With NFL free agency news slowing to a trickle, it’s time to turn our attention to the next phase of the offseason cycle  - the NFL Draft.

The 2013 NFL Draft is less than a month away, so I called friend and draftnik Greg Trippiedi to help answer five questions about this year’s draft class. Greg has covered the draft for more than a decade, and his work is one of the best reads on the Internet.

Now, without further delay, here’s our Q&A:

What player drafted outside of the top 10 will end up playing like one, ala Clay Matthews?

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree does a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Hirschhorn: Alec Ogletree and it’s not close. His off the field troubles have been well documented, but they’re not kind of problems that tend to keep players off the field. His coaches at Georgia say he was never a problem in their locker room, and he has the reputation as a hard worker. While that doesn’t guarantee Ogletree will fix his problems, those types of players usually turn things around. If you judge him based solely on football concerns, Ogletree has top tier athleticism for his position and makes all the plays an elite inside linebacker should. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that in a few years Ogletree is in the same discussion with Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman for best at the position.

Southern California Trojans receiver Robert Woods (2) is pursued by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Chris Salvi (24) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Trippiedi: I’m going to give you two names here, both playing the same position: wide receivers Robert Woods of USC, and Keenan Allen of Cal.  I think Tavon Austin is the best offensive specialist in the draft, but Woods and Allen are top ten level players who will be available after the 16th pick in the first round.  Both are fluid athletes who can score from anywhere on the field, and really high point the football on 50/50 balls despite neither really being viewed as much of a height/weight/speed specimen.  Plus, I feel more comfortable projecting receivers than I do defensive pass rushers. But as a footnote to the last comment, I think the player that reminds me the most of Matthews coming out of USC is Jarvis Jones of Georgia.  And he’s likely to be available when Green Bay picks.

What player drafted in the early rounds is most likely to get a general manager fired?

Jason: Ah, the commemorative “who would Scott Pioli draft?” category. The answer is Mike Glennon. Drafting a quarterback early is nearly always a career defining move for a general manager. Making the wrong choice is a surefire way to earn the selector a one-way ticket out of town. While evaluating any player comes with considerable challenges, quarterbacks present many additional hurdles for general managers.

Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Mike Glennon of North Carolina State (8) throws against the Senior Bowl south squad. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s where Glennon could end some poor GM’s tenure. With his rocket arm producing high volume yardage and touchdowns, Glennon cuts the figure of the perfect pocket passer. In a year where there is little agreement regarding the best quarterback, Glennon stands out to some teams with his traditional drop back passer capabilities. What seems to get lost in the shuffle is Glennon’s lack of accuracy and passing discipline. Watching his tape, it’s clear Glennon’s never seen a double covered receiver he didn’t like. Glennon is too trusting in his arm strength, leading to 29 interceptions over the past two seasons. Those mistakes will only be magnified in the pros.

Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah does lineman dirlls during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: Assuming that “whoever Jeff Ireland drafts” isn’t an option here? No? Darn. With the easy answer off the board, it’s worth pointing out that the only picks that are directly responsible for getting GMs fired are quarterbacks, and no quarterback in this class is getting overdrafted.  So this is a very safe draft to be a GM.  There are two buyer beware players at the top of the first round who will be overdrafted on potential: LB Dion Jordan of Oregon, and DE Ziggy Ansah of BYU.  And it’s not that either won’t be good players.  But if I’m oh, I don’t know, Martin Mayhew or Mike Lombardi, I’d feel much better going with Kenny Vaccaro or Dee Milliner than I would with Ansah or Jordan.  Probably buys me an extra year on the job.

Ireland can take whomever he wants to at this point.  I don’t think anything can save him now.

Five years from now, who is the best quarterback from the 2013 draft class?

Southern California Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) is pressured by Oregon Ducks linebacker Tyson Coleman (33) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Jason: In five years, I think a lot of people will be wondering how their team let Matt Barkley slip past them. That’s not to say he’ll become the next Aaron Rodgers, because that wouldn’t be reasonable or fair. However, Barkley possesses enough characteristics of a successful quarterback to negate his shortcomings. The arm strength issue is overblown. Barkley has already demonstrated the ability to make the difficult out throws. What’s often overlooked is Barkley’s decision-making. As a freshman, he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,735 yards and 7.8 yards per attempt. That’s better than most of this year’s quarterback draft pool. Barkley’s best year was as a junior, where he was extremely efficient (5.6 touchdown to interception ratio, 69.1 percent completion) and extremely productive (3,528 passing yards, 39 touchdowns). That year is closer to the real Matt Barkley than his “down” 2012.

