Green Bay Packers Grade
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Green Bay Packers (B)
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(5) AJ Hawk, OLB. Ohio State
(47) Daryn Colledge, OT. Boise State
(52) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
(67) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
(75) Jason Spitz, OG. Luoisville
(104) Cory Rodgers, WR. TCU
(115) Will Blackmon, CB. Boston College
(148) Ingle Martin, QB. Furman
(165) Tony Moll, OT. New Mexico
(183) Johnny Jolly, DT. Texas A&M
(185) Tyrone Culver, S. Fresno State
(253) Dave Tollefson, DE. Northwest Missouri State
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The Green Bay Packers have legitimate needs all over the field: most notably, on the defensive side of the ball. At linebacker, the team could legitimately use two starters at linebacker to play with Nick Barnett. AJ Hawk and Abdul Hodge are super picks in that department. In the secondary, the Packers could use a coverage corner. Will Blackmon has the potential to be special. Offensively, there are serious concerns up front. Two offensive lineman were drafted on day one, which should address significant needs. Trading away Javon Walker to Denver for a second round pick, the Packers tried to refil the receiving corp by grabbing Greg Jennings in the second round. Jennings is an explosive athlete with a gear that few players have. With twelve selections, the Packers had the luxury of reaching for certain players that they targetted and valued highly. There were very few poor picks that were made by the Packers. Overall, they filled many needs and supplied a ton of depth to the roster.
(5) AJ Hawk, OLB. Ohio State
AJ Hawk is an exceptional football player. He is very instinctive on the field. He uses his 4.48 speed to fly all over the field to make plays. He can cover virtually any tight end or running back in man coverage, and he can support the run effectively. He sheds blockers very well, allowing his to get through traffic to the ball carrier. He is the hands-down best linebacker prospect in the draft class. Needing sure-fire talent on defense, AJ Hawk is a perfect fit in Green Bay. He gievs the Packers an immediate impact player at a position where there exists the most glaring team need. Alongside Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk will give the Packers a tandem of linebackers with exceptional range.
(47) Daryn Colledge, OT. Boise State
Easily the best technician in the draft this side of D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Daryn Colledge is an athletic, productive, experienced, versatile lineman that can step in very quickly for the Packers. Colledge entered college at 235lbs as a lowly recruited prospect from North Pole, Alaska. Having started all four years and having gained 65lbs while at Boise State, Colledge secured himself a spot in the second round. Colledge has exceptional footwork, making him one of the premier pass blockers in the draft class. While he needs to add strength and weight to become a more dominant run blocker, Colledge is an NFL-ready technician that can give the Packers a giant upgrade at left guard now while offering a long-term solution at left tackle all the same.
(52) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
Javon Walker is no longer a Packer. No one doubts his athletic ability. Many doubt his ability to gel with the Packers as a teammate. Greg Jennings gives the Packers an explosive receiving option to make up for the loss of Walker. At 5'11"/197, Jennings is undersized, but by no means under-talented. Jennings runs excellent routes and has phenominal hands. Even at his small size, he is not unafraid to go across the middle. He has tremendous ability in the open field. It will be interesting to see how his 4.48 translates to the NFL. It appears he plays much faster than his timed speed in pads. Greg Jennings was simply a production machine in the MAC and offers Brett Favre one more offensive weapon.
(67) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
This pick was brilliant. The Packers need two linebackers. Having traded Javon Walker and shuffled a few more picks, the Packers managed to acquire five picks within the top 75. Hodge was one of those pieces that needed to be acquired to better the team. He is a very solid player that brings a physical mentality to the Packers. Undersized at 6'0"/236, Abdul Hodge plays much bigger than he is on paper. He can absolutely lay the lumber. He is very strong and uses good technique to allow himself to utilize all the size and strength that he possesses. The main knock on Hodge is that he is poor in coverage. However, with natural coverage linebackers in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett, Hodge is an excellent compliment to them. He can leave the field on passing downs for a defensive back. While on the field, he can be an enforcer in the middle. It would not be surprising to see him accumulate more tackles than AJ Hawk in his rookie season.
(75) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle were lost for last season. The loss was felt across the board. Daryn Colledge gave the Packers an elite left guard prospect in the second round, and Jason Spitz gives the Packers an elite right guard prospect in the third. Spitz is one of those players that does nothing excellently, but he does everything well. He is a no nonsense player that simply gets the job done. He had a productive career at Louisville where he simply dominated in the running game. A prototypical right guard, Spitz -along with Colledge- gives the Packers the caliber player required to replace the holes left behind by Wahle and Rivera.
