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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.

Round 2: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

With a pick I would have been pleased with in the first round, the Packers traded up and grabbed Worthy. The combo of Perry and Worthy will come into Green Bay with big expectations, similar to Matthews and B.J. Raji. Worthy will immediately improve the Packers defensive line lined up alongside Raji and Ryan Pickett. Worthy not only adds to the pass rush, but allows the Packers flexibility on the line because of his size.  Read more... (817 words + 1 image, estimated 3:16 mins reading time)

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As the Packers draft analyst for DraftTek.com, I’ve done at least 20 mock drafts over the last 6 months. They’re not entirely mine, however, as the actual picks are made by computer. I get to input needs information, and can try to “grab” certain players or “lockout” players from contention.

Analysts for the other 31 teams all do the same thing. What results is the closest thing to a real draft simulation (they don’t call it a mock) I’ve seen anywhere. It ‘s quite unique and if you are not familiar with it, you really should check them out.

What’s even cooler is that on draft day, the “simulation” is updated within minutes of when each pick is selected. So, as the Packers are up at #28, it will re-run the simulation, eliminating the 27 other players already picked from contention for the Packers pick. Isn’t that rather amazing?

Well anyway, on to my personal mock draft, totaly devoid of any sense of reality and pure guesswork at it’s best:

2012 Packers Mock Draft

Round 1 (#28):  Shea McClellin, OLB Boise State – I’ve finally come around to the inevitable. If McClellin is there, the Packers will take him. I say I’ve come around because I’m not still not convinced McClellin is a first round player, but I so want OLB help that I’ll gladly take McClellin here. Problem is New England wants him also, and guess where they pick – just before the Packers. Alternates: Kevin Zeitler, Lavonte David  Read more... (746 words + 2 images, estimated 2:59 mins reading time)

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2012 NFL Draft

AllGreenBayPackers.com is ready to bring you the best in Packers’ NFL Draft Coverage. We’ll bring you detailed analysis on the players the Packers select, not from “draftniks” (not that there’s anything wrong with draftniks…), but from a professional scouting organization used by the teams themselves. Yes, you heard that right, real insider information from the true experts.

Here’s a little sample, their ranking of the top-20 wide receivers in the 2012 draft:

TOP-20 WIDE RECEIVERS  Read more... (638 words + 3 images, estimated 2:33 mins reading time)

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Will Mike Neal be in camp this summer?

As Al alluded to earlier, the Green Bay Packers are making headlines during the first day of free agency. Unfortunately, none of them are the good kind.

The news about Scott Wells likely leaving aside, the big topic of the day in Packer Nation is the four-game suspension of defensive end Mike Neal for violation of the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy. Neal has missed a large amount of time his first two seasons due to injury and today’s news raises a few questions.

First is a simple “why?” Neal was becoming the next Packer defender to have the “injury prone” label slapped on his forehead after the merciful departure of Justin Harrell.  Neal knew he wasn’t seeing the field that much so why take the PEDs? Was he hoping to get the upper hand over his teammates ahead of him on the depth chart?

If that’s the case, could it be time to hand him his walking papers?.  That’s not how things are done in Green Bay and Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson will not hesitate in making that message crystal clear to Neal. McCarthy and Thompson pride themselves on running their team the right way and shenanigans like this will not be tolerated one bit.

While he may deserve a second chance, he’s teetering on thin ice due to his injury history and with him entering his critical third year this is the last thing neal needed as he makes his case to remain a Packers.  Read more... (618 words + 1 image, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

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