Packers first round draft pick Nick Perry chases another 2012 draft pick, Russell Wilson, who was selected from the University of Wisconsin. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

2012 marked Ted Thompson’s eighth draft with the Green Bay Packers. And at this point it looks to be very reminiscent of the 2010 draft. A year in which Thompson and the Packers didn’t necessarily select any individual stars, but did bring on board a number of guys who can play valuable downs for the team.

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With their first round pick and 28^th overall the Packers took a collegiate defensive end from USC, Nick Perry. The Packers drafted Perry, who at 6’3” and 265 pounds, was a little undersized to play defensive end, but they believe he can fill the void at outside linebacker in their 3-4 defensive scheme opposite Clay Matthews III. In 2012 the Packers gave Perry a chance to start right from the onset of training camp.

Unfortunately for Perry and the Packers, 2012 was an injury-riddled season for the rookie outside linebacker. Perry injured his wrist in the opening game of the season versus the 49ers. He continued to play with a brace. He then injured his knee in the Oct. 14 game against the Houston Texans. While out with the injured knee he got a second opinion on his injured wrist and it was determined it was in his best interest to have surgery. Perry finished the season with 18 tackles and 2 sacks.

Provided Perry can stay healthy the Packers should get a better understanding of Perry’s ability to counterbalance the pass rush opposite fellow USC alum Matthews. Perry did show some promise in 2012, but there are inklings that he is not a high effort guy. Packers fans hope that 2013 is a breakout season for Perry.

In the second round the Packers had two selections. Thompson traded the number 54 selection and the number 123 pick for pick 51 in the draft. With the fifty-first selection they took a defensive end from Michigan State – Jerel Worthy. Many experts thought Worthy would go in the first round, it was apparent that Thompson thought Worthy was a steal at the 51 spot and worked his magic to trade up for the defensive lineman.

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Worthy finished the 2012 season with 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He played well in spurts as a rotational player in the Packers defense. Like most rookies he improved over the course of the season. In the last game of the year against the Minnesota Vikings Worthy tore his ACL. He will be challenged to begin the 2013 season on the active roster.

The second selection in the second round proved to be the best selection by the Packers in the 2012 draft. With this pick the Packer brought on board a cornerback from Vanderbilt, Casey Hayward. With veteran Charles Woodson’s 2012 collar bone injury Hayward was a welcomed addition to the Packers’ secondary. Hayward recorded 53 tackles and six interceptions. In October 2012, he was named rookie of the month.

Most impressive was opposing quarterbacks had a 31.1 passer rating against him. Much is expected of Hayward in 2013.

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The Packers did not have any selections in the third round, but they had two picks in the fourth. With the first of those two picks they selected an undersized defensive lineman who made up for his lack of stature with desire and the proverbial motor - Mike Daniels from Iowa. Daniel’s biggest contribution of the year came on Dec. 9, against the Lions when he recovered a Matthew Stafford fumble and ran it in for a touchdown.

With the second selection in the fourth round the Packers selected a hard-hitting safety from Maine – Jerron McMillan. The Packers trusted the rookie enough to play him in nickel and dime packages in 2012. The 2013 draft will hint at the faith the Packers have that McMillan will blossom into a contributing player for their defense. If they draft a safety relatively high, it can be assumed they are not overly impressed with the young safety from Maine.

In the fifth round, Ted Thompson traded up to select Terrell Manning, an inside linebacker from North Carolina State. The fact that Thompson traded a sixth and seventh round pick to select Manning gives some indication that they expect a lot from him. However, Manning’s rookie season got off on the wrong foot and 2013 should be a better representation of his ability. Manning dealt with an unknown stomach virus in training camp that caused him to lose 15 pound while battling to make the team. He eventually discovered that it was a parasite that caused colitis, which leads to a swelling of the large intestine and constant diarrhea.

For the third time in the 2012 draft the Packers had multiple picks in a given round. The seventh round brought the Packers an offensive tackle from Florida State, Andrew Datko, and a quarterback from Tennessee-Chattanooga, B.J. Coleman.

