ESPN Mock Draft: Packers Select Ronnell Lewis

on every team but the Packers.

The role this OLB would have would be multi-faceted, requiring a player who is intelligent, teachable, and flexible. Flunking out of the “Ivy League of the Big 12” doesn’t give me much hope for Lewis.

And players with questionable backgrounds will only be selected by TT if there is “value” in that slot, to use a tired phrase. If Lewis dropped to the late 2nd, it may get interesting.

Finally, we need an OLB that will be ready from Day 1, not a “project with a high ceiling.” There is a gaping hole there right now. Potential is usually a lovely attribute, but not here.

I think just getting the best defensive player available is the way to go (and I’m sure TT would be the first to say that is more or less his strategy). I’m sure most would say the coverage problems were due to a lack of pass rush, but it’s still hard to ignore the fact Nick Collins was not out there, and who knows if he will be back (or even be the same). What’s the word on Collins, by the way? Also, Charles Woodson is still a beast, but he gets older every year and having a player like him is a huge advantage. There is no one else even close to his skill set on this team. The D-line has its own issues as well, obviously. Depth was a problem, and how long and Pickett and Raji be the workhorses on the line before they just completely break down physically? A pass rusher would be nice, but let’s be realistic – ANY help on defense would be welcome.

I’ll get you for this, Skippy!

In the second round. 1st round is way to rich for him. Not ideal size for a 34 OLB, and while he is a violent hitter, he hasn’t had any consistent production from a pass rushing standpoint.

He could make a good 34 ILB though.

Are you out of your mind?!?! We need, let me put this succinctly, a MONSTER DEFENSIVE END! We don’t need a linebacker to “bracket” Clay Matthews. We need a DE to draw the offensive double-team so that Clay can get to the QB, not have to fight a damn offensive lineman! Maybe 3rd or 4th round, but not first. You get a good DE, he get’s that push, BJ gets the push, you pressure a QB, have a wildman of a LB coming at him, have Woodson coming on the corner blitz, Bob’s your Uncle: Packers 37 everybody else maybe 17. TT had a very simple job last year, keep the team together! He let Jenkins go, and instead of me and 200 Greenville Packer Backers at the Corner Pocket exhorting our team to glory, I’m grilling brats and ribs for a Superbowl party where I’m rooting for commercials and Coors Light, not the team I own. I want the Packers for the next 5 years to be “perennial Superbowl Threats”, not “perennial Playoff contenders” hoping that the stars align and by some stroke of luck we make it back, we had that for 10 years, and it never happened. TT got us in this mess, he better get us out, or so help me God, I will be in the Atrium on July 28th and will issue him an ass chewing a Drill Sergeant would be proud of!!

If I co-opt this thread to talk about the live draft that’s coming up over at MTD.

As some of you who read MTD may know, in 10 days a live mock draft will be run. I have volunteered to be the Packers rep, and as such have compiled a short BPA list to use for the mock draft. In order to get some feedback, I’m going to post a truncated version here. If you have any players you like or don’t like, that are listed or not listed, and/or if you have any thoughts about the later rounds let me know!

For the most part, my draft strategy is going to revolve around staying still and picking the best player. However, if a great prospect starts to fall (like Brockers), I’m going to try and trade up for him. Conversely, if no-one that great is available at 28, I’m gonna try and trade back into the top half of round 2 and target Curry as our top pick in round 2. I should note that I expect Collins will be cleared to return to football for next season. Also, Finley and Wells will be resigned with Grant not being resigned.

Round 1:
• Michael Brockers – DT/DE – LSU
• Melvin Ingram – DE/OLB – Southern Carolina
• Devon Still – DT/DE – Penn State
• Nick Perry – DE/OLB – Southern Cal
• Courtney Upsahw – OLB – Alabama
• Andre Branch – DE/OLB – Clemson
• Fletcher Cox – DT/DE – Mississippi State

Round 2:
• Vinny Curry – DE/OLB – Marshall
• Lamar Miller – RB – Miami
• Chase Minnifield – DB – Virginia
• Jared Crick – DE – Nebraska
• Kendall Reyes – DT/DE – Connecticut
• Stephon Gilmore – DB – South Carolina
• Ben Jones – C – Georgia
• David Wilson – RB – Virginia Tech

Round 3:
• Derek Wolfe – DT/DE – Cincinnati
• Michael Brewster – C – Ohio State
• Cam Johnson – DE/OLB – Virginia
• Trumaine Johnson – DB – Montana
• Isaiah Pead – RB – Cincinnati
• Shea McClellin – OLB – Boise State
• Marcus Forston – DT/DE – Miami

i don’t see TT taking Cox because he is more of a run stuffer than a pass rusher, and we have run stuffers on the dl. looking at his stats, he had 3 tfl for every 1 sack, while Crick, projected to be picked later had less than 2 tfl per 1 sack. Crick looks more like a pass rusher than Cox, which is what we need.