6 Days Until The Draft Begins
The Packers are soon to be picking in the 2nd round of the SB Nation Mock Draft hosted over at Mocking The Draft.com. The Packers have two picks almost back-to-back with the 56th and 60th overall, and this could be the key part of their draft. GM Ted Thompson has shown some specific tendencies in the 1st round, but by the 2nd round he opens it up a bit. Here are the team's top priorities:
1.Quarterback
2.Cornerback
3.Tight End
4.Offensive Guard
I filled the need at offensive guard when I took USC's OL Sam Baker in the 1st round. Here are arguably the top remaining players in the SB Nation Mock Draft available at those three positions with analysis from Rivals.com:
Michigan QB Chad Henne
Henne might seem overrated, but he was durable until his senior season and if he were perfect then he would have been a top 5 pick. He started from the moment he put on a Michigan uniform, he's got a strong arm, and great accuracy on his deep passes. The Packers don't need Henne specifically, but they need someone to provide depth behind QB Aaron Rodgers and at least Henne has had a lot of college experience.
Thomas is a reach late in the 2nd round, but he will certainly be gone by the time the Packers draft in the 3rd round. He's got good speed and you can't teach a cornerback to be 6'2" tall. His height will be an asset if he can learn better technique, and will help make up for any lack of speed or mistakes in coverage.
Carlson seems the least likely since GM Ted Thompson has never drafted a tight end higher than the 7th round in the past three seasons. Although TE Donald Lee had a breakout 2007 season as a receiver, he used to be considered only as a blocking tight end, so drafting a true receiving tight end might be a good thing. Carlson might be the best receiving tight end in the draft.