Datko is an interesting case. He was highly regarded offensive tackle in college, but shoulder injuries knocked him out of his senior season at Florida State. This caused his draft stock to fall and slowed his progress with the Packers. He was released by Green Bay during final cuts and signed to their practice squad. If healthy, Datko could have the potential to be a 2012 draft surprise.

Coleman also landed on the practice squad in 2012. He is a bit of a project, but said to have a big arm. With a full off season it is possible that Coleman could challenge incumbent Graham Harrell for the backup quarterback spot.

Of the Packers’ first eight selections five of them played a significant amount of time for the Packers in 2012. Year two is often when guys make the biggest strides in their development. It will be interesting to see who from the 2012 class rises to the top. Certainly the Packers hope Nick Perry becomes an impact player in the coming season. Casey Hayward will most certainly challenge for a starting role in 2013.

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The 2011 Green Bay Packers draft class is peculiar one. Of the 10 players chosen, only one, Randall Cobb, has really made an impact. Other than Cobb, for the six players remaining from this draft, the 2013 off season and training camp is going to be an important time for these guys. For many of them have the potential to play good football for the Packers.  The question is in 2013 is will they take off or flame out?

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The Packers first round selection, the 32nd overall, offensive tackle Derek Sherrod, is the most intriguing prospect of this class. Sherrod, if you recall, suffered a gruesome leg fracture against the Chiefs in December of 2011, when Tamba Hali rolled into him in the fourth quarter of the game. Sherrod at that point in the season was just starting to get a feel for the NFL.

It was hoped that the 2012 offseason would give Sherrod the edge at the left tackle position needed to challenge for the starting spot against Marshall Newhouse. Those dreams were dashed, as Sherrod was forced to sit out the entire 2012 season rehabbing his leg. The Packers are hopeful Sherrod can return in 2013 and compete this season for a spot on the offensive line.

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In the second round the Packers selected a player that has quickly become a go to guy on offense. A versatile wide receiver from Kentucky, named Randall Cobb. The 2012 season was a break out year for Cobb, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers targeted him 104 times and connected 80 of those times for 954 yards and 8 touchdowns. Cobb lines up all over the field in the Packer offense and is also an effective return man. Although in 2013 it is likely Cobb’s return duties will dissipate, as his real value in on offense.

With their third round pick the Packer chose a running back from Hawaii, Alex Green. His rookie season was shortened after suffering an ACL injury early in the year. In 2012, his first full season, Green rushed for 464 yards averaging 3.4 yards per carry and no touchdowns. I don’t think the Packers have thrown in the towel on Green just yet, but 2012 certainly was underwhelming. Green will need to fight and scrap during the 2013 offseason to secure a place on this coming year’s roster.

Jim O

Ted Thompson selected a big corner back from New Mexico, Davon House, with their fourth round pick. The Packers like House, but he has had some difficulty staying healthy. 2011 he was hampered by ankle and hamstring injuries and in 2012 he suffered a shoulder injury that limited him to nine games. He did, however, show some flashes of the big physical corner that Packers thought they drafted. The highlight of his career thus far was in week 8 of 2012 when he blocked a punt against the Jacksonville Jaguars and teammate Dezman Moses returned it for a touchdown to secure the Packers 24-15 victory. As a result House was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

With a pick obtained from San Francisco via Denver the Packers selected D.J. Williams in the fifth round. A 6-2, 245-pound tight end from Arkansas some thought had the athletic ability to challenge Jermichael Finley for the tight end position. Thus far this has not been the case. Williams has collected just nine catches for 70 yards in the past two seasons. 2013 is almost sure to be a make or break season for Williams.

In the sixth round Ted Thompson had amassed three selections. Of those three, only D.J. Smith has stuck. With linebacker Desmond Bishop going down in the first preseason game of the 2012 season, Smith was almost assured a starting job. He ultimately won the starting inside linebacker position, but he too was injured.  In week six at the Houston Texans, he tore an ACL and reportedly more. Prior to the injury, Smith had 2 sacks and 39 tackles. If he can recover in time for training camp, which has been rumored to be doubtful, he will compete for playing time at the crowded inside linebacker position.

