With the 60th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Green Bay Packers have selected Michigan QB Chad Henne.
Earlier I determined that the top needs for the Packers in this draft were 1.Quarterback, 2.Cornerback, 3.Tight End, and 4.Offensive Guard. I drafted an offensive lineman, USC OL Sam Baker in the 1st round, and Purdue TE Dustin Keller with my first selection in the 2nd round. Unfortunately I don't think any of the remaining cornerbacks are worth 2nd round selection. I like USC CB Terrell Thomas and UConn CB Tyvon Branch, but both players are a reach here. I was going to select Arkansas State S Tyrell Johnson, but the more I read about him, the more I'm convinced he's almost the same player as current Packers' backup S Aaron Rouse, so he really doesn't fill a need.
That leaves the quarterback position and Michigan QB Chad Henne is the best available. It seems like a lot of people are down on Henne after Michigan's disappointing 2007 season. But there is an awful lot to like about him, and he should be a good pro. I've read multiple authors compare him to QB Carson Palmer. Plus, at this point, he's an excellent value since he could go as high as the mid-1st round.
The Packers need at quarterback goes beyond the retirement of QB Brett Favre. There is nothing wrong with QB Aaron Rodgers and he should be good in 2008, but the man is injury prone. He was knocked out for the season in each of the last two years with a broken foot and a bad hamstring, and it isn't like he was getting on the field much to put himself in harm's way either. Henne battled through injuries in his senior season, but he was very durable prior to that year and he did come back to play in their bowl game.
Also, there is no one behind QB Aaron Rodgers on the depth chart. The Packers brought a few free agent quarterbacks in for a visit, but none of them were signed, and the remaining veterans available are not an inspiring bunch. Currently the Packers have a couple QBs signed on futures contracts, but that's an even lower status than practice squad, and they were probably signed only to run the 3rd and 4th teams in training camp. Free agent QB Craig Nall will probably be resigned after the draft to provide some veteran depth, but he would only be viewed as a third QB. Whoever the Packers draft is likely to step immediately into the backup QB role, and if/when Rodgers is injured will be asked to start as a rookie. As much promise as players like San Diego's QB Josh Johnson, or San Diego State's QB Kevin O'Connell, show, the Packers need to draft someone like Henne who has a lot of experience in a major conference so he can be ready sooner than later.
Another concern might be that drafting a quarterback in the 1st or 2nd round is putting extra pressure on Rodgers. He's got it bad enough taking over for a Hall of Fame quarterback that a high draft choice is the least of his worries. Plus there has already been a lot of speculation in the press that the Packers will certainly draft a quarterback, and GM Ted Thompson said it would be no slight on Rodgers if he drafts a quarterback early. They have to add at least one quarterback in this draft no matter if it puts extra pressure on Rodgers.