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Ted Thompson covets his draft picks. Who might he target in a trade-down?

Packers general manager Ted Thompson covets his draft picks like nothing else. He often trades down, gets the player he’s targeting and adds late-round picks in the process.

And at first glance, this draft appears tailor-made for Thompson.

The Packers hold the 26th overall pick in this year’s draft, and the team will certainly have plenty of options at that point. Perhaps Thompson would consider moving up if a player falls to a certain point in the draft, but in my opinion, moving down is a much more likely scenario.

There are a few scenarios in which I think the Packers would be wise to stay at No. 26 and make their pick. In the unlikely event that Kenny Vaccaro or Jonathan Cyprien fall to the Packers, either player would be a great pick. If Datone Jones is available at 26, he would also be an option.

But this year’s draft lacks star power at the top, and rounds two and three figure to be loaded with NFL-ready talent, especially at some of the Packers’ positions of need. Let’s take a look at five potential targets if the Packers trade out of their first-round pick.

#1) DE Margus Hunt – Southern Methodist

The Packers have a handful of guys on the defensive line that are effective in one specific area. Mike Neal is a solid pass rusher in the nickel, C.J. Wilson and Ryan Pickett are stout against the run, while B.J. Raji is probably the Packers’ best all-around defensive lineman.  Read more... (1357 words + 1 image, estimated 5:26 mins reading time)

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Texas A&M RB Christine Michael

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Christine Michael

Player Information:

Christine Michael, RB Texas A&M
5-10, 220 pounds
Hometown: Beaumont, TX

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.54
10-yard split: 1.51
225-pound bench: 27 reps
Vertical: 43″

News and Notes:

Talented player with some character concerns and medical issues … Never eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season at A&M … Led the team in rushing as a freshman … Best season came in 2011 when he racked up 899 yards on the ground and averaged six yards per carry … Averaged at least 4.7 yards per carry all four years … Suffered a torn ACL in Nov. 2011 … Suffered a broken leg Nov. 2010 … Was in A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin’s doghouse as a senior … Performed very well at the NFL Scouting Combine but overslept and missed two team interviews … 2009 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year … 2009 Walter Payton Trophy winner, given to the most athletic high school football player in the country.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (664 words + 1 image, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: ”He’s quick to the hole, shows excellent vision for the cutback, possesses good acceleration and enough lateral agility to elude defenders. Sees would-be tacklers coming and breaks a lot of tackles with a nice spin move, as well as a strong stiff-arm. No stranger to the weight room, Michael runs low to the ground with good pad level and lateral agility to make strong cuts.”

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Michigan State RB Le’Veon Bell

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Le’Veon Bell

Player Information:

Le’Veon Bell, RB Michigan State
6-1, 230 pounds
Hometown: Reynoldsburg, OH

STATS

NFL Combine:

40-yard dash: 4.56
225-pound bench: 24 reps
Vertical: 31.5″
3-cone drill: 6.75
20-yard shuttle: 4.24

News and Notes:

Bell declared for the 2013 NFL Draft following his junior season at MSU … Big, tough runner ran for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, along with catching 32 passes on the season … Bell shared the load in 2011, racking up 948 yards and 13 touchdowns and catching 35 passes … Never averaged fewer than 4.7 yards in three years with the Spartans … NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks ranks Bell as the No. 1 running back in the class … Could go as high as the early second-round or fall to the end of the third.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (681 words + 1 image, estimated 2:43 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: “Strong-build and well proportioned with thick hips. Very good balance and stays low to the ground through contact. More of a downhill athlete who picks up speed as he goes. Stays light on his feet and has some deception to his game, slipping through cracks at the line of scrimmage. Tough runner to bring down cleanly, often carrying defenders. Good forward lean and pop to deliver blows at the point of attack. Not afraid to leave his feet to leap over defenders. Active receiver with good awareness in pass pro to pick up blitzes. Led Big Ten in rushing in 2012 (1,793 yards) with three 200-yard performances.”