The other two picks in the sixth round, offensive lineman Caleb Schlauderaff and defensive end Ricky Elmore never made the Packers final roster. Schlauderaff was traded to the Jets on Sept. 3, 2011, for an undisclosed draft pick. Elmore is currently on the Redskins roster.

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Green Bay also had multiple picks in the seventh round. With their first pick in the seventh round they selected a Ryan Taylor from North Carolina. A tight end; a guy who plays with a mean streak, has proven to be a very good special team player. With the recent departure of Tom Crabtree, if Taylor continues to progress on special teams, it is a safe bet he’ll be returning in 2013.

With the other pick in the seventh round the Packers selected defensive end Lawrence Guy from Arizona State. Guy spent the 2011 season on injured reserve. In 2012, he was one of the last players released in training camp and landed on the Packers practice squad. The Indianapolis Colts signed Guy in October 2012.

As I said in the beginning this was an interesting draft class. Every player selected is still in the league, a reflection of Ted Thompson’s eye for talent. However, outside of Randall Cobb, none of these players have really identified themselves as solid contributors. With the exception of Cobb, Taylor, and Williams, all of these guys have suffered significant injuries at some point. This does of course factor into their lack performance.

In 2013, I would look for Davon House to take the next step towards becoming a valued player in the Packer secondary. If Sherrod can return healthy, at the very least he can add needed depth to the offensive line. The same can be said for D.J. Smith at the inside linebacker position. I would also expect Ryan Taylor to be a leader on special teams. For the others this offseason will probably determine if they return to the Packers regular season roster.

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If you’re a Green Bay Packers fan you know that the 2010 season was special.

The 2010 Packers draft class was also pretty special. Going into the 2013 season every player from the 2010 draft class is still on the team, and most have played a lot of football for the Packers.

After finishing the 2009 season 11-5 the Packers were slotted with the twenty-third pick in the first round. In desperate need of acquiring some youth on the offensive line, specifically at the tackle position, the Packers selected Bryan Bulaga, a 6-5, 314-pound tackle from Iowa.

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Initially drafted to play left tackle, Bulaga was called into action at the right tackle position in the fifth week of his rookie season. Bulaga went on to start the remainder of the 2010 season. In Super Bowl XLV, Bulaga was the youngest player, 21 years and 322 days old, to start a Super Bowl. There is some concern about Bulaga’s health going into the 2013 season, as he was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a hip injury in November 2012.

In the second round the Packers selected a bull of a defensive lineman, Mike Neal, from Purdue. The Packers have had high expectations for Neal, but injury has prevented him from meeting his potential. 2012 was probably his most consistent season after returning from a four-game suspension for testing positive for Adderall. Packer fans hope that Neal’s injury struggles are behind him and 2013 will be a breakout season.

With their third round pick and seventy-first overall, the Packers selected safety Morgan Burnett from Georgia Tech. Burnett tore an ACL in October of his rookie season. He successfully returned to the Packers’ defensive backfield in 2011 and has been a solid player every season since.

Without a fourth round selection Green Bay took a tight end with a slightly checkered past from Penn State – Andrew Quarless in the fifth round. Coming out of Penn State, Quarless was thought of as a good athlete and a solid receiver. With Jermichael Finley going down with a knee injury in 2010, Quarless received a lot of playing time during the Super Bowl run. He was not outstanding per se, but he did haul in 21 receptions. Quarless suffered a gruesome knee injury in Week 13 of the 2011 season and missed all of the 2012 season. With Tom Crabtree now departed for Tampa Bay, Quarless will be a candidate to fulfill Crabtree’s blocking duties.

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Fifteen selections later the Packers made another pick in the fifth round. This time they selected offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse from Texas Christian University. Newhouse played a limited role in 2010, but played in 16 games and started 13 in 2011. In 2012, with the departure of Chad Clifton, Newhouse became the Packers’ starting left tackle. Newhouse is an interesting case. He’s not great, but he’s not terrible either. Definitely serviceable, but do the Packers want a serviceable left tackle protecting the blind side of their franchise quarterback? It’s possible we will find out in the draft and or training camp this coming season.

