NFL Mock Draft 2011: Roster Breakdown for the Green Bay Packers This Offseason

The Green Bay Packers are one of the league's most complete teams. Though injuries would have you believe otherwise.

Running back Ryan Grant was lost for the year back in week one. Superstar tight end Jermichael Finley's season ended in an early season game at Washington. Even quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a pair of concussions this year, requiring him to miss a week 15 game at New England.

However, if history tells us anything, it's that the Packers have a track record of building their team through the draft. Green Bay's youthful defense is a direct product of that philosophy. Dom Capers' 3-4 defense has improved every season since it was implemented and this off-season the Packers will have an opportunity to make it even better.

The offense, centered around Aaron Rodgers and his talented receivers, could also experience an upgrade. Offensive line issues will be addressed most likely as well as a possible upgrade in the back field in hopes of taking some pressure off of Rodgers' invaluable arm.

Join B/R as we journey through the Packers' roster and break down where their needs are this off-season.

Quarterback

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers prepares to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

The Packers are as solid as it gets at quarterback. The only concern Green Bay might have is Rodger's recent concussions. The Packers' franchise hopes to see Rodgers under center for the next decade and multiple-concussion seasons likely don't build confidence.

Back up quarterback Matt Flynn certainly stepped in nicely in 2010 however. Flynn was forced to start a week 15 game on the road against the league-best New England Patriots after Rodgers' suffered a concussion in week 14.

Flynn's performance in such a hostile territory was eye-opening to many Packers fans. The Packers were leading the Patriots late in the fourth quarter before finally losing 31-27. Flynn's quarterback rating was 82.5 in 2010. Not bad for the second string.

Running Back

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during warmups prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Green Bay has relied heavily on their passing game this season. The early season loss of Ryan Grant to an ankle injury forced the Packers to change their offensive philosophy on the fly.

Brandon Jackson has yet to develop into the running back Green Bay hoped he would be but he played admirable as a replacement for Grant. Jackson was the Packers' leading rusher in 2010 (190 carries, 703 yards).

The scariest statistic of the Packers' 2010 season. Aaron Rodgers was tied with full back John Kuhn for the most rushing touchdowns (4). Green Bay had just 11 touchdowns on the ground the entire season. Ryan Grant is sure to be the starter next season so the Packers are rather deep in the backfield.

Wide Receiver

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in

The Packers boast one of the league's best receiving cores. Lead by Pro Bowl receiver Greg Jennings and veteran Donald Driver, Green Bay's wide outs compliment Rodgers' beautifully. James Jones and Jordy Nelson are also excellent pass catchers who make the Packers extremely deep at receiver and difficult to defend when they spread things out in the passing game.

Green Bay looks to set for the future at wide receiver with plenty of promising young talent, though some of those names will call somewhere else home next season.

Wrapping up the Packers' skill player sections, they look to be more than loaded with play-makers on offense. Moving on.

Tight End

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Packers have always utilized their tight ends, whether it's in the running or passing game. 2010 saw Green Bay's most talented offensive play-maker go out with a season-ending knee injury. Jermichael Finley caught 21 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown in four games this season.

Still though, veteran Donald Lee and rookie Andrew Quarless have kept the Packers solid at the position. Quarless runs routes like a wide receiver and had over 20 receptions in 2010.

Lee is superb in the red zone as one of Rodgers' favorite goal line target. Lee caught just 11 passes this season but three of them went for scores. Green Bay is solid at tight end with two young talents in Quarless and Finley.

Offensive Line

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Jason Spitz #72 and the Green Bay Packers offensive line await action on the bench against the Chicago Bears during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bear

Green Bay's offensive line could use some reinforcement this off-season. The line struggled to protect Rodgers for most of the 2009 season allowing far too many sacks. This season the theme has been the non-existing running game.

The Packers' O-line has a few aging faces like Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher at tackle. Both are 11-year veterans on the outside who have struggled at times to deal with quickness from opposing defensive ends.

Still the Packers are one of the league's best screen-play teams as they have been for some time. The return of Ryan Grant will likely improve the line's presence in 2011, but a few young players wouldn't hurt either.

