Green Bay Packers Mock Draft: Grading NFL.com Expert Selections

With the NFL draft only days away, Packers fans have a bevy of mock drafts from which to draw guesses as to who Ted Thompson and Co. will select. While the determination of most mock drafters suggests Green Bay will select an outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews, names haven't been in short supply.

Since NFL.com began mocking the draft in February, only Wisconsin center Peter Konz and Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have been suggested as alternatives to a linebacker, and since Green Bay signed Jeff Saturday, those suggestions have fizzled.

Who will Green Bay select Thursday? We won't know until Thompson and his mad scientist scouting crew determine the best available player.

And if history is any indicator, it may not even be one of the following five players. If it is, however, the Packers defense will look much more intimidating to opposing quarterbacks.

Greg Cosell: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Date of Mock: April 23

Said Cosell: "Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has a bit of mad scientist in him. He likes defenders he can tinker with in the grand scheme. That leads Green Bay to Branch."

Before commenting on Cosell's selection for Green Bay, it ought to be noted his entire mock draft hinges on his decision to draft players based solely on game tape. This is why, if you check out his projections, you'll immediately notice he picked Robert Griffin III for Indianapolis, even though the Colts have since issued a statement confirming Andrew Luck will officially be selected Thursday.

That said, if Branch falls to Green Bay, the Packers would be wise to pick him. As Cosell notes, Branch was a versatile "rover" player at Clemson, moving around the defense to capitalize on his athleticism. In Green Bay's system, Branch would play outside linebacker opposite Clay Matthews, primarily as a pass-rusher. 

I question Branch's ability to backpedal and move laterally in coverage situations. He doesn't have as much experience in this area and is almost exclusively touted for his ability to reach the passer. Further, his run-stopping capabilities are questionable, something that may annoy fans already frustrated with the poor tackling of AJ Hawk in 2011.

Grade: B-

Bucky Brooks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Date of Mock: April 23

Said Brooks: "The Packers desperately need a legitimate threat opposite Clay Matthews to prevent opponents from sliding pass protection exclusively in the Pro Bowl selection's direction. Upshaw is not an elite athlete, but he is a high-motor rusher capable of wreaking havoc off the edges with his relentless approach."

It seems all NFL.com writers have the same idea: Green Bay will draft a pass-rushing outside linebacker. Not to suggest I disagree, but Ted Thompson has a history of drafting players the experts didn't project, one of the reasons Green Bay's quarterback is Aaron Rodgers.

Of course, Upshaw is better than most at reaching the quarterback. More importantly, as a true outside linebacker, he has significantly more experience in pass coverage scenarios and attacking the run from the second level than does a 'tweener prospect like the previously discussed Andre Branch and soon-to-be discussed Nick Perry.

This should not be taken lightly, as whoever Green Bay drafts will play opposite Clay Matthews, who sets the tone for Dom Caper's pass rush.

One could argue that Upshaw is a best-case scenario player, someone who could certainly be drafted earlier than is projected by Brooks. If he is available, the Packers could do much worse.

Grade: A-

3 Writers: Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State

Date(s) of Mocks: April 20, 16 and 13, respectively

Said Chad Reuter: "Green Bay passed on Brooks Reed late in the first round last April, but could have interest in a similar hustling outside pass-rush prospect to pair with Clay Matthews for the foreseeable future."

Said Steve Wyche: "McClellan's range, nose for the football and do-whatever-needs-to-be-done approach is what Green Bay loves."

Said Charley Casserly: "Clay Matthews needs a wing man in the worst way."

First, I would like to just point out that Charley Casserly continues to be one of the best reasons to watch NFL Network and read NFL.com. His succinct analysis (the quote above is the entirety) never fails to deliver a punch other contributors dance around.

Having said that, this pick doesn't impress me as much as Upshaw. No disrespect to McClellin, a solid tackler who can jam tight ends at the line, but I question his ability to reach the passer on a consistent basis. As one who watched Aaron Kampman defy critics during his tenure in Green Bay, I can appreciate McClellin's aggressive play and motor.

On paper, he's a solid complement to Matthews, but I'm not sold on his ability to force offenses to slide blocking schemes in his direction (and away from Matthews). If that's the case, Green Bay's pass rush will struggle a consecutive season.

Grade: B

Charles Davis: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Date of Mock: April 11

Said Davis: "A pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews is a must for Green Bay. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers will have a game plan for Mercilus that is similar to San Francisco's last year for Aldon Smith."

Mercilus is a one-trick pony with a knack for reaching the quarterback. He isn't a great tackler and struggled at times to react to the run, positioning himself to be another pass-rusher opposite Clay Matthews. That could be effective, unless opponents test his mettle against the pass or run weak side, in which case I'm concerned as to whether he can adapt.

All considered, this pick is a reach unless the other suggested picks in these mocks have already been taken. 

Grade: C-

Albert Breer: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Date of Mock: April 9

Said Breer: "Clay Matthews will stand up and applaud a pick designed to make offenses pay for over-committing to his side."

Perry has been a popular mock draft pick for the Packers this offseason for good reason: he's a great pass-rusher who wraps up well. His lateral quickness is solid, suggesting he would transition to outside backer in Dom Capers' system, and Perry opposite fellow USC alum Clay Matthews could wreak havoc on opposing offensive sets.

But Perry's coverage skills have yet to be seriously tested and scrutinized. While there is no doubt he can reach the passer on blitzes, he'll be dropping into coverage a fair share of plays. If he can't handle jamming a tight end on the line or chasing a quick running back in the flats, Green Bay could be nickel-and-dimed more often than Capers cares to see.

Grade: A-