In the sixth round the Packers selected a 6-2 running back from the University of Buffalo, James Starks. Starks is another guy cursed with the label “potential.” He is also cursed by the injury bug. These have been two consistent themes of the career of James Starks. He was very much a difference-maker in the 2010 Super Bowl run, but various injuries have kept him off the field for portions of his three seasons with the Packers. This is disappointing, because at times Starks has flashed skills which prompt some comparison to Adrian Peterson. 2013 will probably be a make or break season for Starks.

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With the Packers seventh pick and last selection of the 2010 draft they acquired a player who has proved to be a real value, defensive end C.J. Wilson from East Carolina. Wilson has played in 42 games since his arrival in 2010. He has only accumulated 3.5 sacks, but what he does do is stop the run and eat up blockers. Additionally the hulking defensive end is well known for his ability to play the piano.

In terms of pure value the 2010 draft was a success. At this point there are no perennial All-Pro’s in this class, though, if he can stay healthy Bryan Bulaga could possibly attain that status. There may also be a Pro Bowl in Morgan Burnett’s future.

Nevertheless all seven of these players have been solid and needed contributors at one point in time or another. A couple of these guys may see their time come to end in Green Bay in 2013, but most of them should continue to add value to the team.

2010 produced another solid draft class for Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers.

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 A disappointing 2008 season saw the Green Bay Packers finish a lackluster 6-10. This was good for the second to last spot in the NFC North, in front of only the lowly Detroit Lions who finished without a win that season. There is always an upside, and for the Packers their dismal 2008 showing positioned Ted Thompson with the ninth pick in the draft.

With that ninth selection Ted Thompson took B.J. Raji, a 6’2,” 337-pound defensive tackle from Boston College. Raji has proved to be a very good nose tackle for the Packers, the anchor of the defensive line. The 2010 Super Bowl season was Raji’s breakout year.  He recorded 39 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and defended three passes. Despite the impressive numbers in 2010, Raji’s most memorable moment that season was a “hula” dance that he did in the end zone following an interception against the Bears in the NFC Championship Game. At the conclusion of the 2013 season, Raji is due a new contract.

If there is one draft in which Thompson displayed his genius, it was in 2009. One thing that was omitted in the opening paragraph, was 2008 was also the year Brett Favre retired and then un-retired and then traded to the New York Jets. Provided Favre took a majority of the snaps for the Jets in 2008 the Packers would be awarded the Jets’ 2009 third round pick. Favre did take the majority of snaps. Ted subsequently packaged the Packers’ second round pick with the third round pick from the Jets, number 83 overall, for the New England Patriots’ first round pick, number 26 overall.  With that selectin the Packers took Clay Matthews III.

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Matthews for the aging gunslinger – some might say that Brett Favre is the gift that keeps on giving for the Packers. I mean all Matthews has done since his arrival in 2009 is record 204 tackles, 42.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and score three defensive touchdowns. Not to mention the accolades – four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion and 2010 NFC Defensive Player of the year.

If Favre had just stayed retired, all the Packers would have gotten is a retired number and most likely some public relations.

Without a second or third round pick the Packers didn’t make another selection until the fourth round. With that pick they chose T.J. Lang. Evidently Ted was fond of players that went by initialized first names in 2009. Nonetheless Lang has evolved from a scrappy, undersized tackle with a frat boy mentality to a mauling guard who is yet to reach his suspected ceiling. Lang is a solid starting guard on an average offensive line with a knack for attracting attention on twitter – @tjlang70

Per usual, Thompson hit on about 50 percent of his draft selections in 2009. After selecting Lang in the fourth round, Ted didn’t snag another true keeper until the seventh round, when he selected linebacker Brad Jones from Colorado. Jones has been up and down, battling injuries, and learning multiple positions during his time in Green Bay. Last season was arguably his most productive. As a result he may very well make some money in free agency this offseason.

