an underwhelming 5'10", 185 pounds. He needs to add muscle.

He's an explosive back that goes largely unrecognized due to his small school college. However, the former Toledo back carried his team on multiple occasions. 

Thomas is a good receiver and ran as low as 4.41 on Toledo's Pro Day, but might have to spend his first year in the NFL on the practice squad adding bulk.

Seventh Round: Bryce Brown, Kansas State

With four seventh-round picks, the Packers could surely afford to use one on an extremely talented, yet unproductive player.

That player would be running back Bryce Brown.

Brown, a 5-star recruit out of high school in 2009, has the physical tools. He reportedly has 4.3 speed and comes in at 6'0", 220 pounds.

He comes with many red flags, but his raw talent make him worth a look here in the seventh.