Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view as members of the military are honored during the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

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 Post-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 have their Pro Days coming up, and we’ll get a good opportunity to eyeball them once again and evaluate their performance.

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.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: 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: I’d love Barrett Jones here as he fills an immediate need but Lacy fills an even bigger one. 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.

There are three reasons I don’t like this pick. The first is I don’t think Lacy or any other running back in this draft is worth a first round investment. The second reason is that there are a lot of very comparable backs that can be had in later rounds, thus making this pick look even worse by comparison. Finally and most importantly, this selection rests on the assumption that the best and only way to improve the running game is to bring in a new running back.

April 14, 2012; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (76) is blocked by defensive end D.J. Pettway (57) during the spring game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

As the first two reasons are self-explanatory, let’s just dive into the last one.

The Packers have struggled to consistently and effectively run the ball since Ryan Grant’s 2009 season. Certainly, part of the blame for that rests on the stable of running backs the Packers have trotted out since.

However, the lion’s hare of the blame falls on the offensive line.

Outside of Josh Sitton and 2011 Bryan Bulaga, the Green Bay linemen have been sub-average at run blocking. This fact was mostly ignored prior to last season as the Packers have been so pass-dominant that the linemen have mainly been judged on their pass blocking. That’s not unfair either, but now that the receiving corps is undergoing a renovation, there will be a greater importance placed on running.

The better fix than reaching for a running back is to grab a dominant run blocker. For this, we need to look no farther than D.J. Fluker. As has been discussed many times on Lombardi Ave, Fluker would team well with Sitton to create a run mauling right side the Packers haven’t had since Ahman Green’s 2003 season. Fluker is also a vastly underrated pass blocker and will rarely require tight end or running back help.

With the Packers desperate to reduce Aaron Rodgers’ sack count, adding Fluker would allow Bulaga to move over to the left side and give Green Bay solid depth behind them.

Dec 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Jenkins (6) reacts after a sack against Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) during the second quarter in the 2012 SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers are on the verge of a major decision regarding B.J. Raji. The 26-year-old defensive lineman is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Packers have to decide whether to extend him now, or risk losing him after 2013 when he hits the open market.

While Raji has been dominant for large stretches of his career (the 2010 season, the second half of 2012), he’s also been invisible for just as long. As if the situation wasn’t complicated enough, Raji hasn’t been able to settle into a defined position. During 2010, Raji played mostly at nose tackle. He played in that spot again in 2011, but was not nearly as productive.

This past year, Raji moved to the five technique and had a resurgence. The problem, however, is defensive end is much less important to Green Bay, yet Raji is going to get paid as a full-time nose tackle. If the Packers believe Raji will return to playing effective nose tackle with additions and developments beside him at end, then extending Raji isn’t an issue. If the team believes Raji will never be an effective full-time nose tackle, then it’s a very good time to find Raji’s replacement.

While FanSided mocked him a pick earlier, Georgia’s John Jenkins is an ideal fit for the Packers’ defense. He’s even bigger than Raji and has just as much explosiveness. Like many nose tackle prospects, he needs to improve his lower body strength and work through double teams, but that’s why he might available at 26.

Another option that demands further discussion is the idea of trading down.

At 26, the Packers are in prime position to trade out of the first round with a team that wants to grab a quarterback. With the Alex Smith trade depressing rookie quarterback demand, it’s highly possible that only one quarterback has been taken off the board by the time Green Bay is on the clock.

Teams with an obvious need at quarterback always play coy about making aggressive moves to get one, but come draft time that James Bond-like neutrality gives way to nerves and impatience. The Packers have made a living off of those types of teams, and they could do so once again this year. With the strength of the 2013 draft lying in the second and third rounds, optimizing the number of picks in that territory seems wise. It may be a disappointment for fans wanting to hear a name called for their team, but that’s a small price to pay for the huge value upgrade such a move entails.

Could Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman D.J. Fluker be a first round pick by the Green Bay Packers?
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Today’s look at the possibilities for the Green Bay Packers and the 2013 NFL Draft are the result of a random Internet search once again among the thousands of mock drafts that are circulating across cyberspace.

Many of them are similar, but so far I’ve been able to locate  mocks who project different players who might fall to the Packers and their pick at number 26.

We consider picks today generated by myNFLdraft.com, Ricky Dimon of fftoolbox.com, and Scott Wright’s Draft Countdown. They project that the Packers will pick a defensive tackle, offensive tackle, and tight end, respectively.

But I’ll let them show their picks. And as always, lombardiave.com provides our take on the picks.

Let us know what you think about these picks. Who do you think the Ted Thompson will select with the Packers first pick?

Leave a comment below.

