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Packers GM Ted Thompson

It’s been said over and over, but while the 2013 NFL Draft lacks star power at the top, it’s extremely deep in rounds two and three. So that should make for an exciting Day 2 tonight.

You’ll notice plenty of first-round talent on the board between picks 33-62. There are even some players in the third round that had a shot at being selected in round one.

For the Packers, I’d be quite surprised if they don’t add a skill position player at some point today. Whether it’s running back, wide receiver, or both, the Packers should have plenty of options to add an impact player on Day 2. There wasn’t a single running back selected in round one, so Eddie Lacy, Giovani Bernard, Johnathan Franklin and Le’Veon Bell are all still on the board. There’s a very good chance that one of those players will fall to the Packers at No. 55.

Sorry, Mel Kiper, but Montee Ball is not a first-round talent, and I don’t think he’ll be selected in the second round at all.

But if the Packers have their choice between several running backs, they’ll probably have to decide what’s more important: Do they a running back that would play immediately, or grabbing a wide receiver to groom for the future? Of course, they could go for a more immediate need and go with a safety or center, but I believe the value will be better at the end of the third round at those positions.  Read more... (1180 words + 1 image, estimated 4:43 mins reading time)

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Packers DE Datone Jones

The first 32 picks of the 2013 NFL Draft are in the books, and the Packers struck gold (and baby blue?) by grabbing UCLA defensive end Datone Jones at No. 26.

Jones was a popular pick among mock drafts, and he was my selection for the Packers in my final mock draft released Thursday. At 6’4″ 283 pounds, Jones has the frame to add another 10-15 pounds and be a difference-maker on the defensive line early in his career.

But when the Packers were on the clock, Jones wasn’t necessarily a no-brainer. A number of players at positions of need were on the board, including defensive linemen Jesse Williams and Sylvester Williams, safeties Jonathan Cyprien and Matt Elam, and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

The team’s two biggest needs are/were at safety and on the defensive line. So rather than go with a luxury pick like Patterson, the Packers opted to go with the more glaring need by taking Jones.

A year ago, the Packers addressed the defensive line by taking Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy in the second round and Iowa’s Mike Daniels in the fourth. Worthy suffered a torn ACL late in 2012 and may miss a large chuck, or perhaps all, of the 2013 season. And with Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson set to hit free agency after this season, the selection of Jones gives the team some flexibility along the line.

What they’re saying:  Read more... (1223 words + 1 image, estimated 4:54 mins reading time)

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Nevada TE Zach Sudfeld

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: TE Zach Sudfeld

Player Information:

Zach Sudfeld, TE Nevada
6-7, 253 pounds
Hometown: Modesto, Cal.

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.78
225-pound bench: 11 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.41
Broad jump: 9′ 5″
Vertical jump: 37″

News and Notes:

One-year starter who caught 45 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns as a sixth-year senior … Redshirted as a true freshman at Nevada, before sitting out his redshirt freshman season with an injury … Played in every game in 2010 behind current Denver Broncos backup tight end Virgil Green … Started the 2011 season opener before suffering a broken leg which ended his season … Received a medical redshirt for the 2012 season … Wasn’t invited to the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine after being one of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award in 2012.

 What they’re saying about him: 

• CBSSports.com: “Excellent size/strength combo for the position. At 6-7 and 255 pounds, he is a large target, shows natural receiving skills and the ability to watch the ball into his hands. shows his athleticism once he gets going, accelerating in-and-out of his breaks and creating some separation from linebackers or safeties.”

Video:

Video Analysis:  Read more... (459 words + 1 image, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

• Big. Excellent blocker.
• Not a “burner” but smooth in and out of his breaks. He’s a former basketball player, and he plays like it.
• Natural catching the football.

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NC State safety Earl Wolff

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: S Earl Wolff

Player Information:

Earl Wolff, S North Carolina St.
5-11, 209 pounds
Hometown: Raeford, N.C.

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.40
20-yard shuttle: 4.07
Broad jump: 11′ 2″
Vertical jump: 39″

News and Notes:

Three-year starter at North Carolina State … Former head coach Tom O’Brien once called Wolff “the heart of the defense” … Graduated in three-and-a-half years with a degree in sports management … Led the team in tackles as a senior, finishing with 119 on the year … Finished second on the team in tackles with 113 as a junior … Finished third on the team with 91 tackles as a sophomore … Had seven forced fumbles during his college career … Redshirted as a true freshman in 2008 before starting four games as a redshirt freshman in 2009 … Was a high school running back at Hoke County High School, also a standout track athlete

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (577 words + 1 image, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: “Possesses lean, muscular frame with long arms. Displays good play recognition, and nice initial straight-ahead burst. Takes sound angles to the outside against the run, and really uses his length well to close space and make the tackle. Wraps up nicely, and routinely approaches his target low. Exhibits a fluid backpedal and flips the hips with good timing in transition.”

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Florida safety Josh Evans

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: FS Josh Evans

Player Information:

Josh Evans, FS Florida
6-1, 207 pounds
Hometown: Irvington, N.J.

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.54
20-yard shuttle: 4.10
Broad jump: 10′ 3″
Vertical jump: 34.5″

News and Notes:

Two-year starter alongside first-round hopeful Matt Elam … Started 24 games and appeared in a total of 47 during his time at Florida … Competed with Florida’s track team during the spring indoor season in 2010 … As a senior, Evans led the team with 79 tackles, including 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss … Built like a free safety, has the mentality of a strong safety … Recorded four tackles and an interception in his last college game in the Sugar Bowl against Louisville … Chose Florida over Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and Purdue … Was a high school quarterback

 What they’re saying about him: 

• CBSSports.com: “Has a lean, athletic build with very long arms. Attacking mentality stands out on film. He isn’t afraid to get physical and competes when the ball is in the air and after the catch, always attempting to rip it out of the ballcarrier’s grasp. Attacks the line of scrimmage when he reads run or when allowed to blitz, which he did effectively in 2012, recording 2.5 sacks.”

Video:

Video Analysis:  Read more... (505 words + 1 image, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

• Quick to the ball against the run and the pass.

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UCLA DE Datone Jones

One week until the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. That’s seven days. One-hundred and sixty-eight hours. However you want to look at it.

Last week, I posted a mock draft and said that I never project trades. But this time, I’m breaking one of my own rules because there’s one that simply makes too much sense.

Many picks remain unchanged from last week, but I’ve done some reshuffling starting at No. 5 overall with the Detroit Lions. You can expect something similar next week for my final mock draft before the action kicks off next Thursday night.

Enjoy and comment away.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

(Last: Same) No surprise at the top for the Chiefs. It will likely be either Joeckel or Eric Fisher, but I have Joeckel rated slightly higher, due in part to playing against better competition at Texas A&M. They can move Branden Albert to right tackle and plug Joeckel in on Alex Smith’s blind side.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

(Last: Same) It’s going to be Smith or Dion Jordan at No. 2 for the Jaguars. Between now and the draft, I’m sure there will be some rumors thrown out there that the Jags have their eye on other players, but don’t be fooled. If they’re comfortable with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, they’ll go with Jordan. I’m not a Gabbert guy.

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida  Read more... (2942 words + 1 image, estimated 11:46 mins reading time)

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