Green Bay Packers Day 3 2014 NFL Draft Primer

After two days and four selections, the third day of the 2014 NFL draft is finally here for the Green Bay Packers.

Slated to pick 121st, 161st, 176th, 197th and 236th, the Packers should have a busy day. Surprisingly, the team didn't make any draft day trades, but that is expected to change on Day 3. The Packers did make some moves, though not trades, on the first two days, adding safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, receiver Davante Adams, defensive lineman Khyri Thornton and tight end Richard Rodgers.

With two at least semi-surprising picks already, Ted Thompson leads the Packers into the unpredictable back end of the draft. To assist in making sense of it, we break down what has happened and what might happen for you.

Day 2 Recap and Analysis

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After the Packers addressed the safety position on Day 1, they made three selections on Day 2 and did not move any of their draft picks either up or down.

Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State

Davante Adams will be a great fit under Mike McCarthy when he learns the route tree. Noted for his fade routes at Fresno State and vertical speed, Adams can come in day one and compete with Jarrett Boykin for the third receiver role in place of James Jones, who left for the Oakland Raiders this offseason. With the team's top three receivers slated to hit free agency, Thompson went best player available and filled a potential need at the same time.

Khyri Thornton, DL, Southern Mississippi

A draft cycle riser, Thornton made an impression at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the combine. While he is likely a low-rep rotational player in 2014, he could become a starting defensive end in a season or two. With the amount of undersized bodies on the roster, the team could be looking at Thornton to be the pass-rushing base defensive end it's been looking for since Cullen Jenkins left the Packers after winning the Super Bowl.

Richard Rodgers, TE, California

Richard Rogers is one of Thompson's most interesting picks in recent memory. While some of Thompson's best picks seem like reaches, this one actually feels like an all-around reach to ensure the need at tight end gets addressed. With Jermichael Finley gone in 2014, the team needs a starting tight end. No one is sure that Rodgers will contend for the starting job, but with a pick this high invested into him, it's expected by the fans.

Updated Needs for the Green Bay Packers

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Inside Linebacker

Brad Jones has yet to live up to his contract at this point, and with plenty of inside linebackers still on the board, it would be smart for Green Bay to at least entertain the idea of taking one to push Jones. A.J. Hawk isn't getting younger, either, and he will need to be replaced in the next three or so years. With that in mind, the Packers could take a developmental athlete to sit behind the pair in 2014 and play special teams, then take over a spot as early as 2015. Not bad for a Day 3 pick.

Cornerback

Tramon Williams and Davon House are in contract years, meaning that two of the Packers' top three boundary cornerbacks could hit the open market. But Green Bay is in the perfect spot to develop an athlete for a future role. A player like Pierre Desir would fit in a couple of ways with that mentality. Thompson does love length at cornerback too.

Outside Linebacker

With the question about Julius Peppers and Mike Neal playing with their hands in the dirt or not, the Packers could potentially be looking at another pass-rusher to add to the linebacker rotation. With Nick Perry and Clay Matthews as the two productive bodies from the weak side, the team needs a heavier linebacker who plays the run better on the strong side. He could potentially be the starter, freeing up Perry to get up to a 30 percent split at both left and right outside linebacker, keeping the rotation of rushers fresh.

Wide Receiver

While Green Bay did go receiver in the second round, the Packers need more than just that. Over three seasons, the Packers have lost Greg Jennings, James Jones and Donald Driver. Next season, they could lose their current top three receivers in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Boykin. With Adams potentially the best receiver on the 2015 roster and no locks to make the 2014 roster after him, the Packers seriously need to consider who they would like as their fifth receiver.

Tight End

Again, as with receiver, the position was addressed early, but that doesn't mean the question was answered. Going into camp with either Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers or Brandon Bostick as the starting tight end isn't ideal. While adding a mid- to late-round pick won't save the position corp by itself, but the more quality bodies a team has in camp, the higher chance it has of hitting at a position.

Top Day 3 Targets

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Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU

A strong-armed late bloomer, Mettenberger could be a quarterback McCarthy could exchange for high picks if he develops him correctly.

Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama

An unheralded part of a high-profile offense, Kevin Norwood would be a great option as a fifth receiver in Green Bay.

Shaq Evans, WR, UCLA

Like Norwood, Evans was in the shadows of his quarterback. The sleeper was Brett Hundley's top target at UCLA and could easily make an impact if given the opportunity.

A.C. Leonard, TE, Tennessee State

A talented tight end transfer from the University of Florida, Leonard may even be a better selection in the fourth than Richard Rodgers in the third.

Wesley Johnson, OL, Vanderbilt

A flexible offensive lineman, Johnson would give the Packers the ability to keep him in a backup role for all five offensive line positions.

Chris Smith, OLB, Arkansas

An impressive athlete and Senior Bowl standout, Chris Smith could be a pass-rusher who needs a home, but he could thrive in Green Bay's rotation.