Right now, Barkley is viewed as a late first round selection (though we’ll address this more later). If that holds true, he’ll be given what few highly-drafted quarterbacks ever receive: time. It’s easy to see how a four-year starter who gets a year or two to build up his body and knowledge of the offense could flourish. Hopefully for Barkley, this is how his career plays out.

West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) drops back to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. West Virginia defeated Iowa State 31-24. Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: Geno Smith is the correct answer here, no?  He’s going to get the most chances. Thing is, it’s probably the kind of year where you want to take the field.  Someone is coming out from deep in the draft to make an impact as a starter.

And this isn’t really a prediction, but I think that given the five year time frame you allow here, Landry Jones could disappear off the face of the earth just long enough to re-emerge as a starting quarterback in this league, not dissimilar to what happened to Matt Moore in the 2007 draft.  With a player like Jones, you just have to think that his weaknesses as a college quarterback became so obvious to scouts over the last two seasons that whatever team gets him in camp is probably going to try to stash him away on the roster for a few years, at which point, they’ll be left with a guy who was sacked less than 1 in 40 college pass attempts and completed 63.6 percent of his college passes.

In the meantime, the answer is Geno Smith.

Who is the first quarterback off the board, and which team selects them?

Jason: The answer is Geno Smith, right now. Remember, Matt Barkley didn’t work out at the combine and has yet to have his pro day. While pre-draft work shouldn’t affect draft stock as much as it does, we’ve seen time and time again how a good workout can propel players to higher selections. And when’s the last time a quarterback had a bad pro day workout? Hint: never.

So the question becomes whether a team that runs a west coast-style offense will draft a passer before a team that wants a little more mobility and athleticism from their quarterback does. Oakland is the x-factor, as they’ll legitimately consider Geno Smith at the third pick. If they pass, the next team that might go quarterback is Arizona. The Cardinals are better suited for Barkley’s skill set.

So in the end I give you two scenarios: Smith to Oakland or Barkley to Arizona.

Greg: Geno Smith will be the first quarterback taken, and he’s going between pick no. 2 and pick no. 4 in this draft.  I think Jacksonville has a 30 percent chance of taking him with the second pick.  Oakland has a 45 percent chance of taking him with the third pick, if he’s available.  And then I really don’t think he gets past Philadelphia with the fourth pick.  It’s hard to put a plurality on this because looking at the overall percentages I just used, it breaks down to something like 30-30-30-10 as to where Smith lands, so I’m going to split the difference and say the Raiders will take him at third overall.  I’m 100 percent sure this will happen 30 percent of the time.

The interesting scenarios come if Jacksonville takes Smith at no. 2, because I think that puts Matt Barkley in play for the Raiders at 3.  You can’t have percentages on that event.  Absolutely not.

Finally, put yourself in the shoes of Ted Thompson. Of the players reasonably likely to be available when the Green Bay Packers pick, who would you select and why?

Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman D.J. Fluker does bag drills during Alabama pro day at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Jason: This question really is “who is the best player available at the Packers’ selection?” I think there’s a decent chance Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker is still on the board at 26. If he is, I can’t imagine a better selection. Fluker is a mammoth tackle who created giant holes for three 1,000 yard rushers the past two years. Read that again, three 1,000 yard rushers in two years. Most of those runs came behind Fluker, who is one of the strongest linemen in the draft. With Fluker lining up next to Josh Sitton, the Packers would have the ability to run effectively for the first time in years. This would also free Bryan Bulaga, the team’s best tackle, to move to the left side where he played so well at Iowa. Green Bay could reasonably go from the second most sacked team to the top third of the league.

I also think it’s likely that if no great value exists at 26, Ted Thompson will trade back. The strength of this draft class is in the second and third rounds. Smart teams will be swinging trades to maximize their selections in those rounds.

Akron Zips quarterback Clayton Moore (8) runs during the first quarter as FIU Golden Panthers defensive back Jonathan Cyprien (25) prepares to make the tackle in the game at InfoCision Stadium. Eric P. Mull-USA TODAY Sports

Greg: I think the two players who make the most sense for the Packers (but there’s at least a chance one if not both will not be there) are TE Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame, and FS Jonathan Cyprien of Florida International.  In the modern NFL, you have to be good in the middle of the field.  I think the Packers are perfectly well off at the tight end and safety positions for 2013, but the NFC is getting into an arms race for the kind of talent that can create scoring opportunities (Eifert) and limit scoring opportunities (Cyprien), and I don’t see the Packers being in a position to pass either of these first-rounders if available when they select in round one.

