Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers Can Win NFL Draft in Late Rounds

Yes, the Green Bay Packers have holes at starting positions that the early rounds of the 2015 NFL draft will be essential to addressing. 

But what will really define the success of Green Bay's 2015 NFL draft are the selections that general manager Ted Thompson makes in the late rounds, and this year, the team looks primed to flourish there. 

The NFL announced 32 compensatory picks late Monday, and the Packers received two sixth-rounders (Nos. 210 and 213). That gives them nine overall selections, and three in Round 6 (with their own No. 206). 

Thompson has found success in the late rounds of the draft more often than not. The players highlighted in the table below either started multiple games for the Packers or were/are the top player at their position. 

Year	Round	Pick	Player
2005	6	180	Michael Montgomery, DE, Texas A&M
	6	195	Craig Bragg, WR, UCLA
	7	245	Kurt Campbell, LB, Albany
	7	246	William Whitticker, G, Michigan State
2006	6	183	Johnny Jolly, DT, Texas A&M
	6	185	Tyrone Culver, S, Fresno State
	7	253	Dave Tollefson, DE, Northwest Missouri State
2007	6	191	Korey Hall, FB, Boise State
	6	192	Desmond Bishop, LB, California
	6	193	Mason Crosby, K, Colorado
	7	228	DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida
	7	243	Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers
2008	7	209	Matt Flynn, QB, Louisiana State
	7	217	Brett Swain, WR, San Diego State
2009	6	182	Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia
	6	187	Brandon Underwood, CB, Cincinnati
	7	218	Brad Jones, LB, Colorado
2010	6	193	James Starks, RB, Buffalo
	7	230	C.J. Wilson, DE, East Carolina
2011	6	179	Caleb Schlauderaff, G, Utah
	6	186	D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian State
	6	197	Ricky Elmore, LB, Arizona
	7	218	Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
	7	233	Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State
2012	7	241	Andrew Datko, T, Florida State
	7	243	B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
2013	6	193	Nate Palmer, LB, Illinois State
	7	216	Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State
	7	224	Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland
	7	232	Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida
2014	6	197	Demetri Goodson, CB, Baylor
	7	236	Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State

The Packers have found multiple starters in Rounds 6 and 7, and some recent selections, such as Demetri Goodson and Jeff Janis, should have much larger roles in 2015. Goodson could become the primary dimeback if Casey Hayward moves to the outside and Micah Hyde becomes the nickelback.

Janis will compete with Jared Abbrederis to become Green Bay's No. 4 wideout, and both should receive snaps in various offensive plays. 

Looking at Round 6 specifically, the Packers have drafted key players at that spot over the years, including defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, linebacker Desmond Bishop, kicker Mason Crosby and running back James Starks. 

In fact, all those players had a role in Green Bay reaching Super Bowl XLV, save for Jolly, who was suspended. Starks came on in the playoffs, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards by a rookie in a playoff game (123) and had a key touchdown in the second quarter in the NFC Championship Game against the Chicago Bears.

Bishop led the team in tackles, with 26, and had a critical 32-yard interception returned for a touchdown in Green Bay's Week 7 28-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. And Crosby set a new franchise record with a 56-yard field goal in Week 1. 

Green Bay has had three Round 6 selections twice before under Thompson. On five other occasions, it's packaged a sixth-round pick into a trade. Though the compensatory draft picks, Nos. 210 and 213, are not able to be traded, the Packers could still look to package their selection at No. 206 into a trade and still have two in Round 6. 

Thompson has found stars in the late rounds before, and there are plenty of players with potential in this draft class. The following late-round selections could be excellent additions to Green Bay's roster. 

Ellis McCarthy, NT, UCLA

Even if the Packers re-sign B.J. Raji and/or Letroy Guion to start at nose tackle in 2015, it will likely only be for a short-term deal. It's an ideal year to draft a developmental player at the position, and Ellis McCarthy could prove to be an excellent value at No. 213. 

McCarthy has the ideal size for a 3-4 nose tackle, at 6'5" and 338 pounds. He did struggle with weight at UCLA, as well as injuries, both of which contribute to his Round 6 projection. 

But he also showed flashes of excellence at the position, despite only starting eight games for the Bruins. He "possesses the core strength to anchor against double-teams and has long, strong arms to latch on and drag ballcarriers to the ground," per Rob Rang of CBSSports.com. 

As a sophomore, when he started his eight games, McCarthy had 31 tackles, including four for loss, and two sacks, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. As a backup nose tackle and defensive end last season, he had 21 tackles and three sacks. 

The former 5-star recruit didn't develop into the player he was touted to be at UCLA, but with more rigorous conditioning in an environment like Green Bay, he could turn into something special, at great value to boot. 

Craig Mager, CB, Texas State

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Packers are precariously thin at cornerback, so expect them to take a down-the-line starter in the early-to-mid rounds, as well as someone in the later rounds for depth. That player could be Texas State's Craig Mager. 

Green Bay may draft a player to compete with Hayward for the starting role outside opposite Sam Shields. But if Hayward does win the job, as mentioned previously, Hyde will most likely become the primary slot corner, which would leave Goodson to play in the dime. 

But if Hayward, Hyde or Goodson suffers an injury, defensive coordinator Dom Capers becomes crippled in his ability to scheme with the secondary. Sub-packages become less effective, and blitz packages become vanilla. 

Mager could provide a sense of insurance on the bench at cornerback. He could also be a big special teams contributor, now that Jarrett Bush is a free agent. Mager "plays with excellent fire and motor throughout the game" and "loves to hit," per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. 

He was also a top performer at the combine in the 40-yard dash (4.44 seconds) and broad jump (130.0 inches). The physicality is there for Mager, if he can sharpen the fundamentals. 

Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina

Thompson has never passed up an offensive lineman in any of his drafts with Green Bay, and though the line in 2015 could be the best of his tenure, depth is always essential. 

Behind the starting five, the Packers have veteran backup Don Barclay and J.C. Tretter. They won't need to address the position in the early- or mid rounds, but Round 6 could be an opportunity to find value. 

Corey Robinson has incredible size, at 6'7" and 324 pounds, yet he is "surprisingly coordinated," per CBSSports.com draft analysts. His arm length is an unbelievable 35 5/8," and he puts it to good use. 

Per Zierlein, Robinson "uses length to redirect pass rushers beyond quarterback when beaten by speed." To stay at tackle in the NFL, he might have to trim down to increase his foot quickness, notes Zierlein, but he could also move inside to guard. 

That move could benefit Green Bay, as Barclay is a solid backup tackle. Robinson emerged as the starting left tackle for the Gamecocks but would likely play on the right side at the pro level due to that lack of foot speed. 

Still, "Robinson could provide a club impressive value," per CBSSports.com. 

These are just a handful of players the Packers could consider with their three sixth-round picks. But for those who wring their hands that Thompson passes on signing veteran free agents to keep mid- to late-round compensatory picks in play, just take a look at some of the players he's found over the years. 

With a scouting department and coaching staff as effective as Green Bay's, the late rounds of the draft can still be difference-makers for the franchise.