Jackson Jeffcoat, ILB/OLB, Texas

Somewhere between Derrick Johnson and Brad Jones, Jeffcoat could make an impact in a pass-rushing rotation or as a future starting inside linebacker.

Kevin Pierre-Louis, ILB, Boston College

A freak athlete, Kevin Pierre-Louis may not be four rounds worse than, say, a Ryan Shazier in the same mold, but he's currently slated to fall in that range.

Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood

The top player on many boards, Green Bay could look at the lengthy D2 defensive back for its future at starting cornerback.

Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida

While two other Florida cornerbacks got the most shine, Jaylen Watkins may be the best of the bunch. If Watkins lasts until Green Bay's next pick, the team could find value in the corner.

What Are the Experts Saying?

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While there aren't any Day 3 mocks, we can use Matt Miller's final mock as a guide to Day 3, as the Packers haven't moved in the draft up to this point:

"

4 121 Green Bay Packers — Yawin Smallwood ILB UConn

5 161 Green Bay Packers — Justin Ellis NT La. Tech

5* 176 Green Bay Packers — Bene Benwikere CB San Jose State

6 197 Green Bay Packers — David Fales QB San Jose State

7 236 Green Bay Packers — Tyler Starr OLB South Dakota

"

The Justin Ellis pick no longer makes sense because Green Bay added a similar body in the third round already. Outside of that, though, this looks like a pretty solid mock. Miller has Green Bay targeting a future starting inside linebacker and corner and two developmental players in Fales and Starr.

These positions are likely to be addressed on Day 3, and all of these picks are still on the board.

Green Bay Packers Predictions for Day 3

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The Packers will draft an offensive lineman in Round 4

It's been a running joke for Packers fans that Thompson makes it a point to draft offensive line in the fourth round. Last year, three of the starters on the offensive line were fourth-round picks, while two others were undrafted free agents. In 2013's fourth round, the Packers drafted David Bakhtiari and J.C Tretter, two players likely starting for the team in 2014. I see no reason why the 2014 draft should be the exception.

The Packers will trade up

While no Packers fan should complain about how the first two days shaped up overall, the fact that they haven't moved around yet is odd. Thompson usually puts himself in a position where he drafts the best player available at a position of need. Unfortunately, that compensatory third-rounder couldn't have been moved or maybe he wouldn't have "reached" for Rodgers.

The Packers will trade down

At some point, Thompson won't like how the board is shaking out. At that point, in a draft like this, it seems as though teams will be willing to move up or back in to whichever round he doesn't feel good about. Historically, Thompson has traded down much more than he's traded up.

The Packers will take a quarterback

With the idea that you can draft a Tom Savage or a Mettenberger in this class and trade him for some future picks if things go right, I think Thompson takes a quarterback and McCarthy gets a new toy.

Updated Green Bay Packers Mock Draft

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Round 4, Pick No. 121: Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB/ILB, Texas

A flex linebacker in the same mold as Brad Jones, Jeffcoat could be the steal of the draft. After peaking both early and late in his college career, the teams that have done their homework on the son of an NFL player would love to steal him early in Day 3.

Jeffcoat could push Jones for a starting spot as an inside linebacker or join Clay Matthews and Nick Perry in the pass-rushing linebacker rotation. 

Round 5, Pick No. 161: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin

The tall route-runner from Wisconsin would be a great fit for the Packers, who wouldn't have to look far for the prospect. The former quarterback figures to be an outside receiver, which would allow Randall Cobb to continue to thrive in the slot.

From day one, he'd push Jarrett Boykin for the outside job in three-wide receiver sets. At worst, he's a fourth receiver in his rookie season.

Round 5, Pick No. 176: Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming

An early declaration, Smith is the type of quarterback McCarthy would like to develop. As a passer, he makes good decisions, and as a runner, he'd be one of the best athletes at quarterback the day he gets drafted.

Likely a third quarterback in his first year in Green Bay, Smith is well worth a roster spot and could pass Matt Flynn for the spot behind Aaron Rodgers as soon as 2015.

Round 6, Pick No. 197: Wesley Johnson, OL, Vanderbilt

While playing under a former Packers receiving coach in college, Wesley Johnson played tackle, but he is likely not best suited for the position at the next level. Instead, he'll likely be a backup lineman his first couple of seasons, swinging both inside and outside.

Johnson is just fortunate enough to have a market in that with Green Bay, which likes to target James Franklin-coached players and swing offensive linemen.

Round 7, Pick No. 236: Nikita Whitlock, FB/ILB, Wake Forest

A college defensive tackle, Whitlock projects as a back, be it on offense or defense. Like Spencer Havner and Korey Hall in the past, the Packers could look at the flex linebacker, fullback and special teams contributor in the late rounds.

While he's not likely to be the starting fullback or inside linebacker in 2014, or even compete for those jobs, Whitlock's availability on special teams could be a factor for keeping him on the roster.