A Closer Look at Green Bay Packers' Second Day of NFL Draft

While the Green Bay Packers might have had a tremendous day one of the 2009 NFL Draft, general manager Ted Thompson and the rest of the Packers front office was back at work Sunday for day two of the draft process. Let's take a closer look at who was selected by the Packers in rounds three through seven.

Fourth Round (No. 109 overall): T.J. Lang, Offensive Tackle, Eastern Michigan

Lang is definitely an unknown to most, but with 36 straight starts at Eastern Michigan, he is an experienced offensive tackle that the Packers need to help shore up a thin position in Green Bay.

In addition to his excellent durability, Lang has the versatility to play every offensive line position and was a second team All-MAC performer in 2008.

Scouts, Inc. rates him as a polished run blocker with above average upper body strength and no character issues.

Grade: B

Lang is a great value in the fourth round, and the pick addresses another one of the Packers glaring needs. While he might take a season or two to become a full time player in the NFL, he should get time behind either Chad Clifton or Mark Tauscher (if retained, which looks more unlikely) to learn and address the weaknesses in his game.

Fifth Round (145): Quinn Johnson, Fullback, LSU

Johnson is most likely another unknown to most, including me. Scouts, Inc. had Johnson as the third best fullback in the draft, and he possesses good size and strength for the position.

However, there appears to be some flaws that make him a reach at this point in the draft. First off, he appears to lack any sort of receiving skills, and while the fullback has not been used much out of the backfield in the Mike McCarthy era, it's a trait that any starting caliber fullback should possess.

Second, he only carried the ball 16 times in 15 career starts in college, so pure production is lacking as well.

Grade: C-

In my opinion, this was too high to select a fullback which wasn't a position of need. We all know that Thompson likes to have two fullbacks on the roster, but I just don't see the value here in the fifth round. Someone like Michael Hamlin or Victor Harris would have had more value to me with this pick.

Fifth Round (162): Jamon Meredith, Offensive Tackle, South Carolina

Thompson followed up a sub-par pick with an absolute steal with the 162nd pick. Meredith was the 8th rated offensive tackle in this year's class, so the Packers again helped out their aging tackle position with a potentially dominant prospect.

Where should I start with the positives? 36 starts in the nation's top conference, never missed a game in four years, can play multiple offensive line positions ... should I keep going?

And how about this kid's character? His resume includes a 3.7 GPA with a degree in Sports Management and numerous awards for his efforts in the classroom.

Grade: A

Meredith needs to improve his run blocking, but at the 162nd pick, he is a great value. In my opinion, he could challenge for a starting tackle position next season, and has the potential to be a very good right or left tackle for many years. Everything I've heard about this kid has been fantastic—excellent fifth-round selection.

Sixth Round (182): Jarius Wynn, Defensive End, Georgia

Let's hope Thompson knows something we don't, because not even Scouts, Inc. has any information on Wynn or his pro potential. Here's what we do know: he's 6'2", 275 pounds, and he plays defensive end.

Wynn recorded two sacks in his final collegiate game against Michigan State, but is he a defensive end in our 3-4, or is he stand up outside linebacker?

Grade: C

Don't have a lot of information on him so I'm not going to judge the pick too harshly. If he can put on weight and become a defensive end in the 3-4, he's a body at a position of need. Sounds like there is some pass rushing skills, so he's got a shot to make the team at defensive end.

Sixth Round (187): Brandon Underwood, Cornerback, Cincinnatti

Underwood definitely has some talent — he originally went to Ohio State and was a first team All-Big East performer last season. Plus, at 6'1", 200 pounds, he has the prototypical size of a cornerback.

However, Scouts, Inc. has some worry-some evaluations. The words "gambles too much",  "marginal closing burst", "lacks recovery speed", and "inconsistent open field tackler" are not the type of statements you want to hear about the corner your GM just drafted. Project corner at best in my mind.

Grade: D+

I think Underwood will struggle to make the team. Green Bay already has Al Harris, Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Jarrett Bush, and Will Blackmon on the roster, so he's a long shot.

Doesn't sound like an efficient special teamer either, as his tackling and speed were in question. Some thought corner was a spot we needed to upgrade, but this isn't it in my mind—probably should have used an earlier pick if they really wanted to improve here.

Seventh Round (218): Brad Jones, Outside Linebacker, Colorado

Jones played in 50 games at Colorado, starting 36, so experience won't be an issue. He also recorded seven sacks in his senior season from the linebacker position, which signals he could be a factor as an outside rusher in the Packers' 3-4.

From what I've read he sounds like a great character guy, posting a 3.1 GPA with a degree in economics.

Grade: C+

He lacks the size (6'2", 230) that is usually necessary for an outside linebacker spot in the 3-4, but you have to like his potential for rushing the passer. In my opinion, has the best chance of the last three picks to make the team, as he can contribute as a solid special teamer.

It was a decent day for the Packers, but nothing too exciting. Meredith could be a big time player, and Lang has a chance to be a very good player, but the others look like reaches. Overall, Thompson picked players in need positions, and mixed with Green Bay's first day selections, Packers' fans have to be happy with how the 2009 NFL Draft shook out.