NFL Draft 2011: Why Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers Need Another WR

I want to start by saying that I love Donald Driver. 

This isn't the type of love that you accidentally say too soon to someone, either.  To me, Donald Driver is the type of football player that every rookie should dream to be. 

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 draft and worked his way to becoming one of the better receivers in the game.  He doesn't think he is the greatest thing that ever happened to the game of football.  You will never see his name in the tabloids or on a VH1 reality show. 

He does exactly what he is supposed to do: catch the football.

Unfortunately, Donald Driver is 36 years old and is coming off his worst statistical season since the 2001-2002 season, where he caught only 13 balls for 167 yards.  He finished the 2010-2011 season with 51 receptions, 565 yards and four touchdowns. 

I really hate to say this, but it is time to find a replacement for Donald Driver.

Although James Jones and Jordy Nelson have both shown the ability to be good receivers in the NFL, I don't think either of those players are the answer to replace Driver. 

Jones has made it clear that he wants to be a full-time starting receiver in the NFL.  However, issues with dropped passes should make the Packers think twice before giving Jones the starting spot opposite Greg Jennings. 

Jordy Nelson is a reliable receiver with great speed, but he appears to be a few years away from being ready to hold down a starting position.  He might also be best utilized as a slot receiver, where he can use his speed against slower defensive players.

How are the Green Bay Packers going to replace Donald Driver this year? 

Well, either through free agency, trades or the draft.  We can forget about picking up an elite receiver through free agency, as the top receivers are likely to be re-signed.  Trading for an elite receiver is also a dead end and should simply be forgotten due to the CBA. 

That leaves the Packers with the NFL draft to find Driver's replacement.

A.J. Green and Julio Jones are the elite receiver prospects in this year's draft, but both those players are almost certainly going to be top-10 picks and unattainable by the Packers.  There is quite a drop-off in talent after Green and Jones, but there are some interesting players that could develop into quality starters for the Pack.

Three names that instantly jump out are Greg Little of UNC, Torrey Smith of Maryland and Jonathan Baldwin of Pittsburgh.  None of these players are first-round talent, but the Packers could easily trade out of the first round and pick one of these players with an early second-round pick.  All three of these players have the ideal size, speed and athleticism to be a starting receiver in the NFL.

It is true that Little, Smith and Baldwin are going to need some polishing to their skill set.  It is also true that Little and Baldwin have some maturity and character issues that need to be figured out.  However, all three of these players have the talent to be a quality starting receiver in the NFL.  They all can catch the ball and they all can make plays after the catch.

The truth is that Green Bay might be the perfect fit for either one of these players to develop their natural abilities.  The Packers are a well-coached team that keeps their players level-headed.  They have one of the best quarterbacks in the league that is willing to work with his players to get the most out of them.  They are the ideal team for a player with character issues to get life figured out.

Donald Driver certainly won't retire this season and he probably won't retire next season, but it is time to look for his replacement.  If his numbers drop at the same rate they did last year, Driver would be looking at 38 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns. 

With that type of production, you can see why the Green Bay Packers need another receiver, and they need one now.