Green Bay Packers Draft Preview: Who They Should Consider

With the 2009 NFL Draft approaching, the Packers have a supreme opportunity to settle some deficiencies, so long as the proper moves are made. Rather than go for the best players in the draft first, a move often made by Thompson, the Pack should concentrate on a couple of key areas if they want to create a more solid team.

Last year, the Pack had no trouble putting up points and gaining yardage, but closing games and defensive depth proved to be a soft spot for our boys. Green Bay must focus their priorities on filling these dead spots and positions that desperately need attention if they are to compete with stiffer competition in the division and conference this year.

With nine picks heading into the draft, and one in the top ten, the pool of talent will be prime for the reaping if Thompson can effectively grab the right guys before letting them slip away. By order, we’ll take a look at some names the Pack may want to, and perhaps will, consider this year.

The envelope please.

1. Aaron Maybin DE/PSU:

Coming into this year Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins will be the front running anchor boys in the new 3-4 scheme. The trouble is, Jolly is moving over to end and there is no guarantee the transition will be seamless or even productive. Maybin, even in a backup roll, could be a fine pick as a candidate for development, and at 6’3” 249 definitely has the size and athleticism to compete.

2. Hakeem Hicks WR/North Carolina:

Although the receiver position is not a screaming need right now, a sizable receiver is hard to pass up, especially if you’re Ted Thompson. Considering Mike Crabtree will be gobbled up by the Raiders, Hicks could be a possibility still available in a draft that, should favor DE’s and QB’s early on. Hicks has great size and speed and posted over 1200 yards and 12 TDs last year. If the Pack want to continue to add youth to the receivers, this guy could be a steal.

3. James Laurinaitis ILB/OSU:

The 3-4 scheme requires teams to have an over abundance of quality linebackers; something the Pack is without. There is no way of telling how “Kamp” will adapt to OLB and there is not a lot of faith Poppinga will provide the additional pass rush on the other side, so, the backup plan always falls on the blitzing schemes and Laurinaitis would be a great fit. At 6’1” 240, Laurinaitis has the OSU experience and speed to play the one gap 3-4 scheme and the ferocity to be a quality blitzing back.

4. There are actually two viable options here we will explore:

Michael Oher OT/Mississippi:

Anyone who watched this kid knows just how he is and how successful he is at getting to the QB and/or ball; a natural talent to say the least, but considering there is some demand for tackles out there, I don’t think Oher will be available by the time the Pack get around to picking. Still, he would make a great athletic pick for OT if he was still available.

Colin Brown OT/Missouri:

“….but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need!”

That about sums it up! There is a very good chance Brown could still be lingering around even in the fourth or fifth round and at 6’7” 341 he would be a monster pick up for the Packers. Brown has had some issues with technique but with that kind of size his smaller issues become secondary; this is the guy I would go with in the run happy Norris division.

5. Louis Delmas S/Western Michigan:

One of the interesting things about this year’s draft, is the amount of players flying under the radar; there are a ton of them, and Delmas is leading the way. Since his eye opening performance against Illinois on November 17th, Delmas has proven he is a prime candidate to be a sleeper pick and the Safety position is a position the Pack should to address. If Thompson lets this guy go to someone else, it would be a poor decision on his part; Delmas is an absolute must if still available.

6. Knowshon Moreno RB/Georgia:  

The consensus is the Packers will go with Chris “Beanie” Wells with their first pick; not a smart move with Moreno being out there. Although I believe the Pack should address defense first, if they do go with a RB, why not go with the only other guy to post back-to-back 1000 yard seasons in Georgia history since Herschel Walker—makes sense to me. If that’s not enough, Moreno is simply the better back. Hey, it worked for Minnesota, right?

7. Mike Turkovich OG/OT/ Notre Dame:  

Andy Kemp is the favored at the pick for a guard since he is homegrown talent but Turkovich is more versatile. He has the experience at both tackle and guard and considering how often a player can change in the NFL Turkovich would be a better fit. Turkovich is also a bit taller and trimmer at 6’5” 305.

8. Ryan Purvis TE/BC:  

Brandon Pettigrew is the only top 25 TE in the draft which should leave a plethora of talent available at the position. Purvis is a natural route runner and does a solid job of hand placement and holding his blocks. Instead of sliding off of pass rushers, he can lead a guy away and has enough size to accommodate the zone blocking scheme. His only criticism is his lack of speed and ability to break coverage off the line of scrimmage, but everything can be worked on in the NFL.

9. Chris Miller P/Ball State:  

Finding a kicker isn’t an exact science and with that comes no guarantees. Still, I like the leg on this guy as well as the consistency and if still available would make for a fine pick to play at the pro level.