(104) Cory Rodgers, WR. TCU
Continuing to try and surround Brett Favre with a better team, Cory Rodgers is a very valuable player. His speed is not elite (4.58), but he possesses excellent agility and quickness, making him an incredible return man. At 6'0"/190, he has excellent size for a kick returner. As an offensive player, Rodgers is a legitimate deep threat since he has a knack for using his athleticism to maximize the capacity of his undersized NFL frame. Likely a special teams contributer exclusively, Redgers is a proven return man that can give the Packers an advantage in the field position game.
(115) Will Blackmon, CB. Boston College
One of the premier sleeper prospects in the entire draft, Will Blackmon has the potential to develop into an absolute stud. At 6'0"/198, Blackmon has elite size. His 4.46 speed is not elite, but competently good, especially for a guy of his size. He is very smooth in man coverage, fitting the Packers' defensive scheme perfectly. Blackmon will come up and support the run while also possessing excellent hands to come down with the interception. Having been moved to wide receiver by Boston College last season, Blackmon will likely move back to defensive corner in the NFL. He is simply too athletic and too versatile to not like. He has the athleticism to develop into a star.
(148) Ingle Martin, QB. Furman
You really have to hate life if you are Aaron Rogers. Not only are you not going to be able to get playing time again this year with Prett Favre back in town, but the team is drafting a quarterback this year. Ingle Martin has an absolute cannon for an arm. His 6'2"/220 frame is not ideal, but competent. His 4.65 is very good and allows him to move around well both inside and outside of the pocket. A versatile player, Martin was also an All-American punter. He will put pressure on Rogers in the backup role, and will also supply depth in the special teams department. Most of all, the Packers have to love his big arm a la Brett Favre himself.
(165) Tony Moll, OT. New Mexico
This pick was a bit awkward. Having already draft two offensive lineman, the Packers continued the trend, but with a serious reach pick. Tony Moll was totally off the radar with many teams. At 6'4"/280, Moll is vastly undersized to play tackle in the NFL. It is possible the team considers him an option at left guard, but you have to believe that Moll is a couple years from even being close to cracking a starting lineup in the NFL. His 5.10 speed is very average and he managed but 18 bench reps at 225lbs. Nevertheless, he is the Packers guy here. They must really like him.
(183) Johnny Jolly, DT. Texas A&M
Another player who does many things well but nothing elitely well, Johnny Jolly is a solid value pickup for the Packers. At 6'3"/317, Jolly has good size. He is very strong and powerful at the point of attack. He gets very good push up the middle. With some added strength and bulk, he could develop into an excellent situational run stuffer. At the very least, he can supply an option for the team in goalline and short yardage sets.
(185) Tyrone Culver, S. Fresno State
You are going to have to pull Tyrone Culver away from pulling teeth to get him to sign with the Packers. Culver is an excellent, underrated prospect with an NFL frame at 6'1"/195 and NFL speed at 4.56. He supports the run and is consistent in coverage. Nevertheless, Culver is very willing to pass up an opportunity to play in the NFL to go to dental school. Projecting only as a backup safety in the NFL, Culver sees his life as being better off as a Dentist than anything. Should the Packers pull Culver away from dental school, they may have found an excellent contributer on kick-off coverage and a solid depth option in the defensive backfield. With twelve picks, stabbing on a guy like Culver is acceptable.
(253) Dave Tollefson, DE. Northwest Missouri State
Dave Tollefson was an All-American at Northwest Missouri State. He had 16.5 sacks during his senior campaign. At 6'4"/255, he has very good size for an defensive end prospect. He is a very good pass rusher that tends to strguggle shedding blocks in the running game. Nevertheless, Tollefson could be a valuable commodity on an NFL team as a situational pass rusher. Looking for more help with their passing defense, Tollefson could become a piece of that puzzle. He could easily develop into a much better pass rusher than Aaron Kampmann. He simply can make plays in the defensive backfield.