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South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Marcus Lattimore

Player Information:

Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina
5-11, 221 pounds
Hometown: Duncan, SC

STATS

NFL Combine:

Lattimore did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. (Injured)

News and Notes:

Lattimore enters the NFL Draft as a junior … In 2012, his season ended Oct. 27 when he blew out his knee against Tennessee; he tore three of the four ligaments in his right knee … As a sophomore in 2011, Lattimore suffered a torn left ACL against Mississippi State … If healthy, most believe Lattimore would be the No. 1 running back in this draft class … Lattimore exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2010, racking up 1,197 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in the SEC … Has value as a receiver, catching a total of 74 passes in 29 games at South Carolina … He’s a first-round talent that will likely be a late third-round or early fourth-round pick based on health concerns.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (663 words + 1 image, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: ”Very good at keeping defenders off balance, showing excellent acceleration, anticipation and footwork. Natural balance and feel between the tackles with good vision and patience to follow his blocks. Reliable receiving target, adjusting well to the ball with good focus. Never goes down easy and rarely goes out of bounds, running with toughness and confidence. Good effort in pass protection and not shy about giving up his body.”

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Packers RB DuJuan Harris will surely be back with the Pack in 2013.

As far as personnel, the Packers underwent more changes at running back than any other position. James Starks was the starter through training camp before the team signed Cedric Benson after the first preseason game. Injuries added up, allowing DuJuan Harris–a former used car salesman–to take over as the team’s feature back.

Where are we now:

Here are the current suspects;

DuJuan Harris (UDFA, Signed as FA in 2012)
Alex Green (3rd round, 2011)
James Starks (6th round, 2010)
Brandon Saine (UDFA, 2011)
John Kuhn (UDFA, Signed as FA in 2007)

Listen to expanded coverage of this topic using the player below or download the podcast from the Packers Talk Radio Network on Itunes.

Harris: For the 2012 Packers, DuJuan Harris (5-9 208) was a huge blessing in a small package. After starter Cedric Benson was lost for the season with a Lisfranc injury, and reserves Alex Green and James Starks both battled injuries of their own, the team turned to Harris to be the lead back. Harris played in a total of six games last season and recorded a team-high four rushing touchdowns.

Green: After Cedric Benson was lost for the season while James Starks was already out of the lineup, Alex Green was the next man up. Green broke off a season-long run of 41 yards later in the game Benson got hurt but never grabbed hold of the starting job. For the season, Green averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.  Read more... (1284 words + 1 image, estimated 5:08 mins reading time)

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Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: RB Rex Burkhead

Player Information:

Rex Burkhead, RB Nebraska
5-10, 214 pounds
Hometown: Plano, TX

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 yard: 4.73

Bench: 21

Vert: 39″

Broad: 125″

3 cone: 6.85

20 yard shuttle: 4.09

60 yard shuttle: 11.51

News and Notes:

A lot of times draftniks and media types alike try to fit round pegs into square holes: one common example is calling for the Packers to draft a offensive tackle this year, only they have forgotten that Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod were both 1st round picks and drafting a 3rd OT in 4 years is getting close to Matt Millen levels of insanity.  Other examples include cornerback and inside linebacker, two positions where the Packers have the most depth.  Really, people should think of it the other way around; there are only a few exceptional players every year that are talented enough to change how a team operates (think RGIII or Russell Wilson), most other players have to learn to play in the system already set in place.  So really the question you have to ask is, what player fits best into the system that the Packers have in place?  One of those players I believe is Rex Burkhead.

 What they’re saying about him:   Read more... (966 words + 1 image, estimated 3:52 mins reading time)

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“Almost” Packers RB Steven Jackson

When free agency kicked off on Tuesday, Pro Football Talk suggested the Packers were the early favorite to sign running back Steven Jackson. Later, Bill Huber of Packer Report tweeted that Jackson will “likely” sign with Green Bay.

So much for speculation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Czar of inside NFL information, has just reported that Jackson has declined the Packers’ offer and signed a 3-year deal with the Falcons.

Jackson, 29, has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark every season since taking over as the starter in 2005. But with a great deal of production comes a lot of tread on the tires; Jackson has carried the ball 2,395 times in his nine-year NFL career.

Along with the Packers, the Falcons, Bengals, Lions and Steelers showed interest in signing the veteran running back. When Sports Illustrated NFL writer Peter King told Jackson that he should sign with Green Bay, Jackson responded, “It makes a lot of sense.”

Jackson would have been a short-term fix for the Packers at running back, considering he will turn 30 before the season. Green Bay signed Cedric Benson, then 29, last offseason to shoulder the load in the ground game.  Barring other developments, Benson will surely be back.

Jackson is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, making the team in 2006, 2009 and 2010. He was the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, which is exactly where the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers one year later. And now he’s a Falcon.  Read more... (304 words + 1 image, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)

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