Category Archives: NFL Draft

Articles about the Green Bay Packers Football team – NFL Draft

30

April

What Holes Remain on Packers Roster After the Draft?

Packers Draft Pick Jerel Worthy

New Packers D-lineman Jerel Worthy should help the team's feeble pass rush.

So all those holes on the Packers defense are patched now, right?

Someone to get after the quarterback opposite Clay Matthews? We got Nick Perry for that.

A defensive lineman to fill the void left by Cullen Jenkins? Say hello to Jerel Worthy.

Defensive backs that can cover and won’t shy away from making a tackle every now and then? Welcome to Green Bay, Casey Hayward and Jerron McMillian.

If only it was that simple. Unfortunately, none of the Packers shiny new toys acquired in the draft have played a snap in the NFL. As excited as Packers fans are to have so many new faces — especially on defense — there’s no guarantee that they’ll make the team any better.

Right now the only tangible asset these draft choices provide is hope. What else does a football team have to sell in April?

But let’s be extra positive and assume that the Packers aced this draft and everyone they selected in rounds 1-4 does what they’re supposed to do and makes the Packers better.

29

April

Tracking the Packers 2012 UDFA Signings: Undrafted Free Agents

Packers GM Ted Thompson NFL Draft

Hmmmmm, how many wide receivers can I find?

Here is the complete list of the Packers’2012 UDFA (undrafted free agent) signings, complete with rankings, height, weight and 40 yard dash times. We will be continually updating the list with additional player information or adding new signings, so check back in throughout the day.

Dale Moss, WR, South Dakota St – 6’3″ 220lbs, 4.39 40yd dash time -

Was the 30th ranked wide receiver with a “preferred free agent” grade by NFL Scouting.  At his Pro day, also had a 41.5 inch vertical, had a 10’10 broad jump. In 2011, caught 61 passes for 949 yards and 6 TDs in 10 games.

 

Darius Reynolds, WR, Iowa State – 6’0″ 209lbs, 4.54 40yd dash time -

Was the 79th ranked wide receiver with a “camp invitee” grade by NFL Scouting. In 2011, caught 43 passes for 695 yards and 7 TDs in 11 games.

 

Marcus Rivers, WR, Buffalo – 6’0″ 212lbs, 4.61 40yd dash time -

Was the 73rd ranked wide receiver with a “camp invitee” grade by NFL Scouting. In 2011, caught 60 passes for 615 yards and 2 TDs in 12 games.

29

April

Thoughts and Reactions to the Packers 2012 Draft Class

Green Bay Packer Draft Pick Nick Perry USC

USC DE/OLB Nick Perry

Saying that Ted Thompson and the Packers focused on defense in the 2012 NFL Draft wouldn’t be strong enough. Thompson used the Packers’ first six draft picks exclusively on defense before drafting Andrew Datko in the seventh round.

The heavy emphasis on defense wasn’t the only difference in this years’ draft for the Packers. After trading up just three times since taking over draft day responsibilities for the Packers, Thompson traded up not once, not twice, but thrice to get players.

Round 1: Nick Perry, OLB, University of Southern California

Perry fulfills a specific need while providing great value to the Packers at the 28th pick. Perry should be able to make the transition to OLB and fit nicely opposite Clay Matthews. It would appear that Perry will be the starter making the jump over Erik Walden, Brad Jones and Frank Zombo. With some coaching, Perry should be able to make an immediate impact on the Packers defense.

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Seventh Round Pick: B.J. Coleman, QB Chattanooga

Green Bay Packer Draft Pick BJ Coleman, QB Tennessee-Chattanooga

Packer Draft Pick BJ Coleman, QB Tennessee-Chattanooga

With their seventh round pick (243rd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected B.J. Coleman, a quarterback from Chattanooga.