Green Bay Packers (B)
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(5) AJ Hawk, OLB. Ohio State
(47) Daryn Colledge, OT. Boise State
(52) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
(67) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
(75) Jason Spitz, OG. Luoisville
(104) Cory Rodgers, WR. TCU
(115) Will Blackmon, CB. Boston College
(148) Ingle Martin, QB. Furman
(165) Tony Moll, OT. New Mexico
(183) Johnny Jolly, DT. Texas A&M
(185) Tyrone Culver, S. Fresno State
(253) Dave Tollefson, DE. Northwest Missouri State
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The Green Bay Packers have legitimate needs all over the field: most notably, on the defensive side of the ball. At linebacker, the team could legitimately use two starters at linebacker to play with Nick Barnett. AJ Hawk and Abdul Hodge are super picks in that department. In the secondary, the Packers could use a coverage corner. Will Blackmon has the potential to be special. Offensively, there are serious concerns up front. Two offensive lineman were drafted on day one, which should address significant needs. Trading away Javon Walker to Denver for a second round pick, the Packers tried to refil the receiving corp by grabbing Greg Jennings in the second round. Jennings is an explosive athlete with a gear that few players have. With twelve selections, the Packers had the luxury of reaching for certain players that they targetted and valued highly. There were very few poor picks that were made by the Packers. Overall, they filled many needs and supplied a ton of depth to the roster.
AJ Hawk has been penciled in a Packer for months
(5) AJ Hawk, OLB. Ohio State
AJ Hawk is an exceptional football player. He is very instinctive on the field. He uses his 4.48 speed to fly all over the field to make plays. He can cover virtually any tight end or running back in man coverage, and he can support the run effectively. He sheds blockers very well, allowing his to get through traffic to the ball carrier. He is the hands-down best linebacker prospect in the draft class. Needing sure-fire talent on defense, AJ Hawk is a perfect fit in Green Bay. He gievs the Packers an immediate impact player at a position where there exists the most glaring team need. Alongside Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk will give the Packers a tandem of linebackers with exceptional range.
Daryn Colledge is and excellent athlete and technician.
It is forseeable that he could be moved to left guard.
(47) Daryn Colledge, OT. Boise State
Easily the best technician in the draft this side of D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Daryn Colledge is an athletic, productive, experienced, versatile lineman that can step in very quickly for the Packers. Colledge entered college at 235lbs as a lowly recruited prospect from North Pole, Alaska. Having started all four years and having gained 65lbs while at Boise State, Colledge secured himself a spot in the second round. Colledge has exceptional footwork, making him one of the premier pass blockers in the draft class. While he needs to add strength and weight to become a more dominant run blocker, Colledge is an NFL-ready technician that can give the Packers a giant upgrade at left guard now while offering a long-term solution at left tackle all the same.
(52) Greg Jennings, WR. Western Michigan
Javon Walker is no longer a Packer. No one doubts his athletic ability. Many doubt his ability to gel with the Packers as a teammate. Greg Jennings gives the Packers an explosive receiving option to make up for the loss of Walker. At 5'11"/197, Jennings is undersized, but by no means under-talented. Jennings runs excellent routes and has phenominal hands. Even at his small size, he is not unafraid to go across the middle. He has tremendous ability in the open field. It will be interesting to see how his 4.48 translates to the NFL. It appears he plays much faster than his timed speed in pads. Greg Jennings was simply a production machine in the MAC and offers Brett Favre one more offensive weapon.
Abdul Hodge is a sure-fire talent at linebacker
(67) Abdul Hodge, LB. Iowa
This pick was brilliant. The Packers need two linebackers. Having traded Javon Walker and shuffled a few more picks, the Packers managed to acquire five picks within the top 75. Hodge was one of those pieces that needed to be acquired to better the team. He is a very solid player that brings a physical mentality to the Packers. Undersized at 6'0"/236, Abdul Hodge plays much bigger than he is on paper. He can absolutely lay the lumber. He is very strong and uses good technique to allow himself to utilize all the size and strength that he possesses. The main knock on Hodge is that he is poor in coverage. However, with natural coverage linebackers in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett, Hodge is an excellent compliment to them. He can leave the field on passing downs for a defensive back. While on the field, he can be an enforcer in the middle. It would not be surprising to see him accumulate more tackles than AJ Hawk in his rookie season.
