Green Bay Packers: Final 7-Round Mock Draft with Possible Trades
2011 NFL Mock Draft: The Green Bay Packers Get Danny Watkins and Randall Cobb Early
The day we've been waiting for is nearly here.
After weeks and months of speculation and analysis, the 2011 NFL draft is less than 48 hours away. What does that mean for Packers fans?
It's almost time for GM Ted Thompson to find the next batch of Packers rookies, and he'll make his money over the next several days.
An while it might be a futile exercise, this is my final attempt to recreate what Thompson might do over the next several of days.
Let's get started with the Packers' first pick, which has been traded to...
Second Round (No. 35, from Cincinnati): G Danny Watkins, Baylor
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Trade: Packers send picks No. 32 and 235 to Cincinnati Bengals for picks No. 35, 134 and 207
When push comes to shove, I think two things will happen with the Packers' first pick.
First, they'll trade out of the No. 32 spot. Teams that want to get a quarterback will likely look at the final couple of picks on day one and decide they need to move up and get their guy. The Packers won't hesitate to pick up more picks and still get the player they want in the second round.
Once the Packers do decide to make their first pick, it should be either an offensive or defensive lineman.
In the end, the Packers select Watkins—a player who can come in right away and be the Packers starting left guard. Stability on the offensive line is always a priority, and that's what Watkins can give Green Bay.
Second Round (No. 46, from Denver): WR Randall Cobb, Kentucky
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Trade: Packers send picks No. 64, 96 and 207 to Denver Broncos for pick No. 46
He might not be one of the Packers' picks when the draft is all said and done, but there's no reason why Randall Cobb shouldn't be.
Cobb can physically dominate the slot position, and his ability to return punts and kicks would make him an impact player immediately for the Packers.
Even with everything he can do on the field, it's his passion for the game and clean background that gives him so much value for Green Bay in the second round.
Some might think he is a reach at No. 46, but I have no reservations saying that Cobb could be one of safest and highest-valued players in this draft.
Fourth Round (No. 129): CB Cortez Allen, Citadel
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The Packers don't need a cornerback to play right away in 2011, but finding one who can be an impact contributor down the road has to rank high on their wishlist.
In the fourth round, Cortez Allen might just be that guy.
He's certainly a raw prospect, but Allen is also unafraid to play the run, has the ideal size and can make plays on the ball.
Given time to work behind Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields, Allen could transition into Woodson's position in the defense once No. 21 is done playing football.
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Fourth Round (No. 131, Compensatory Pick): DE Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas
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Cullen Jenkins has likely played his last down in Green Bay, making defensive end a position that could use restocking.
If they choose against taking one in the first round, Thornton in the fourth makes a lot of sense for the Packers.
He's been compared to Cullen Jenkins throughout the draft process, and his size and experience could make him an important part of the Packers defensive line rotation right away.
Fifth Round (No. 134, from Cincinnati): OLB Steven Friday, Virginia Tech
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I'm still of the opinion that if the Packers don't pick an outside linebacker in the first round, they shouldn't take one at all. Why take a player who might not be a huge upgrade over who's already on the roster?
Even so, the Packers will likely want to add competition to that position.
And while Friday doesn't get a lot of publicity, he has the skill set to push Erik Walden, Brad Jones and Frank Zombo for the starting linebacker position opposite Clay Matthews.
Fifth Round (No. 163): OT Derek Newton, Arkansas State
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If the Packers take a guard with their first pick, offensive tackle becomes a position they likely will look at in the middle rounds.
A long-term option to replace Chad Clifton needs to be found, and I'm still not convinced that player is on the roster.
Newton has the size and athleticism to play left tackle, but he'd also need time to develop in the NFL game–something the Packers have with Clifton still on the roster.
Sixth Round (No. 197): DT Anthony Gray, Southern Miss
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The Packers are never shy about bringing in big players to contribute on the defensive line. Think of Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and Howard Green—those three alone combine for nearly 1,000 pounds of weight.
With that in mind, the Packers might be in the market for another big man to replace either Pickett or Green farther down the road.
At 5'11", 335 pounds, Gray certainly fits the profile and has the athleticism to also play defensive end in the 3-4.
Seventh Round (No. 204): S Mark LeGree
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The Packers depth at safety is being challenged by several departures this offseason.
Derrick Martin has already been cut, and both Atari Bigby and Anthony Smith could leave in free agency.
By taking LeGree, the Packers get a ball-hawking safety that could develop behind the starters and also improve a special teams unit that struggled last season.
Seventh Round (No. 233): RB Graig Cooper, Miami
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Will the Packers bring Brandon Jackson back? We'll find out a lot on that answer once this draft is over.
If Thompson takes a player high—say in the first three rounds—it's likely Jackson won't be back in Green Bay. I'm not in the camp that thinks that will happen in this draft.
Jackson will be back, but that shouldn't stop the Packers from picking Cooper in the seventh round. He can bring many of the same things that Jackson gives the Packers offense and can also play special teams.
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