Green Bay Packers Draft Picks 2012: Ted Thompson Smart to Focus on Defense

The Green Bay Packers had a clear mantra heading into the 2012 NFL Draft:

Defense, defense, defense.

And, by the looks of things so far, GM Ted Thompson hasn't lost sight of that objective one bit.

The Packers rode NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and a prolific offense to a 15-1 record, all the while overcoming the poor play of a defense that ranked dead last in total yardage allowed and ranked at or near the bottom of the league in a handful of other defensive categories.

It was hardly a surprise, then, that the Pack's bid for back-to-back Super Bowl titles fell short when the offense went flat against the New York Giants and the defense could do little to make up for it.

That tune should change considerably going forward, assuming Thompson's first three picks pan out.

To upgrade a pass rush that ranked dead last in the league last year in sack rate, the Packers spent their first pick (No. 28 overall) on defensive end Nick Perry. The USC product is still a bit raw, but has all the tools to be a ferocious force against quarterbacks while playing opposite fellow Trojan Clay Matthews.

To shore up the middle of a defense that ranked 30th against the run, Green Bay spent its second pick (51st overall) on defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. The Michigan State alum has the size (6'2, 310 pounds), strength and skills to be a solid run-stuffer for the Pack, which the team desperately lacked after losing Cullen Jenkins to free agency last summer.

And last, but certainly not least, the Packers finally began to address their creaky secondary with the addition of Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward. Green Bay had to trade up to get him, surrendering a third- and a fifth-rounder to the New England Patriots for the 62nd pick overall, but won't regret doing so one bit once he steps in to provide some depth and youth behind Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams.

The Packers will still need more young hands on deck if they're to get their defense back to where it was in 2010, but for now, it appears as though they're off to an excellent start, with seven selections yet to come this weekend.

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