Today’s contributors:

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Greg Trippiedi writes about the Washington Redskins at Redskins Hog Heaven and runs LiveBall Sports which covers current events in sports with a slant toward sports analytics and the business side of the sports world.  His teams go to the playoffs sometimes, which is a refreshing change from most years when they do not win anything. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/GTrippiedi.

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) runs with the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Ishaq Williams (11) during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Could Lacy be the Packers’ first round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft?
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The Free Agency edition of the FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been released.

The fine folks over at FanSided.com do a new mock draft every week right up until the actual draft in April, and we at LombardiAve.com have plenty of offseason information to pass along to our readers. Many of the players we’ve mentioned in previous mock draft posts have their Pro Days coming up, and we’ll get a good opportunity to eyeball them once again and evaluate their performance.

Draft positions have been set. Barring a trade, the Green Bay Packers will make their first selection with the 26^th pick.

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) stiff arms Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Danny Spond (13) during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

According to FanSided, with the 26^th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Eddie Lacy, Running Back, Alabama

Analysis: The only knock on the Packers offense over the years has been the utter absence of a running game and the Alabama hammer can fix that right up. Running back is one of the most popular skill positions for fans to pull for and Lacy will help make the Packers offense even more dangerous than it already is. Besides, if you think Alex Green and Cedric Benson are the answer at running back for the Packers, please review the Packers 2012 running game and then check out how well Lacy ran in a devastating offense with the Crimson Tide. Lacy is rising on draft boards, and after losing out on running backs in free agency, the Packers may decide to get one at any cost in the draft.

The notion that Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson may decide to draft a running back “at any cost” seems ignorant to me. As Packers fans know, Thompson is one of the most patient and value-oriented general managers in the league. He would never reach for a player, choosing instead to go a different direction or drop back in the draft. Thus, the idea that Thompson would reach for Lacy at 26 seems patently ridiculous. Running back does need to be addressed at some point, but that doesn’t mean Green Bay will select one with their top pick. As of right now, the Packers are one of two teams reported to be interested in former-New York Giant Ahmad Bradshaw, and Thompson could easily snap up a tailback on day two of the draft.

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) is sacked by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree (9) during the second half of the Capital One bowl at The Citrus Bowl. Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

For what it’s worth, most draft projections have popular Packer targets D.J. Fluker and Jonathan Cooper off the board before Green Bay selects. Fortunately, many valuable options remain. Alec Ogletree stands as the most likely player to significantly outperform his draft status. While the Packers have Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk returning, there may be a starting spot opening a year from now. Ogletree would be a wise investment now, especially with Bishop coming off of hamstring surgery and key reserve D.J. Smith recovering from a torn ACL.

USC Trojans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) makes a catch.

While many fans have lamented Greg Jennings’ departure, the Packers wisely prepared for the defection. Last season, Randall Cobb broke out in a big way and became Rodgers’ go-to receiver in the slot. With Jordy Nelson and James Jones nailing down the outside receiver spots, there’s a vacancy for someone who can fill Jennings’ old role. If California’s Keenan Allen falls a little due to his knee injury, he could provide the Packers a complete receiver to take over that role. Otherwise, the Packers could look in the second round at a number of wideouts. Louisiana Tech’s Quinton Patton and USC’s Robert Woods provide much of what Jennings did: good speed, great quickness and change of direction, and a knack for the big play. Both are talented, but if forced to choose I’d favor Woods. Woods is a better route runner despite being over two years younger, and he’s a near identical profile to Patton.

Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Wright (28) is tackled by Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22). Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, if Green Bay doesn’t feel comfortable with Jerron McMillian or M.D. Jennings, they could pick a safety. Florida’s Matt Elam is a hard hitter with cornerback speed. He plays as well at the line of scrimmage (22 tackles for loss and 4 sacks since 2011) as he does in centerfield (6 interceptions and 18 passes defensed, also since 2011). He plays a lot like Bob Sanders, but with a little added size. If he’s not on the board, there’s also Florida International’s Jonathan Cyprien. Unlike Elam, Cyprien has prototypical safety size. He racked up tackles and sacks for FIU (365 and 13.5 respectively since 2009) and has been a decent playmaker. While he’d be a perfectly acceptable selection, Elam probably offers more of what Green Bay’s defensive backfield needs.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Growing up a Green Bay Packers fan is more than wearing the Green and Gold and knowing the history of the team, it is about heart and spirit.  Sometimes we forget that this is just a game and that in the end it means very little in the grand scheme of things.  Yet, every now and then there is a story that comes along that tugs at our heartstrings and puts to shame the selfishness and greed that we see so often in professional sports.

We are fortunate (for the most part) that our team is void of self-serving egomaniacs.  We see reminders of the good that Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver and Coach  Mike McCarthy have done in this community.  We applaud them for their actions and name them MVP and shower them with accolades.  In many ways they deserve it for they have accomplished a lot for the greater good.