Outside of the aforementioned players, the Packers had two fifth round picks and two sixth-rounders. None of the four developed into players for Green Bay. Defensive end Jarius Wynn played quite a bit, including the 2010 Super Bowl run, but was released in 2012 during training camp and later signed by the Indianapolis Colts. Fullback Quinn Johnson from LSU also played on the Super Bowl XLV team. The Packers thought they had a bruising fullback who could block and run. Johnson was cut in 2011 after demonstrating that he could not do either exceptionally well. The biggest disappointment of these four was Brandon Underwood. An immature cornerback who you suspect the Packers thought they could capitalize on his potential and assist in his maturation process. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Underwood had multiple scrapes with the law and did not produce on the field. Another guy Thompson missed on was fifth round selection Jamon Meredith, a big offensive tackle from South Carolina.

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Ted Thompson’s 2009 draft was very solid. He selected two guys who became Pro Bowl-caliber and one of them is multiple hamstring injuries from being a perennial All Pro. Six of the eight players selected were contributors on a Super Bowl team. Four years after the draft and having four players starting is a sign of success.

Jordy Nelson has been the biggest hit among those selected in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Packers.
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The 2008 Green Bay Packer Draft class was quite honestly hit or miss.

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The Packers did not have a first round pick as a result of a two-for-one swap with the New York Jets. The Jets received the thirtieth pick in the first round from the Packers and dealt Green Bay a second round pick, number 36 overall, and a fourth round pick, number 113 overall. After selecting Jordy Nelson with the pick acquired from the Jets, Ted Thompson seemed to be boom or bust with every other selection throughout the 2008 draft.

As Packers fans know Jordy Nelson has developed into a pass catcher that provides quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a deep threat on the outside. Nelson’s biggest season thus far was 2011 when he caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. He played a big role down the stretch for the Packers 2010 Super Bowl team and may have been Super Bowl XLV MVP had it not been for a number of drops. Hampered by injury in 2012 his numbers declined. It would be expected he will continue to rise in 2013 with the assumed departure of Greg Jennings.

Overall, the Packers had three second round picks. With the other two the Packers selected quarterback Brian Brohm from Louisville. Brohm came with a big arm, but was beat out in camp by seventh round selection Matt Flynn from LSU. With their third second round pick they selected Pat Lee a defensive back from Auburn. Lee played with the Packers from 2008-11. He never developed into the player the Packers thought he would become. After signing as a free-agent with the Raiders he was waived in November of last year. He then signed with the Lions.

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In the third round the Packers selected a tight end from Texas with a freakish combination of size and speed, Jermichael Finley. Some players get labeled with the dreaded “P” word – potential. A blessing and a curse and Finley most certainly shoulders the burden. His numbers have been solid. In fact, if Tom Crabtree put up Finley’s stats it would certainly turn heads. But some might consider Finely a disappointment. But his potential has positioned Finley to make a very healthy salary in the near future. Because of this, many, including Raymond Rivard, believe soon there will be a “Where are They Now” post about Jermichael Finley.

The fourth round produced a defensive end from Wake Forest, Jeremy Thompson. Thompson’s NFL career never really got off the ground. A neck injury forced him to the sidelines in December 2009. He retired in April of 2010 due to an undisclosed injury.

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Green Bay also held two selections in the fourth round. With their second fourth round pick they snagged their now anchor of the offensive line, Josh Sitton. Recently Bleacher Report rated Sitton the third best guard in the NFL. Sitton, a 2012 Pro Bowl selection looks to have another stellar 2013 campaign.

To round out the draft the Packers took Breno Giacomini with their fifth round pick. Matt Flynn with their first of two seventh round picks.  To complete the 2008 draft the Packers picked Brett Swain, a receiver out of San Diego State.

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Giacomini is now in Seattle, where he started all 16 games for the Seahawks in 2012. Matt Flynn is also in Seattle. He landed a big pay day, but hasn’t netted much playing time due to the emergence of Russell Wilson. Swain latched on with the Packers long enough to earn a Super Bowl ring. He played with the 49ers in 2011 after being released in training camp that same year by the Packers.