Prospects:

• Nate Solder (Colorado)
• Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)
• Anthony Castonzo (Boston College)
• Tyron Smith (USC)
• Benjamin Ijalana (Villanova)
• Jason Pinkston (Pittsburgh)
• Chris Hairston (Clemson)

Defensive Line

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Ryan Pickett #79 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo

Green Bay's 3-4 defense is anchored by it's three down linemen. Those three guys are nose tackle B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, and defensive end Cullen Jenkins. All three are excellent players. The trio combined for 89 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 2010.

With a plethora of gifted linebackers playing behind them, the Packers' defensive line has flourished in the 3-4 and been a critical factor in Green Bay's defensive success. Though it wouldn't kill them to draft here, the chemistry and talent is no doubt championship-caliber.

Linebacker

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Linebacker Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-27. (Photo by Elsa

The Packers' linebacking core is no doubt lead by second-year outside rusher Clay Matthews. Matthews is joined by A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett on the inside (Barnett was lost for the season after a wrist injury suffered early in 2010).

Since the loss of Barnett, four-year player Desmond Bishop has filled in nicely, coming in second (103) behind Hawk (111) in total tackles. Linebackers Brad Jones and Brandon Chillar were lost to injuries as well this season. For Green Bay it's just musical linebackers. When someone goes out, another one gets plugged in and the defense doesn't miss a beat.

The Packers' front office is great at spotting defensive talent, so an outside linebacker or two could be one of their selections in April.

Prospects:

• Justin Houston (Georgia)
• Bruce Carter (North Carolina)
• Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma)
• Kelvin Sheppard (LSU)

Defensive Back

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

Fourth-year corner Tramon Williams joins veteran and future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson on the Packers' outside secondary. Williams lead the Packers with six interceptions in 2010. Woodson was one of Green Bay's leading tacklers despite playing in the secondary.

The Packers often use Woodson in their blitz packages given his knack for making big plays on the quarterback.

23 year-old Sam Shields has done well in coverage as well. Shields had two interceptions and 29 tackles this season as a rotation player. Shields is now a major player in the Packers' secondary and has a promising future in Green Bay.

Still, a little insurance couldn't hurt.

Prospects:

• Aaron Williams (Texas)
• Jimmy Smith (Colorado)
• Brandon Burton (Utah)

Safety

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Nick Collins #36 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates making a interception against the Chicago Bears to end their final drive in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew

The Packers were lead by safety tandem Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah for most of 2010. The duo teamed up for six interceptions this season and over 130 tackles.

Collins, a six-year veteran, has anchored the Packers' secondary the past few seasons in Green Bay. Collins struggles at times but came on strong to finish 2010 as he made three of his four interceptions in the season's last five weeks.

Peprah is a fifth-year player from Alabama who is taking the place of banged up safety Atari Bigby. Bigby has struggled all year long battling injuries and provides an experienced back up leader in the secondary for the Packers' defense.

Special Teams

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Packers' special teams was solid in 2010. Kicker Mason Crosby made 22 of 28 field goal attempts, including two from 50+ yards. 

Punter Tim Masthay averaged nearly 44 yards per punt. Masthay punted just 71 times in 2010. Not bad considering Green Bay's opponents averaged 78 punts in 2010.

Cornerback Tramon Williams averaged eight yards per punt return this season. It's Williams steady return ability that will help the Packers however, he doesn't need to be Devin Hester.

Overall

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brandon Underwood #28 of the Green Bay Packers and his teammates take the field before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadel

The Packers were projected by many to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLV this February, which is still a possibility as the Packers are in the process of what hopes to be a deep postseason run.

Win or lose, injuries have been the story of 2010. Several play-makers were lost early in the season and the Packers have done well to retool with their young draft picks and undrafted free agents.

April's draft will serve a purpose to every NFL team, but for the Green Bay Packers it offers the opportunity to build on one of the league's best defenses and rebuild an evolving offensive line.

Regardless of who they bring in, this team's future looks bright. An elite quarterback complimented by a dominant defense, that's a dynasty-equaling combination.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.