Packer's 2012 Draft Analysis

      A different Ted Thompson showed up to the 2012 NFL Draft; an evil twin, perhaps. Thompson used the Packers 12 draft picks to trade up not once, not twice, but three times. Before this draft, Thompson had only made three total trades to move up in the draft. On the uncharacteristic moves, Thompson joked, “I'm not my father's son anymore. It's pathetic.”

      With the moves, the packers began the draft selecting six consecutive defenders. It wasn't until their final two picks, late in the seventh round, that the Pack snagged some offense. Thompson and his coaches alike reiterated that they weren't trying to fix a poor defense, but were drafting the best available.

      Well, this is supposed to be a draft analysis, not a draft recap, so let's get to it. For what “grades” are really worth, I've added mine. Don't read so much into the grades, I suppose...

      The Packers watched from pick 28 as USC defensive end Nick Perry fell into their hands. Perry is described as “very athletic” by most scouting reports on the web. 6'2”, 271 lbs., Perry will play OLB for the Packers, opposite fellow Trojan Clay Matthews. Perry is criticized for inconsistent play and skeptics point out that he has never played to potential. I'm concerned that he is more of a 4-3 guy than a 3-4. The Packers passed on 3-4 LB prospect Courtney Upshaw when they chose Perry.

A lot of talent – no doubt – but a lot of question marks as well. If we're giving out letter grades here, the Packers get a B.

      Thompson made two of his three trades in the second round. First, he moved up to 19^th to select Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy. Worthy was predicted by most mock drafts to be a first round talent. He's a big guy (6'2”, 308 lbs) that the Packers can rely on to anchor the run. Worthy can also help generate a greater pass rush, the Packers primary need coming into the draft. Coach Trgovac mentioned that Worthy had a little bit of “wiggle.”

First round talent, great value. Worthy will help the Pack in a variety of areas. A+.

      Another second round trade found Vandy CB Casey Hayward a home in Green Bay. Hayward can make an immediate impact on the Packers defense. Whether that is as a nickel corner or a starter that moved Woodson to safety is dependent on his camp. Packers cornerback coach Joe Witt, Jr. described Hayward as a smart player with the necessary intangibles to play at a high level.

Another top-of-the-draft talent added to the defense. The secondary needs addressing, and the Packers think Hayward may solve issues at two positions. A.

      The Packers waited until the end of the fourth round to select back-to-back picks. At 132^nd overall, the d-line added another run stopper: Iowa DT Mike Daniels. Daniels is a bit smaller than Worthy (6'0”, 291 lbs.), and relies on his hustle to make up for it. Daniels will probably be a situational guy for the Pack, at least for this year.

Another pick that helps address a need. Can fill a role immediately. B+.

      With the very next pick, 133^rd overall, the Packers kept with the defensive theme, selecting Maine S Jerron McMillian. McMillian dominated at the combine, posting the best 40 time and verticle (Packer Report). He's an aggressive tackler that will help a secondary that struggled in that area last year. He's also versatile, able to play both free and strong safety. The Packers need to find some safeties after letting go of Nick Collins last week. Peprah and Burnett are the only two currently on the roster. Skeptics worry about his size. At only 5'11”, McMillian is undersized for an NFL safety.

Undersized, but may be athletic enough to compensate. Interested in seeing how he competes against top competition. B+.

      Thompson's final trade came in the fifth round. The Packers moved up to select South Carolina OLB Terrell Manning. Manning was a top ranked LB, but fell in the draft because of surgery on both knees. Manning, a big Linebacker at 6'2', 237 lbs, will play ILB for the Packers. Manning was a second or third round talent, a steal for the Packers in round five. Thompson wants manning to arrive in Green Bay with a “starting mentality.”

Terrell Manning is an absolute steal in the fifth round if he stays healthy. A+.

      Offensive needs were finally addressed in the seventh round with the selection of FSU OT Andrew Datko. Datko played only four games in 2011 because of a shoulder injury, one of many injuries that has plagued his career. However, with a dwindled depth chart at tackle, he has a chance to make the team. Recent draft picks Bryan Bulaga, Marshall Newhouse (2010), and Derrick Sherrod (2011) are among competitors for the position.

Datko is injury prone, but the Packers don't need him to be a major contributor this year. With a chance to make the team, he's a solid seventh round pick. B.

      B.J. Coleman was the Pack's final pick. Like Datko, Coleman is a recovering, offensive player. Coleman missed five games in 2011 due to a shoulder injury. McCarthy and the Packers seem to be confident that Graham Harrell can successfully fill the backup role – left vacant by Matt Flynn – so Coleman will presumably fight for the third string spot. At 6'4”, he is a tall QB with adequate strength to play at the next level. However, scouts have point out his poor footwork and fundamentals. If developed, Coleman has a chance to be a solid backup guy, and the Packers have done a pretty good job with the last few guys that have worked with them.

Coleman is raw, but has the natural talent to play in the NFL. He has a long way to go, but a lot of time to do it as a third string QB. B+.

My overall grade: A

The Packers addressed their needs for a pass rush, run stopper, and depth at QB and O-line. They elected not to pick a RB, which gives Ryan Grant an opportunity to prove his stuff in the next year. Many of these guys can make an impact on the team immediately and for the foreseeable future. Thompson's uncharacteristic trade-up's seem to have paid off, but we won't really know until we start seeing these guys in action. From the looks of it now, I'd say it was a successful draft.

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The following is a list taken from Tom Silverstein via JSOnline.com

“Here are some of the undrafted free agents that have apparently signed with the Packers.

Many of these names are from players or agents of players who have Tweeted about signing with the Packers. Some have been confirmed by agents and others are from news reports. Nothing is official until their name is signed on the bottom line, so some of these names could disappear.

Also, some may wind up being tryouts and not actual signings.

• Jaymes Brooks, OT, Virginia Tech
• Dale Moss, WR, South Dakota St.
• Don Barclay, OT, West Virginia
• Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt
• Nic Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem St.
• Dezman Moses, DE, Tulane.
• Dion Turner, CB, Southern Utah
• Mark Tyler, RB, USC
• Drew Vanderlin, DE, Michigan Tech
• Eric Lair, TE, Minnesota
• Tommie Draheim, OL, San Diego State
• Duane Bennett, RB, Minnesota
• Cameron Ford, TE, Wake Forest
• Marcus Rivers, WR, Buffalo

Here are a couple of guys who have been invited for tryouts:

• LB, ElToro Freeman, Auburn
• LB Luke Lambert, Missouri
• DL Grant Cook, Arkansas
• OT Tyler Butzler, Wisconsin-Stout
• K Dave Nadeau, Minnesota-Duluth
• LS Casey Casper, Wisconsin-Whitewater
• OT Andrew Lambert, Indiana
• Jaymar Latchison, DE, New Mexico”

Stats from packers.com and espn.com

Player list from jsonline.com