The 2008 draft did not yield a bounty of talent, but the guys that did produce did so in a big way. The second round was especially disappointing only hitting on one of three picks. But as the norm, Thompson still came away with a better than average draft class.

In classic Ted Thompson fashion, he was particularly active in the 2007 draft. In the seven-round draft, Thompson and the Packers came away with 11 new Packers, four defensive players and seven offensive players.

The 2007 draft is also notorious for producing Thompson’s biggest draft bust thus far. With the 16^th overall selection in the first round the Packers selected a 6’4” 320-pound defensive tackle from the University of Tennessee – Justin Harrell. Defensive linemen are always a premium and Thompson seemed to like Harrell. The odd thing is the usually conservative Thompson drafted Harrell with a pre-existing injury.

Harrell arrived in Green Bay nursing a torn biceps tendon. Harrell then stoked the ire of Packers fans by showing up for organized team activities (OTA’s) and training camp overweight and out of shape. He didn’t play in his first game his rookie year until the fifth week of the season.

The rookie campaign for Harrell was not overly impressive. 2008 was even more underwhelming. In 2008, he began training camp and ultimately the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury. Harrell was first activated on Nov. 1, 2008.

2009 was another disappointment. Harrell injured his back in training camp and missed the entire season. 2010 was thought to be his last chance with the Packers. In the season opener he suffered a significant knee injury in the season opener. This was the last time Harrell appeared in the NFL. The Packers released him in July 2011 and he has not played since. In four seasons with the Packers Harrell played in 14 games.

With all the disappointment aside, the 2007 draft was very much a success for the Packers. Of the 11 players selected, six of them were contributors to the 2010 Super Bowl XLV team. Three of these players look to have big roles for the 2013 Packers squad.

Brandon Jackson was the Packers third down back and occasional starter, but started a bulk of the 2010 season after Ryan Grant went down. James Jones was a key contributor during the 2010 season and now looks as if he might become the Packers number one receiver going into the 2013 season. After being drafted as an inside linebacker out of Boise State, Korey Hall transitioned to fullback and was a key player on special teams from 2007-10. A sixth round pick in 2007, Desmond Bishop has blossomed into an outstanding inside linebacker for the Packers and probably brings more mean to the Packers defense than anyone on the team. The Packers third sixth round pick in 2007 was Mason Crosby, a kicker out of the University of Colorado. With the exception of a poor 2012 season, Crosby has been a very consistent kicker for the Packers.

The genius of Ted Thompson isn’t so much finding that one guy that turns into an All-Pro caliber player, but collecting numerous players in the draft that materialize into key contributors. There are not a lot of general managers that cannot claim to collect six players out of a seven-round draft that develop into worthwhile NFL players. Thompson seems to do this nearly every season. He’s not flashy but he’s consistent and the 2007 Packers Draft class is a shining example of this.

Johnny Jolly was a huge disappointment for the Green Bay Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

A disappointing 2005 campaign saw the Green Bay Packers finish 4-12 and dead last in the NFC North.

The Packers looked to retool in the 2006 NFL Draft on both sides of the football. To do so Ted Thompson worked his magic in ways that have now become his draft trademark. Thompson traded disgruntled Wide Receiver Javon Walker to the Denver Broncos for a second round pick. He then parlayed that pick into a multitude of picks. In all, the Packers selected 12 players in the seven-round 2006 NFL Draft.

With the first pick and number five overall the Packers took a dominant collegiate linebacker from Ohio State, A.J. Hawk. A well- decorated college linebacker, Hawk was a unanimous All-American in 2004 and 2005. He was also the winner of the Lombardi Award and the Jack Lambert Trophy, awarded to the best college linebacker.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is stopped by Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) during the 1st quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Thompson hoped to solidify his linebacking corps for years to come. Hawk has proved to be a consistent NFL starter. He has often disappointed fans with a lack of flashy plays and having a knack of making plays well beyond the line of scrimmage. But he is a solid field general and a sturdy linebacker. His future with the team is up for speculation going into the 2013 season.

