Thursday, April 28, 2011

NFL Draft 2011: The Green Bay Packers Wish List

The 2011 NFL Draft is going to be exciting for Packer fans. Not because they are picking last. No wait, in a way it is. They are picking last because ....they are the reigning Super Bowl Champions!

I know its a futile exercise to try doing a NFL Mock Draft. The most advances scouts and insiders themselves will be lucky to get maybe eight picks right in the first round. That does not discourage me to give out my wish list as to how the Packers should draft this year.

Some Ground Rules first. I am assuming no draft day trades will be made by the Packers. I know...I know, we can almost guarantee that there will be draft day trades, but I'm just trying to keep this simple. Also, for each of the early round picks (till Round 3), I am going to provide 3 options, in order of priority (highest first, obviously). Also, to state the obvious, sometimes a really good player may slip down to the Packers (like Bulaga in the 2010 draft). I am not going to consider all such possibilities here.

Team Needs

The most glaring needs for the Packers are on the Offensive Line, both at Guard and Tackle. Most likely, they will not need a first year starter, unless there is an injury or the guy they pick is really that good. They also need some depth on the Defensive line. With Cullen Jenkins most likely gone, a serviceable DE will be great. Also, the search for a Clay Mathews clone at OLB will be on.