Tuitt? Seferian-Jenkins? Clinton-Dix? or Nix? Who will the Packers pick?
Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Attempting to project the National Football League Draft is a crapshoot, at best – just ask NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis, and Matt Smith – they all came up with four differing picks for the Green Bay Packers in their most recent mock draft.
Like we did at lombardiave.com last year, we’re kicking off our look at various mocksters and their first round draft picks for the Packers, illustrating the reasoning behind their picks.
So, today we look at Jeremiah, Brooks, Davis and Smith and their four differing first round prognostications for the Packers:
Daniel Jeremiah
With the 21st pick, the Green Bay Packers select Ha Ha Clinton Dix, safety, University of Alabama.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Here’s what Jeremiah says about his selection:
"Clinton-Dix has the versatility to play the high or low safety. He has the physicality to be a box run defender and the athleticism to roam the deep middle. He’s picked off a total of seven passes during the last two seasons. His ability to cover athletic tight ends will be a huge asset at the next level."
Lombardiave: It seems that Clinton-Dix is the sexy selection many are pointing toward, but there are other who feel he will be off the board by the time the Packers make their selection at #21. That might be a good thing because many are saying Clinton-Dix is overrated simply because he comes from one of the best college programs in Alabama. Those who are feeling that Clinton-Dix isn’t the answer are looking at guys like Louisville’s Calvin Pryor or even Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State. I don’t see the Packers taking a cornerback with that first round selection. I’m more inclined to see Packers GM Ted Thompson taking a defensive lineman or even an inside linebacker if they don’t go safety.
Clinton-Dix Film
Bucky Brooks
With the 21st pick, the Green Bay Packers select Louis Nix III, defensive lineman, Notre Dame.
Louis Nix III
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s what Brooks says about his selection:
"A safety could be in play at this pick, but a stout anchor in the middle would alleviate the pressure on the linebackers in the running game."
Lombardiave: With B.J. Raji likely taking the walk in free agency, and Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly questionable in coming back, the Packers will need to replenish their defensive line and the first place to start is through the draft. Nix would be an excellent selection at this point in the draft, though many feel he will be off the board long before the Packers have the chance to select him. In my opinion, if the Packers miss out on Nix III, they may move instead with a safety, but one thing is for certain – the Packers need to bolster their team up the middle and Nix would be a good player with which to start.
Louis Nix III film
Charles Davis
Stephon Tuitt
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
With the 21st pick, the Green Bay Packers select Stephon Tuitt, defensive end, Notre Dame.
Here are Davis’s thoughts on this particular pick:
"Tuitt can play the run and rush the passer."
Lombardiave: Just what the doctor ordered, if indeed Tuitt is the real deal when it comes to stopping the run and putting pressure on the passer. Both of those things are what the Packers need. While they started the season well in stopping the run, the Packers then ran into running backs like Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte. Solid defensive linemen are difficult to find and if Tuitt is the real deal, this is an excellent pick.
Stephon Tuitt film
With the 21st pick, the Green Bay Packers select Austin Seferian-Jenkins, tight end, Washington.
Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s how Smith describes his pick:
"Green Bay always manages to come up with a steal in the draft. In the case of ASJ, Ted Thompson will be called out for “reaching.” By Week 8 the rest of the league will know why Aaron Rodgers has a new best friend."
Lombardiave: First of all, even if Jermichael Finley is on the first flight out of Green Bay in search of a new team come the first week in March, the Packers have more serious holes to fill than tight end. They will need help at defensive line, inside linebacker, and mot importantly, at safety. Heck, I think they might even go after an offensive lineman before they might select a tight end – especially considering Ted Thompson has been known to pick up some fairly good tight ends in later rounds.