In the second round the Packers had two selections, numbers 47 and 52. With pick number 47 the Packers selected Daryn Colledge an offensive tackle from Boise State. With the fifty-second pick Thompson took a talented wide receiver from little known Western Michigan University, Greg Jennings.

Daryn Colledge played five years for the Packers primarily at left guard. Colledge was serviceable at guard, but often criticized for inconsistent play. Following the 2010 Super Bowl-winning season Colledge signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Greg Jennings, on the other hand, has enjoyed a very nice run with the Packers. Jennings accumulated more than 6,500 yards during seven seasons with the Packers. Three times Jennings surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. His best overall season was in 2010 when he scored 12 touchdowns and amassed 1,265 yards receiving during Green Bay’s Super Bowl run. In both 2010 and 2011 Jennings was a Pro Bowl selection. Jennings is an unrestricted free-agent and it is likely his time with the Packers is up.

Of the remaining picks only Cory Rodgers was unable to carve out anything that resembled and NFL career. Abdul Hodge saw his promising career side-tracked by injury. After departing the Packers, Hodge spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers. Jason Spitz has played in 75 NFL games, starting 45. Spitz is currently with the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing a multi-year contract in 2011.

Will Blackmon was a  punt return specialist with the Packers. In 2010, he reached an injury settlement with Green Bay. In 2011, Blackmon won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants. He recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks after playing the previous year with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.

Ingle Martin played football professionally until 2009. Martin served as the third string quarterback with the Packers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos. He finished his career in 2009 playing with the New York Sentinels of the UFL.

One player that certainly overachieved from the 2006 draft class was offensive tackle Tony Moll. Injuries on the line created opportunities for Moll during his rookie season in which he played in all 16 games and started five games at right guard and right tackle. However, injuries slowed the development of Moll. After starting a handful of games in 2007 and 2008 he was traded in 2009 to the Baltimore Ravens for defensive back Derrick Martin. After spending time with the Jaguars, Chargers and Redskins, Moll is currently a free-agent.

Johnny Jolly intercepts a pass by Jay Cutler at Lambeau Field.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Probably the biggest disappointment of this draft class is Johnny Jolly. He was a gifted athlete and stout run-stopper who had a knack for disrupting plays. Jolly struggled with a codeine addiction that ultimately landed him in jail and caused him to be suspended indefinitely from the NFL. Jolly’s career and life becoming a train wreck is upsetting because he is a player who had a tremendous upside and the Packers could benefit from his talent to this day.

Tyrone Culver spent time with the Packers and the Miami Dolphins. Dave Tollefson spent the 2006 season on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. In 2007, the Raiders claimed Tollefson from the Packers practice squad. The Raiders cut him in 2007 and the Giants picked him up later that season. From 2007-11 Tollefson had a productive career as a key part of the Giants defensive line. He is currently with the Oakland Raiders.

Ted Thompson’s 2006 draft was very much a success. Three players from this class were essential to the Super Bowl XLV Championship. Several others were serviceable for the Packers. More than anything, Thompson’s keen eye for talent was put on display, with 11 of the 12 players drafted enjoying some level of success in the NFL.

In the spirit of the looming 2013 NFL Draft, the “Where Are They Now” series will take a look back at Ted Thompson’s eight previous draft classes. Beginning with the 2005 draft class, the one that when all is said and done, will have the most impact on Thompson’s legacy as Green Bay Packers’ General Manager.

With the first pick and twenty-fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers selected a quarterback from the University of California, Aaron Rodgers. For Rodgers, being selected by the Packers provided him reprieve from the torture of waiting in the green room. For many anticipated Rodgers would be selected as the first pick in the draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Instead the 49ers picked Alex Smith and 22 other teams passed over A-Rod.