Yet as I write this, I can say with all seriousness that none of these men come close to to what I saw in this video.  I ask that you first watch it before you read any further.  Some of you may not agree with me and that is fine.  Some may see what I see and will understand my feelings.  So please take a moment to watch this.

Pretty powerful on many different fronts.

A  coach willing to risk victory to make one young man’s wish come true. The actions of one young man, contrary to all that is held in sports, to do what was right and finally a dream fulfilled.  In an age of multi-million dollar contracts, Jonathan Montanez, a senior at Franklin High School in El Paso, Texas, and Coach Peter Morales, at Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas, did not care about winning at all costs.  They cared about doing the right thing.

They put the integrity of the game and doing what was right before anything else.  They put the dreams of Mitchell Marcus ahead of winning and losing.  To watch Montanez call to Marcus, pass him the ball and give him the opportunity to make the shot proved to me that sportsmanship still lives and thrives.  I was also impressed with the other members of the Franklin High School team who allowed Marcus his one last opportunity to fulfill his dream.  What took place was greater than any game or any championship.

I was amazed when Coach Morales said that he “was prepared to lose that game, ‘for (Marcus’s) moment in time.’”  In today’s win-at-all-cost mentality, words like that are never spoken in sports today.

In the end, Mitchell Marcus made his shot and his school rushed the floor and hoisted him on their collective shoulders.  Not because he won the game, but because he represented everything that is true, honest and good about sports.  He played the game for the love of it, not for a trophy or an award, not for money or fame.  He played because that was what was in his heart.

So you may ask what does that have to do with the Packers and football.  Well it has nothing to do with it, yet it has everything to do with it.  The Combine is wrapping up and the talk of who to draft and why is at the forefront of every story being penned.  We hear of the Manti Te’o, Alec Ogletree and Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieus of the Combine and see all the press they get for all the wrong reasons.  Lying, drunk driving and drug use is their badge of dishonor, yet in the end they will, in all likelihood, get millions of dollars for all the wrong reasons.

Here is what I would love to see happen.  The money that NFL players like these three will probably get should go to schools like Franklin High School and Coronado High School in the form of a scholarship that rewards these schools, their coaches and players like Montanez for their actions and deeds.

I am calling out every would-be professional player who is about to hit paydirt and honor the integrity of the game they play by honoring the actions of coaches like Peter Morales and players like Jonathon Montanez.  I dare you to take your precious signing bonus and reward the actions of kids like this with a scholarship or provide the funds to improve the athletic department where schools like this put honor and integrity above winning at all costs.

I have joked about getting paid $20 million to write these articles, but I will say this.  I would gladly give a salary of that amount to the players and coaches of the two schools in the video above.  I would gladly put scholarships together to honor Coaches like Peter Morales and players like Jonathon Montanez and Mitchell Marcus, before I would give a dollar to college athletes like Te’o, Ogletree and Mathieus.

I would rather have Te’o, Ogletree and Mathieus watch this video and then get up in front of every reporter and news agency and profess what they truly feel after watching that video and then put their money where their mouth is.  I would love to have Greg Jennings look at every camera and say that the money is not important after watching this video.  But in the end, I know that the power of the almighty dollar is what drive men like them to play the game.  Sadly, along the way they forgot that what was important was to play the game for the love of it.

I applaud the young men in the video.  I applaud them for playing the game they love with all their heart and for putting integrity, honor and sportsmanship above all else.  No matter what happens, you are the true champions and you deserve the accolades and honor that come with that.

You truly exemplify all that is right about sports and sportsmanship and you are the true representation of sportsmanship of which the Te’os, Ogletrees, Mathiues can only dream.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in attendance before Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Combine edition of the FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been released.

The fine folks over at FanSided.com do a new mock draft every week right up until the actual draft in April, and we at LombardiAve.com have plenty of offseason information to pass along to our readers. Many of the players we’ve mentioned in previous mock draft posts will be working out and we’ll get a good opportunity to eyeball them and see how they’ll perform.

Draft positions are set save for the Super Bowl participants. Barring a trade, the Green Bay Packers will make their first selection with the 26^th pick.

Nov 3, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Arthur Brown (4) during a 44-30 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

According to FanSided, with the 26^th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Arthur Brown, Linebacker, Kansas State

Analysis: The Packers linebacker depth chart leaves a lot to be desired and it can immediately be improved if Green Bay decides to bring in a player like Brown, who has been turning heads during the draft process.

