NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers Team Draft Retrospective

This article is part of a series that looks at each NFL team’s recent draft history, with the hope of extracting information about the way they think and the players they value.

The analysis is limited to the past five drafts in the interest of relevance, and the first three rounds because that’s where most impact players are taken.

This entry will focus on the Green Bay Packers.

DRAFT HISTORY

In the past five years, the Packers have taken the following players in the early rounds. Their positions and the rounds in which they were drafted are listed next to their names.

2006:   A.J. Hawk, LB (1)

            Daryn Colledge, OT (2)

            Greg Jennings, WR (2)

            Abdul Hodge, LB (3)

            Jason Spitz, C (3)               

2007:   Justin Harrell, DT (1)

            Brandon Jackson, RB (2)

            James Jones, WR (3)

            Aaron Rouse, S (3)                           

2008:   Jordy Nelson, WR (2)

            Brian Brohm, QB (2)

            Patrick Lee, CB (2)

            Jermichael Finley, (3)

2009:   B.J. Raji, DT (1)

            Clay Matthews, LB (1)

2010:   Bryan Bulaga, OT (1)

            Mike Neal, DT (2)

            Morgan Burnett, S (3)

BREAKDOWN BY POSITION

Here is the number of players the Packers have drafted for each position:

Defensive tackle: 3

Linebacker: 3

Wide receiver: 3

Offensive tackle: 2

Safety: 2

Center: 1

Cornerback: 1

Quarterback: 1

Running back: 1

Tight end: 1

IMPACT

A.J. Hawk is a reliable inside linebacker. Greg Jennings is one of the top receivers in the league, and James Jones and Jordy Nelson are good backups. J

ermichael Finley has shown flashes that suggest he could be one of the best receiving tight ends in the game, but his production has been limited by injuries. B.J. Raji is one of the better nose tackles in the league.

Clay Matthews is a prolific edge rusher who looks to be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Bryan Bulaga is a solid starting tackle.

Most importantly, these players played their part in bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Green Bay.

TRENDS

The Packers have paid a lot of attention to their front seven, forming a very strong anchor for their defense. In particular, the 2009 draft gave them the two most important cogs of Dom Capers’ blitz-heavy 3-4 scheme.

That’s not to say the secondary has been neglected either, as they have taken three defensive backs over this span.

Interestingly, these players haven’t been particularly productive, but Green Bay has a very strong secondary anyway thanks to earlier drafts and free agency.

The Packers have hit on all three receiver picks and a receiving tight end, allowing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to build one of the most prolific passing games in the league. They’ve also taken a couple of offensive tackles to help protect him.

The biggest area of neglect is running back, and not coincidentally, the rushing attack is the club’s greatest weakness.

2011 OUTLOOK

As one might expect from a Super Bowl champion, the Packers have no real glaring holes to address. That gives them the freedom to take the greatest talent available.

One area that could use an infusion of talent is the receiving corps. While their current receivers are outstanding, Donald Driver is 36 and can’t be far from retirement, while James Jones will be free agent when the lockout ends.

The Packers would do well to take a proactive approach and find a legitimate starter now. Options include Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), Leonard Hankerson (Miami), Titus Young (Boise State), and Randall Cobb (Kentucky).

Defensive end could also be addressed, as Cullen Jenkins is an impending free agent and Johnny Jolly has had legal troubles. If Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) is available at the end of round one, it would be hard to pass him up. Drake Nevis (LSU) could also be a good round two option.

Outside linebacker is another possibility. Clay Matthews is phenomenal and Frank Zombo is adequate across from him, but if they could find another productive pass rusher, they could really make life hell for opposing quarterbacks. Brooks Reed (Arizona) has drawn comparisons to Matthews, so he could tempt general manager Ted Thompson.

Running back is probably the team’s greatest need, and they could potentially land one of the two best backs in this class, Mark Ingram (Alabama) or Mikel Leshoure (Illinois), in round one.

However, the Packers have shown an aversion to taking RBs early, and their offense has certainly functioned fine without a great rusher. It’ll be interesting to see if the Packers contradict history, or they roll the dice with what they have and possibly a mid to late-rounder.