Whatever misconceptions those teams had of Rodgers’ ability has long been put to rest. Rodgers went on to nudge out the legendary Brett Favre for the quarterback job. And has since collected one Lombardi Trophy, one MVP award, a Super Bowl MVP award, and amassed more than 21,000 yards passing and 171 career touchdowns. It’s safe to say Ted Thompson’s first draft selection for the Green Bay Packers was a good one.

With the second pick Thompson selected a safety, Nick Collins, from the little known 1-AA college Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Florida. Collins who many thought would be a project quickly filled the big shoes of departing safety Darren Sharper. Throughout his career Collins was known for his speed, ability to intercept passes, as well as making big hits coming from the secondary.

Collins’ most memorable moment for the Packers came in Super Bowl XLV. Collins picked off an underthrown Ben Rothlisberger pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. Upon breaking the plane of the goal line Collins dropped to his knees with arms raised above his head in jubilation, an iconic moment in time for Packer fans.

On Sept. 18, 2011, Collins suffered a neck injury attempting a tackle of Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers. On April 25, 2012, Collins was released by the Packers citing concern that he could successfully return from such a severe neck injury. In September 2012, Collins’ agent, Alan Herman, stated that it was unlikely Collins would most likely need to retire from football.

The Packers are still looking for a viable replacement for Collins.

Ted Thompsons’s first two picks will be remembered as legendary Green Bay Packers. The next nine selections are not so memorable.

Of the remaining nine selections only three, Brady Poppinga, Junius Coston and Mike Montgomery, made reasonable on field contributions. Terrance Murphy was forced to retire after a neck injury his rookie year revealed that he has spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal cord. Marviel Underwood struggled with knee injuries during his time with the Packers and was released during the 2007 season.

The 2005 draft did not produce an abundance of talent for the Green Bay Packers. But it did bring on board two players that will go down in the history of the green and gold. Quality beat quantity in 2005.

Oct 2, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Former Green Bay Packers Paul Hornung (5) and Jerry Kramer (64) talk prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Broncos 49-23. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

This begins a series of walks down memory lane revisiting the careers of Packers of yesteryear, while taking a look at what these heroes of the gridiron are doing today.

When you think of the Green Bay Packers of the historic “Glory Days” you think of course of Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, but right there with them is legendary right guard Jerry Kramer. Famous for his well-chronicled block of Dallas Cowboy left defensive tackle Jethro Pugh in the 1967 Ice Bowl which allowed quarterback Bart Starr to sneak into the end zone to put the Packers ahead 20-17. Following an extra point by Don Chandler time soon expired and the Packers went on to Super Bowl II to play the Oakland Raiders.

Jerry Kramer with former Packers wide receiver James Lofton.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Kramer is regarded as one of the best offensive lineman of the 1960s era NFL.  Number 64 is a five-time All-Pro and he is a member of the 1969 Fiftieth Anniversary Team. Despite the accolades and championship rings Kramer is a 10-time finalist for the Hall of Fame, but has yet to be elected to Canton.  He is, however, a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

In addition to his on the field fame Kramer is also well known for his work off the field.  In 1967 Kramer partnered with Dick Schaap to pen the book Instant Replay – an essential read for Packer and fans of the NFL in general.  Kramer chronicles his life as a Green Bay Packer during the 1967 season in between and outside the lines. This is an especially memorable point in history, for as it turned out this was Vince Lombardi’s last season as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. His depiction of Lombardi is very intriguing, most definitely a love/hate relationship founded on deep respect.

Following the 1968 season Kramer retired from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. After football life he went on to write two more books, Farewell to Football, and Distant Replay. In 2006 Kramer re-released Instant Replay. Kramer also founded a charity called Gridiron Greats; this provides medical assistance for former NFL players in need.

He now resides in Eagle, Idaho, just outside of Boise with his second wife, Wink. Kramer has six children and four grandchildren. His son, Jordan, played linebacker in Idaho and then following in his dad’s footstep he played linebacker in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans and then the Atlanta Falcons.

Follow Jerry Kramer on Twitter @JerryKramer64GB and connect with him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jerrykramer64.  If you happen to connect with Jerry Kramer via social media, wish him a happy belated birthday, it was Wednesday, Jan. 23

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