Penn State's defensive end is Still available after round one
Ted Thompson has to select both an outside linebacker and a defensive end early in this draft. One down and one to go. First round pick Nick Perry will be an instant upgrade opposite Clay Matthews, but the Packers are still woefully lacking talent on the defensive line. Fortunately, there are a number of quality players still available at that position. Among them are Clemson’s Brandon Thompson, Penn State’s Devon Still, Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy and Connecticut’s Kendall Reyes. The chances of any of the four getting to 59 are slim, so Thompson may have to trade up to get one. With 11 picks still left in his pocket, he certainly has the ammunition to do just that. Will he? Well, that’s why so many of us will be glued to our televisions on a Friday night.
If Thompson chooses not to draft an end in round two, he’s likely to turn his attention to either the offensive line or the secondary. Depth is shaky at center and guard. Evan Dietrich-Smith did an adequate job filling in last season, but the jury’s still out on his longterm viability. Young Ray Dominguez has some talent, but he wasn’t near ready to play as a rookie and he might still be a year away. In the secondary, the Packers have no clear-cut fourth cornerback or starting safety opposite Morgan Burnett. Some of the top interior linemen still available are Wisconsin’s Peter Konz, Midwestern States’s Amini Silatolu, Miami of Ohio’s Brandon Brooks and Georgia’s Cordy Glenn. The best defensive backs left are Montana’s Trumaine Johnson, Oklahoma State’s Markelle Martin, LSU’s Brandon Taylor, North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins and Central Florida’s Josh Robinson.
Or, Ted can sit and take DE Derek Wolfe, who will be a better player than either Still or Worthy—guys who only play when they feel like it. Thompson doesn’t fit the scheme and will not help w/pass rush. That leaves Reyes who will be long-gone before GB picks.
DEFENSE!
Jerel “Off Sides” Worthy wears #99 now for the Green n’ Gold. He was my R1 pick for the Pack in the Packer Chatters Draft Contest!
Now Teddy, find a way to add another defensive stalwart – do what it takes to get Josh Robinson!!!
Well, Teddy obviously preferred Casey Heyward to Josh Robinson but he traded back into the end of R2 to take the super intelligent Heyward. Most online services had Heyward rated as a lower R3 pick. The Packers disagreed and weren’t willing to find out. Heyward can play safety but Capers says he will play CB for GB.
We got our defensive hat trick. Well done TT! With no R3 pick, it’s an early end to the night for TT. 7 more picks to come on day 3.
Today’s 2 R4 picks could be useful:
A Dozen Possible Targets:
OFFENSE:
RB – Chris Polk
WR – Marvin Jones
C – Phil Blake or Ben Jones
DEFENSE:
DE – Jared Crick or Billy Winn
NT – Josh Chapman
DE/OLB – Ronnell Lewis or Josh Kudder
S – Antonio Allen or Markelle Martin
CB – Chase Minnifield
Many of these players were mocked as high as R2 picks over the last few months.
Let’s see if TT can find a gem or two on DAY3…..
Some interesting names on that list. Blake, Jones, Crick and Winn would be intriguing possibilities if they’re still there at the end of round 4. Or maybe Ted will uncover a guy like Josh Sitton, who almost none of the “experts” heard of prior to his being drafted.