Packers Draft Pick History: Jason Spitz was a key contributor found at #75 overall

The Green Bay Packers hold ten draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and for a team that has a storied, 100-year history, they have predictably made selections in the past at every one of these draft slots. Over the next few days leading up to this year’s draft, Acme Packing Company will examine the Packers’ history at each current slot for 2019, as well as run down the names of recent picks around the league at the position.

This year, the Packers’ third-round draft pick slots in at the 75th overall position. The Packers have picked 75th four times in the team’s history, but only one made any significant contributions to the franchise. Two picks never played in the league, while the fourth player ended up as a multi-year starter for another franchise.

Meanwhile, there have been a few notable picks by other NFL teams at 75 in recent years. One is a franchise left tackle, as the Saints nabbed Terron Armstead in 2013, but that came a year after Seattle drafted Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson at that pick.

Packers History at #75

1954: Sam Marshall, OT

1958: Doug Maison, RB

Neither of the first two picks at 75 overall in team history ever played a game in the NFL. In the 1950s, the 75th pick came in the seventh round of the draft, so this should not come as a huge surprise.

1990: Bobby Houston, LB

The first of the Packers’ picks at 75 who actually played a down in the NFL was Houston, from North Carolina State. However, he only played one game for the Packers as a rookie. He ended up with the Atlanta Falcons later that year, then left for the New York Jets as a Plan B free agent in the spring of 1991.

Once with the Jets, Houston found his game. After playing 14 games as a backup in 1991, Houston became a starter in 1992, holding on to a job in the starting lineup for five seasons through 1996. He posted 14.5 sacks with the Jets, adding six forced fumbles and four interceptions. His career gradually faded out, playing for three teams over two final seasons.

2006: Jason Spitz, OL

Finally, the Packers landed a contributor at 75 in 2006, Ted Thompson’s second draft as general manager. Over five seasons, Spitz started at every position on the interior of the offensive line, but he lost his grip on a starting position after suffering an injury during the 2009 campaign.

Spitz was the Packers’ key backup interior lineman on the 2010 Super Bowl XLV team — he suited up for every game that season, but did not start, as the team got full seasons from left guard Daryn Colledge, center Scott Wells, and right guard Josh Sitton.

Recent History at #75

• 2018: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State (Chiefs)
• 2017: Duke Riley, LB, LSU (Falcons)
• 2016: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (Raiders)
• 2015: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State (Saints)
• 2014: Tre Mason, RB, Auburn (Rams)
• 2013: Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Saints)
• 2012: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin (Seahawks)
• 2011: John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin (Seahawks)