NFL Draft Special

As the international community celebrates draft week in NFL circles, it’s time we throw our two cents in! And since we are obviously future front office material destined to lead a franchise to the promised land, why not use our expertise on our favorite franchises to love and hate. Alex and I will give our take on what our favorite NFL team SHOULD do. I’ll take the beloved Green Bay Packers, and Alex will handle the lowly Dallas Cowboys. (Alex's note: Alex might have had too much work to do to finish his Cowboys preview.) I’m gonna cover the Pack’s needs, who they should take if available, and my best trade up/down scenario. Here we go…

Green Bay Packers

Draft Choices [Pick-in-Round(Overall Pick)]:

1^st: #23(23); 2^nd: #24(56); 3^rd: #22(86); 4^th: #24(122); 5^th: # 23(154), #38(169); 6^th: #24(193); 7^th: #23(230)

Needs: OLB, CB, OT, S, RB

The Packers have signed the most important free agents for 2010 – namely, their veteran offensive linemen and defensive backs. However, both of those position groups are aging and aging quickly. A CB and OT of the future is a must for this year’s draft. The good news is that OT can probably be a project for a year or two before Chad Clifton rides off into the sunset. A pass-rushing OLB to compliment Clay Matthews from day one should be priority number in the first round.

Draft Picks:

I’ll only focus on the first three rounds, since there’s really no telling what could happen after that.

Round 1: Pick #23 – Sergio Kindle – OLB – University of Texas

The fact that Kindle has steadily slid down draft boards into the early 20’s is nothing but a blessing to teams like the Packers, Patriots, and Eagles. If the Patriots trade down (as I suspect) or fill another need, Kindle should be the no-doubt, sure-fire, don’t-even-think twice move. He has all the tools to rush from anywhere in the Pack’s newly minted 3-4 scheme. He can even handle the coverage necessary of Dom Capers’ OLB. Also, pairing Kindle and Matthews for a decade should be a dream come true for any coordinator. If Kindle isn’t available, Ted Thompson should select…

Kyle Wilson – CB – Boise State

Wilson is the perfect fit for several Packer needs. He can be the physical corner needed on the field from the start, or he can play in nickel and dime situations covering slot receivers, and he will certainly add a much needed punch to the Packers return game. If Kindle is off the board, the Packers can get just as much of an impact rookie with Wilson.

Round 2: Pick #24 – Ben Tate – RB University of Auburn

Ryan Grant has the speed and vision to compliment Aaron Rodgers passing skill, but Tate can a goal line bruiser and late game finisher that Packers’ offense have lacked for quite some time now. He’s a no-nonsense, between the tackles back… just what the doctor ordered.

Round 3: Pick #22 – Myron Lewis – CB – Vanderbilt University

Assuming the Packers land Sergio Kindle in round one, Lewis can easily man a nickel and returner spot while being groomed to replace Charles Woodson in the years to come. A tall, athletic corner, Lewis has displaced exceptional durability by starting in 25 consecutive games in the rugged SEC. He’s also an Academic All-American with exceptional leadership qualities. If things break right, he could be the leader and talent to solidify an aging defensive backfield.

Trade Scenario: Trade Down!

It’s tough to fill so many needs with only one pick per round. If Sergio Kindle isn’t available at #23, the Pack should trade their first round pick and scoop up an extra pick in rounds two and three. For example, Green Bay could move down with Tampa Bay and collect their second (#35) and third (#67) round picks. Thompson may have to throw in a fifth or sixth round pick to make the deal work, but it would be well worth it. In that scenario, the Pack could easily land a three round that looks something like this…

Second Round:

#3(35) – Roger Saffold – OT -- Indiana

#24(56) – Patrick Robinson – CB -- FSU

Third Round:

#3(67) – Ricky Sapp – OLB -- Clemson

#22(86) – Toby Gerhart – RB – Stanford