2011 NFL Draft Grades: Pick-by-Pick Analysis of Green Bay Packers Draft Class

The Green Bay Packers had the best spot in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft: the last spot.

The Super Bowl champions only needed to reload in order to prepare for the 2011 season.

And that's exactly what they did.

They addressed needs at tackle, running back, wide receiver and added some guys who should be able to contribute on special teams.

With 10 total selections in this year's draft, general manager Ted Thompson added some valuable depth to the Packers.

Here's a breakdown of each pick the Packers made over the weekend.

Round 1: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

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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

The Packers need to start replacing Chad Clifton.

I was really hoping Gabe Carimi would fall a few more spots, but the Chicago Bears scooped him up.

So, with Carimi off the board, Sherrod was the most logical choice.

Scouts have been raving about his mobility at the tackle position. With Aaron Rodgers being a mobile quarterback, having an athletic left tackle is a big plus.

Grade: A

Round 2: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 38-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

I love this pick for one reason: special teams contributions.

Cobb was a dynamic return man at Kentucky.

He can come into Green Bay and hopefully take over punt returns from Tramon Williams and replace James Starks on kickoff returns.

Any contributions he makes on offense during his rookie year will just be gravy.

Grade: A

Round 3: Alex Green, RB, Hawaii

The Packers definitely needed a running back in this draft, but I’m not sure Green was the most logical guy to fill the role.

Of course, I questioned the pick of James Starks last year too.

And the last Packers running back with the last name “Green” did pretty well for himself.

Grade: C

Round 4: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

House is going to take a couple years to develop into an NFL cornerback.

And that’s perfectly fine.

He can work his way into the rotation as the Packers’ fourth corner, behind Williams, Charles Woodson and Sam Shields.

Eventually, when Woodson either retires or moves to safety, House can move into the nickel corner role.

Grade: B

Round 5: D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: D.J. Williams #45 of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts to what he thought was a touchdown but he was down by contact in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on

I actually like this pick a lot.

Quarless had his chance to be the second tight end for Green Bay last season, but he struggled at times.

I like the option of having Jermichael Finley and D.J. Williams on the field at the same time.

I’m sure Aaron Rodgers feels the same way.

Grade: B+

Round 6: Caleb Schlauderaff, G, Utah

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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

I don’t know a lot about Schlauderaff, but I like the pick of a guard.

Adding depth along the offensive line is always a good thing to do.

Schlauderaff’s 6’3”, 298-pound frame will add depth to the Packers interior line.

Grade: B-

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

Smith was one of the best small college linebackers in the country last year.

He's a good late-round pick, but I'm not entirely sure where he fits into the Packers system.

Although, if Nick Barnett gets hurt again in 2011, Smith will have some value backing up Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk.

Grade: B-

Round 6: Ricky Elmore, DE/OLB, Arizona

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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

Elmore had 21 sacks in his last two seasons at Arizona.

He could prove to be an absolute steal of a sixth-round pick.

For now, he’ll fill a valuable role, working with Frank Zombo and Eric Walden to play opposite Clay Matthews at OLB.

Grade: B+

Round 7: Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina

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

As much as I liked the D.J. Williams pick, I can’t defend this pick.

With Finley, Quarless, Tom Crabtree and now Williams, why would Ted Thompson draft another tight end?

Unless his plan is to stick Taylor on the practice squad, I don’t understand how he doesn’t get cut before the season.

Grade: D-

Round 7: Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State

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TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Saia Falahola #77 and Lawrence Guy #50 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrate after defeating the Arizona Wildcats in college football game at Arizona Stadium on December 2, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Sun D

I like that Thompson took a defensive tackle with his last pick.

Now, when Justin Harrell gets hurt again, the Packers will have a little bit of depth behind B.J. Raji.

And, it doesn’t look like Johnny Jolly will be able to play in 2011, so picking Guy was a good move.

Grade: C+