NFL Draft 2011: Grading All 10 of the Green Bay Packers Draft Picks

The Packers GM Ted Thompson has done an amazing job building the Packers through the draft.

Time and time again he has found good value in late round picks no one would think would succeed.

They did however, and Thompson should be the GM for a while. Packers fans are certainly happy about that.

For those wondering, the grades will be assigned based on the players value and the round they are selected.

The War Room for Green Bay during the draft was intense at times, and it's time to find out how well Thompson did in his seventh NFL Draft.

1. Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: J.C. Brignone #70 and Derek Sherrod #79of the Mississippi State Bulldogs get ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

It's not a reach or a flashy pick, but instead it's a safer one.

Sherrod is great in all areas of an offensive lineman's game but doesn't have one strength in particular.

The Packers needed some offensive line help and it gives the Packers some flexibility. Sherrod could be put at left or right tackle and possibly even left guard.

He gives the Packers a number of options on the offensive line and will help an area that needed some aid last season.

Grade: A-

2. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Randall Cobb answers questions during a media session at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

If you want to further understand the magic of Randall Cobb, watch this play.

Cobb is a utility man who could do many things for the Packers. In fact, he is one of my favorite players in the entire draft.

Not only could he play WR, but he could also line up in the Wildcat formation and either run the ball or throw it, as he played some quarterback as well.

No longer does Tramon Williams have to be the punt returner.

Grade: A

3. Alex Green, RB, Hawaii

Green was the FBS leader in yards per carry this season, averaging a stunning 8.2 YPC. He also ran for the score 18 times.

However, there are some things you have to account for when dissecting those numbers.

Hawaii ran a spread offense with one of the most potent passing attacks in the nation, which led to tremendous holes in the run game for Green.

And with that, most of the attention was focused on Bryant Moniz, the Hawaii QB.

Green, a big back who ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, is a threat in the running and passing game.

However, a DE would have been nice.

Grade: B- 

4. Davon House, CB, NMST

When the Packers selected House, the NFL announcers noted that he "struggled in transition."

Going back and watching his tape, you can see that that is true. However, you can also see that he is a speedy corner who could be very good.

Charles Woodson will no doubt help develop House and improve his deficiencies, and if he does you could be hearing Davon House's name a lot.

Expect him to see some playing time in his first year but he is still a bit of a project.

Grade: B+

5. D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: D.J. Williams #45 of the Arkansas Razorbacks reaches for the goaline to score on a two-point conversion in the third quarter against Jermale Hines #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana

Williams is a player who, I feel, could have gone a round or so higher than this.

Nevertheless, the Packers stuck to their unoffical motto "Take the best player available."

The Arkansas tight end was the John Mackey Award winner for the best tight end in the nation.

Combining him with Jermichael Finley could create two matchup nightmares for opposing teams. 

Still, no defensive end.

Anyways, this could be a scary good pick.

Grade: A-

6. Caleb Schlauderaff, OL, Utah

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 19: Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after the Ducks recovered a fumble as Caleb Schlauderaff #72 of the Utah Utes walks to the sidelines during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Eugene, Or

Schlauderaff possesses good size at 6'4" 305 pounds but there isn't much else to cheer about. 

He has good work ethic and is a clean character guy who plays with a mean streak.

In all reality, Schlauderaff probably won't become a starter. But in time he should be a solid backup who may get some playing time.

Grade: C-

6. D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian State

Production wise, Smith is one of the best linebackers in the league.

In his career at Appalachian State, Smith amassed 525 tackles. That's an average of about 131 tackles per year.

In addition, he recorded several sacks and interceptions.

In NFL terms, he is a bit small at 240 pounds but still ran alright in the 40-yard dash.

He should be able to find time as a special teamer and provide even more depth to an already outstanding linebacker unit.

Still, no defensive end.

Grade: B

6. Ricky Elmore, LB, Arizona

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 5: Defensive ends Brooks Reed #42 and Ricky Elmore #44 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after stopping the USC Trojans on the final play on December 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Arizona won 21-17

Ricky Elmore is actually No.44 in this picture, but darn Getty Images wouldn't give up any other results for him.

Elmore actually had more sacks (10) than the other player in this picture, Brooks Reed (7), who got picked in the second round.

Though he was a defensive lineman in college, Elmore doesn't have the size to play on the line in the NFL. Instead, he'll be moved to OLB.

I'm confident that after a year or so Elmore will have turned out to be a steal.

But still, no defensive end.

Grade: B+

7. Ryan Taylor, TE, UNC

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: (L-R) Ryan Taylor #49, Melik Brown #58, Patrick Marsh #63 and Nick Starcevic #43 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels line up at the line of scrimmage against the Clemson Tigers during their game on September 23, 2006

Taylor is No. 49 in this picture, as it would be hard to tell for anyone who doesn't know him already.

Taylor played the H-back position (a hybrid TE/FB) at UNC and just started catching passes last season. He had 36 receptions.

However, this pick made no sense to me.

Why take an extra tight end. You just drafted D.J. Williams.

Why not take Greg Romeus, a lineman from Pittsburgh who is a first round talent but somehow dropped to the seventh after his season ending injury.

No. Defensive. End.

Grade: F 

7. Lawrence Guy, DL, Arizona State

With their last pick in the draft the Super Bowl Champions finally take a defensive lineman.

And they get good value here too.

Guy was a projected mid round pick who could have gone in the fourth round. However, he slips to the Packers here.

Guy played defensive tackle in college but will most likely play the defensive end in the Packers' 3-4 scheme.

Though unusual for a seventh rounder, Guy may see some quality playing time in his first season.

Grade: A-