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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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2013 NFL Draft

As the Packers draft analyst for DraftTek.com, I’ve been involved with at least 20 mock drafts leading up to today. 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 (if they are available at that spot) 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 #26, it will re-run the simulation within minutes, eliminating the 25 other players already picked from contention for the Packers pick. So at any point in the draft, you can get a quick view at what the landscape looks like for the rest of the draft. Isn’t that rather amazing? It’s a great thing to be checking as you watch the draft unfold…

Here’s how today’s  today’s final DrafTek  NFL Draft simulation ended up:  Read more... (1163 words + 3 images, estimated 4:39 mins reading time)

1. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
2. Jonathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
3. Stedman Bailey, WR , West Virginia
4. JJ Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern
5. Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State / 5B: Nicholas Williams, DE Samford
6. David Bass, OLB, Missouri Western

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Packers GM Ted Thompson

Trying to figure out Mocks that involve all 32 teams seems absolutely impossible to my old mind. Trying to construct something that captures the scheming and mechanization of TED THOMPSON’s mind may be even more daunting. But at least it only involves 8 Picks and no one in their right mind expects anything close to it to actually occur at the end of April. So here is my first PACKERS 2013 Draft projection.

Just a brief explanation of the effort. I am using my Top 300 prospect list and then selecting at the pick spots currently held by the PACK. When they are scheduled to select at spot 26 in Round 1 I consider prospects that I have ranked from 24-35. Thus I am hoping that Whitey likes someone in that 12 spot range. Within those 12 I am also considering needs as I view them. Even though Thompson professes the “best available athlete” philosophy as his drafting mode, he is far from oblivious to roster need factors if he has a group of players that are pretty much equally ranked on his Draft Board.

Even though I believe this to be a very good Draft to trade back a couple of times because of high quality depth I refuse to even begin speculation on when and where he might trade. Therefore, this projection is confined to the current 8 Picks that the PACKERS organization holds.  Read more... (984 words + 1 image, estimated 3:56 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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What would Ted do?

It is April Fools’ Day 2012. And it seems to me to be just about the perfect time to be the perfect fool and attempt to predict the entire PACKERS Draft 2012. I might update this just before the actual Draft … then again maybe not. So pay attention, it may be your one and only chance to Mock me in my attempt to predict what TED THOMPSON might do.

Just a few explanations of how I do this. No, these are not excuses, just my own ground rules. The key is using my Regardless of Position prospect rankings list. I take each PACKERS Pick number and look at my list starting 3 ranked players before the actual Pick number. Anything from that number and beyond is fair game. For instance in Round One, where they pick at 28 I look for a player that might fit their needs, type of player profile and guys who “fit their scheme.” Then I make a Pick, i.e. guess, from players I have ranked 25 and on.  Read more... (974 words + 1 image, estimated 3:54 mins reading time)

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The 2011 NFL Draft is quickly approaching.

After all the speculation surrounding the draft process, the actual event will finally take place from Thursday night to Saturday.

So, before the draft, I tried my hand at playing Ted Thompson and put together a seven round mock draft for the Packers. Complete with trades and analysis, I think this mock draft gives the Packers several key pieces for 2011 and beyond.

TRADE: Packers send pick No. 32 to Cincinnati Bengals for picks No. 35, 134 and 207

Second round (No. 35, from Cincinnati): G Danny Watkins, Baylor

There will be a team in the early second round that gives the Packers a call about trading back into the first round. When that call comes, Packers GM Ted Thompson quickly accepts.

Even without a pick on day one, the Packers find an immediate starter on the offensive line in Watkins. When Daryn Colledge leaves in free agency, Watkins will step right in at left guard and likely improves the unit overall.

TRADE: Packers send picks No. 64, 96 and 207 to Denver Broncos for pick No. 46

Second round (No. 46, from Denver): WR Randall Cobb, Kentucky

With more extra picks in their draft queue, the Packers can afford to trade up from No. 64 and get Cobb—a versatile and physical receiver who makes his living after the catch.  Read more... (740 words + 9 images, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)

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From our friend Pigskin Paul, who has been studying the NFL Draft since before you were born (well, most of you, anyway), here is a full seven-round 2011 NFL mock draft for the Green Bay Packers:

2011 PACKERS MOCK DRAFT

Not to bore you with detailed minutia, but here is roughly how it works. I use the PIGSKIN PAUL Regardless List and scan the 10-12 players closest to each PACKERS Pick slot. Then I select the player that seems the best fit for the PACKERS schemes and style of play. And away we go…

PICK 32/R1 MUHAMMED WILKERSON /DE/TEMPLE/6’5/310   Freakishly athletic DL who can play anywhere but the nose, in any scheme. He is a bit raw, but the PACK has a staff that can ‘coach-up’ players. He should be able to contribute right away, and has great upside. He could be the defensive version of JERMICHAEL FINLEY/TE. If he really is available to them then WHITEY might not look to trade out of Round 1.Great value selection, as well as a need with unlikely return of JENKINS or JOLLY.

PICK 64/R2 DANIEL THOMAS /RB/KANSAS STATE/6’0/228      PACKERS Personnel people have been scouting THOMAS hard. He’s a one-cut runner with decent speed for his size and is excellent catching the ball out in space. He’s a bit raw as a RB, having played QB until 3 seasons ago. His style of running fits a zone blocking scheme. He needs to run over and through defenders with more power and will have to step it up in pass pro. But he is a willing learner and works hard. This pick is an insurance policy if GRANT does not return to form, and/or JACKSON goes elsewhere as a VFA.  Read more... (945 words + 1 image, estimated 3:47 mins reading time)

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