 

PLAYER DETAILS: 
B.J. Coleman
Quarterback
Chattanooga Mocs
6’3″ 232lbs

CAREER NOTES: 

From CBSSports:

A three-year starter, Bryon “BJ” Coleman was a top 20 quarterback recruit out of high school, choosing Tennessee the summer before his senior year. After redshirting in 2007, he saw limited action in 2008 as the third-string reserve, going 4-for-8 (50.0 percent) for 21 yards and one interception over three games. Coleman decided to transfer to Chattanooga (Tenn.) before the 2009 season and won the starting quarterback job as a sophomore (11 starts), finishing 227-for-401 (56.6 percent) for 2,348 yards, 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He had his most productive season in 2010 as a junior with 11 starts, going 215-for-382 (56.3 percent) for 2,996 yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and four rushing scores, earning Second Team All-Southern honors. Coleman battled a shoulder injury in 2011 as a senior and missed four games (seven starts), finishing 137-for-225 (60.9 percent) for 1,527 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

AGILITY TESTS: 
4.38 in the 20 yard shuttle…7.07 in the 3 cone drill…109 inch broad jump…4.95 in the 40 yard dash

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Seventh Round Pick: Andrew Datko, T Florida State University

With their seventh round pick (241st overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Andrew Datko, an offensive lineman from Florida State University.

 

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Andrew Datko
Offensive Tackle
Florida State Seminoles
6’6″ 315lbs

CAREER NOTES: 

Scouts are anxious to get another look at Florida State left offensive tackle Andy Datko, who was limited to four games in 2011 by shoulder surgery, and who has a history of shoulder problems. Datko started 40 games during his career with the Seminoles, was 6-6 and 315 pounds at the combine, where he ran 5.32, but still has some interesting potential. Datko entered last season as one of the better tackle prospects in the country, is regarded as having decent feet, but scouts seem to like his frame and his demeanor, and he could be a late-round choice for some team willing to take a chance.  - Len Pasquarelli, The Sports Xchange

AGILITY TESTS: 
7.71 in the 3 cone drill…5.32 in the 40 yard dash…29″ vertical

SCOUTING REPORT: 

From CBSSports:

Positives: Quick and nimble, light on his feet. Very athletic blocker on the move. Good slide and hand placement effectively shut down most speed rushers. Smart prospect who has great experience and works extremely hard.

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Fifth Round Pick: Terrell Manning, LB NC State

Packers fifth round draft pick Terrell Manning, LB NC State

Packers fifth round draft pick Terrell Manning, LB NC State

With their fifth round pick (163rd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Terrell manning, a linebacker out of NC State. This pick had been traded on day 2 to the Patriots, but the Packers traded to get it back, giving New England their 6th (#197), 7th (#224) & 7th (#235)

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Terrell Manning
Linebacker
NC State
6’2″ 237lbs

CAREER NOTES: From CBSDraft:

Despite averaging 76 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in two starting seasons for the Wolfpack, Manning surprised many with his decision to leave after his junior season. While he’s athletic and possesses intriguing natural pass rush skills, Manning is also highly inconsistent. He also is a bit of a medical concern as he missed two games in 2011 with after undergoing minor knee surgery and redshirted the 2008 season due to knee injury suffered in high school a year earlier. With Manning there is upside to consider, however. When Manning returned from the knee injury in October, he went on to enjoy the most productive stretch of his career, twice being named the ACC Linebacker of the
Week (North Carolina, Maryland). He was a boom or bust player in these contests as well, however, as he was against Louisville in the Belk Bowl. Manning has obvious athleticism and appears to have the frame capable of bulking up. In an attacking scheme he has the physical skill-set to develop.

AGILITY TESTS: 

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Fourth Round Pick: Jerron McMillian, S Maine

With their fourth round pick (133rd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Jerron McMillian, a safety from Maine. The Packers had McMillian in for a pre-draft visit.

 

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Jerron McMillian
Strong Safety
University of Maine Black Bears
5’11″ 203lbs

CAREER NOTES: 

From JSOnline:

McMillian was an all-conference selection who had  92 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He had one interception.

AGILITY TESTS: 
4.22 in the 20 yard shuttle…6.69 in the 3 cone drill…4.42 in the 40 yard dash…17 reps on bench press…120″ broad jump…36.5″ vertical

SCOUTING REPORT: 
From NFL.com:

STRENGTHS: McMillian brings a physical presence to the back end of the defense, reacts to passes well and can force his body hard in one direction to make a play toward the ball, much like he does in his reactions to the run. He is quick to diagnose run and pass, and reacts to the run much better coming toward the line of scrimmage than he does moving away. McMillian is NFL-ready in supporting the run.

WEAKNESSES: McMillian can struggle in some of his transitional movements when playing the pass. He looks to support the run first and this can get him to bite at times.