Here’s where things get interesting. Arthur Brown is a name we haven’t spent much time discussing, but he’s one of the more intriguing players in the draft. Measuring in at 6-0 and 241 pounds, most teams will look at Brown and determine he’s too small to spend a first round pick on. That’s not a very good reason, but he does lack an obvious position at the next level.

His speed and playmaking ability most naturally lend themselves to weakside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, which obviously doesn’t do much for Green Bay. For the Packers, he’d probably shift to the inside where his skills balance out those of Desmond Bishop. It’s not a great fit, but Brown is much more talented than he’s given credit. His athleticism makes this a legitimate option should the Packers decide to address inside linebacker early.

Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace (14) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree (9) and linebacker Christian Robinson (45) in the game at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

However, if that’s where Ted Thompson wants to go, he will have to consider Alec Ogletree. His DUI arrest is certainly going to be a red flag for the Packers, who don’t want to spend a first round pick on a player who might end up suspended. However, chances to take a top 10 talent at the back end of the first round are few and far between. Without his character concerns, Ogletree does not make it this far. With the Packers in a win-now mode, this is the type of pick that merits consideration. As we’ve seen from players like Johnny Jolly, bad personal habits can be controlled during the season. It’s a calculated risk, but if it works out Green Bay would have its second All-Pro linebacker.

Nov 12, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) tries to catch the ball in the end zone but is unable to remain control during the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at AT

More and more, we’re hearing that teams in search of a wide receiver are valuing Cordarrelle Patterson and DeAndre Hopkins as the best wide receivers in the draft. The benefit of this is Keenan Allen – the most complete receiver in the draft – might be available when the Packers are on the clock. Wide receiver isn’t Green Bay’s biggest need, but Allen is the type of receiver the Packers haven’t had since Javon Walker’s one great season. He’s a big target with great hands, understands the complexities of route running, and will fight for the ball better than any wideout in this class. For Green Bay, he’d provide another receiver to line up wide thus opening up opportunities for slot receiver Randall Cobb.

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Jenkins (6) hits Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray (8) as he throws in the second half at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Another option we haven’t spent much time discussing is mammoth Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins. At 6-4 and 346 pounds, Jenkins has the look of a true 3-4 nose tackle. A few years ago, it was all but assumed the Packers had the nose tackle position locked up, but B.J. Raji has proven much better at end. At the very least, Green Bay needs another player who can provide Raji some rest. With Ryan Pickett now the graybeard of the team, it’s time to find a replacement.

Jenkins could be that player.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

The Packers won’t go defense with their first pick … it’s got to be an offensive lineman such as Barrett Jones.

I came across this posting on Sulia by ESPN’s Jason Wilde this evening:

The @FootballPost‘s Russ Lande has the #Packers going defense at No. 26 in his latest mock draft. The pick: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia.

Here’s why Lande feels the Packers will pick Ogletree:

“After drafting Nick Perry in the first round last year, the Packers continue upgrading their defensive speed and play-making ability by selecting Ogletree. Although not as well known nationally as Manti Te’o or Kevin Minter, Ogletree is the most explosive and athletic inside linebacker available in the 2013 NFL Draft and would add a dimension to the Packers defense that they have been lacking from their inside linebackers.”

This prognostication was made, of course, before Ogletree, the Georgia star, was arrested this weekend for a DUI, but I have to question the pick anyway – not because the Packers aren’t paper thin at inside linebacker (and may be even thinner if they cut ties with A.J. Hawk), but because I can’t see Packers’ GM going defense with the first pick again this time around.

Last year, Thompson spent nearly the entire draft on defense and given that Aaron Rodgers was on his backside more than 50 times this past season and the pathetic run game went nowhere, he’s got to go offensive line. Whether they try to trade up for someone like Alabama’s Chance Warmack or sit tight and hope that players like tackle Lane Johnson out of Oklahoma or center Barrett Jones of Alabama fall to them, it’s the offensive line that needs addressing at this point in time.

We all hear that it’s the “best player on the board” that’s drafted and need is a second consideration. I feel that Thompson understands that the O-line should be his first objective. While Thompson has been known to pick up solid offensive linemen in later rounds, he’s got to go after someone like Jones who is known for his toughness and versatility – something he appreciates in these warriors.

So, even though Ogletree is considered the most explosive of the inside linebackers in the draft, the character issue raises its ugly head here. Russ Lande is wrong on this one. Thompson and the Packers will go offensive line with their first pick.

You can be the first to say I’m wrong, not only because just about everyone’s mock drafts aren’t even close, but if Thompson doesn’t go offensive line with his team’s first pick of the 2013 draft, I will be very disappointed … and I bet Aaron Rodgers will be, too.

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