(75) Jason Spitz, OG. Louisville
Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle were lost for last season. The loss was felt across the board. Daryn Colledge gave the Packers an elite left guard prospect in the second round, and Jason Spitz gives the Packers an elite right guard prospect in the third. Spitz is one of those players that does nothing excellently, but he does everything well. He is a no nonsense player that simply gets the job done. He had a productive career at Louisville where he simply dominated in the running game. A prototypical right guard, Spitz -along with Colledge- gives the Packers the caliber player required to replace the holes left behind by Wahle and Rivera.
Cory Rodgers is a dominant return man
(104) Cory Rodgers, WR. TCU
Continuing to try and surround Brett Favre with a better team, Cory Rodgers is a very valuable player. His speed is not elite (4.58), but he possesses excellent agility and quickness, making him an incredible return man. At 6'0"/190, he has excellent size for a kick returner. As an offensive player, Rodgers is a legitimate deep threat since he has a knack for using his athleticism to maximize the capacity of his undersized NFL frame. Likely a special teams contributer exclusively, Redgers is a proven return man that can give the Packers an advantage in the field position game.
(115) Will Blackmon, CB. Boston College
One of the premier sleeper prospects in the entire draft, Will Blackmon has the potential to develop into an absolute stud. At 6'0"/198, Blackmon has elite size. His 4.46 speed is not elite, but competently good, especially for a guy of his size. He is very smooth in man coverage, fitting the Packers' defensive scheme perfectly. Blackmon will come up and support the run while also possessing excellent hands to come down with the interception. Having been moved to wide receiver by Boston College last season, Blackmon will likely move back to defensive corner in the NFL. He is simply too athletic and too versatile to not like. He has the athleticism to develop into a star.
Ingle Martin is mobile and has a rocket arm
(148) Ingle Martin, QB. Furman
You really have to hate life if you are Aaron Rogers. Not only are you not going to be able to get playing time again this year with Prett Favre back in town, but the team is drafting a quarterback this year. Ingle Martin has an absolute cannon for an arm. His 6'2"/220 frame is not ideal, but competent. His 4.65 is very good and allows him to move around well both inside and outside of the pocket. A versatile player, Martin was also an All-American punter. He will put pressure on Rogers in the backup role, and will also supply depth in the special teams department. Most of all, the Packers have to love his big arm a la Brett Favre himself.
(165) Tony Moll, OT. New Mexico
This pick was a bit awkward. Having already draft two offensive lineman, the Packers continued the trend, but with a serious reach pick. Tony Moll was totally off the radar with many teams. At 6'4"/280, Moll is vastly undersized to play tackle in the NFL. It is possible the team considers him an option at left guard, but you have to believe that Moll is a couple years from even being close to cracking a starting lineup in the NFL. His 5.10 speed is very average and he managed but 18 bench reps at 225lbs. Nevertheless, he is the Packers guy here. They must really like him.
Johnny Jolly is an immovable object in the middle
(183) Johnny Jolly, DT. Texas A&M
Another player who does many things well but nothing elitely well, Johnny Jolly is a solid value pickup for the Packers. At 6'3"/317, Jolly has good size. He is very strong and powerful at the point of attack. He gets very good push up the middle. With some added strength and bulk, he could develop into an excellent situational run stuffer. At the very least, he can supply an option for the team in goalline and short yardage sets.
(185) Tyrone Culver, S. Fresno State
You are going to have to pull Tyrone Culver away from pulling teeth to get him to sign with the Packers. Culver is an excellent, underrated prospect with an NFL frame at 6'1"/195 and NFL speed at 4.56. He supports the run and is consistent in coverage. Nevertheless, Culver is very willing to pass up an opportunity to play in the NFL to go to dental school. Projecting only as a backup safety in the NFL, Culver sees his life as being better off as a Dentist than anything. Should the Packers pull Culver away from dental school, they may have found an excellent contributer on kick-off coverage and a solid depth option in the defensive backfield. With twelve picks, stabbing on a guy like Culver is acceptable.
(253) Dave Tollefson, DE. Northwest Missouri State
Dave Tollefson was an All-American at Northwest Missouri State. He had 16.5 sacks during his senior campaign. At 6'4"/255, he has very good size for an defensive end prospect. He is a very good pass rusher that tends to strguggle shedding blocks in the running game. Nevertheless, Tollefson could be a valuable commodity on an NFL team as a situational pass rusher. Looking for more help with their passing defense, Tollefson could become a piece of that puzzle. He could easily develop into a much better pass rusher than Aaron Kampmann. He simply can make plays in the defensive backfield.