So, without further adieu, here’s today’s selections …

John Jenkins of Georgia
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

John Jenkins, defensive tackle , Georgia.

Though no description of Jenkins was provided by this particular website, we do know that Jenkins is a 6-4, 350-pounder who is actually projected by some to be a second-rounder in April’s draft. He’s a senior player who was recently described by Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com as a player who “is simply bigger, stronger and — as shocking as it sounds — quicker than virtually any other lineman on the field (at the Senior Bowl). His girth and long arms allow him to hold up well at the point of attack against double-teams, something he did with great effectiveness when playing inside or out as part of Georgia’s three-man front.”

Considering he comes from a 3-4 scheme, he might fit well into the Packers system. He participated only in the bench press at the Combine, completing 30 reps there. He’s described at nfl.com/combine as a player who “… played in every game, starting seven of the last nine contests while accumulating 28 tackles, six for loss and three sacks while facing constant double teams. The school also credited him with 10 quarterback pressures, a large number for a large man. His role continued to grow for his senior season (50 tackles, two for loss, one sack) as he played a number of positions along Georgia’s 3-4 defense.”

Lombardiave: The Packers definitely need to beef up their defensive line, especially in light of the fact that Jerel Worthy’s injury will probably keep him off the field for as much as the first half of 2013. If the Packers go after a defensive lineman in free agency, that might lessen the need for the team needing to spend a high draft pick (especially the first round pick) on a defensive lineman. Jenkins might be a good selection for the Packers if he were to fall to them in the second or third round, but I don’t see Ted Thompson using a first-rounder on him. There are too many offensive and other defensive linemen who would be a better pick in the first round.

Here’s a video of Jenkins …

Ricky Dimon, of fftoolbox.com projects …

D.J. Fluker
Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Fluker is yet another solid ‘Bama offensive lineman. Green Bay’s offense is still very dangerous but it can be improved, especially at running back or on the line.

Fluker is a hulking prospect who fits in nicely as a right tackle in a power-running offense.

Fluker is at his best when he can come off the line and drive right into his opponent. Great height and ideal size. There are concerns about his playing weight and he must stay at his current listed weight. Has had issues with staying healthy in his life, but has come a long way in this regard.

Lombardiave: Many still feel that an offensive lineman will be the Packers’ best – and safest – pick in the first round and Fluker is an excellent choice. However, there are those who feel that his teammate, Barrett Jones, would be the better selection because he is more versatile. Jones has played all the interior positions and some say he could even be moved outside in a pinch.

The 6-6, 335-pound tackle ranks in the top 30 of the top 100 college players, but he has had some health issues – as Jones has as well. He would be especially helpful in improving Green Bay’s run game as his best assets are run blocking. Many project him to the second round and would be a steal if the Packers could pick him up there. With either Jones or Fluker as the Packers’ first round choice, they would be getting a solid player who would improve the depth of their offensive line – something the Packers so desperately need.

Here’s a video of D.J. Fluker …

Scott Wright’s Draft Countdown projects …

This may not make complete sense on the face but Green Bay is one of those teams that can afford to keep one eye on the future rather than being locked into addressing specific, immediate needs. Jermichael Finley is still just 25 years old and won’t be a free agent until after the 2013 season but his play has been trending downward for a couple of years now and he has also rocked the boat a bit off the field. Whether or not Finley is in the Packers long-term plans remains to be seen but Zach Ertz of Stanford could serve as either a replacement or complement. Ertz may not be quite as fast or athletic as his former teammate Coby Fleener but he is undoubtedly a better all-around player.That’s not to say Ertz isn’t a terrific pass catcher though, with the size, hands, body control, ball skills and route running ability that you look for in a top prospect at the position. The Packers must also find a solution to their issues at running back so Giovani Bernard of North Carolina, Eddie Lacy of Alabama or Montee Ball of Wisconsin could be options. Green Bay will have to find a replacement for the 37-year-old Jeff Saturday at center sooner rather than later too so watch out for either Barrett Jones of Alabama  and Travis Frederick of Wisconsin.

Lombardiave: Yes, the Packers are going to need to address the tight end position in this draft, though Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame would be the better pick for the Packers at this spot – if he is still on the board. While the Packers will most likely go with an offensive lineman with the first pick, it’s highly unlikely they will go with a tight end. The Packers do have four tight ends already on the roster, but none of them match the skills of Jermichal Finley. However, they are more in line with the “Packer way” – that is they don’t run their mouths like Finley does. Mike McCarthy loves Finley on the field, but we know that both he and Ted Thompson don’t like players who are a disruption in the locker room and off the field.

With that said, going with a player like Ertz could be a brilliant move.

Here’s what they have to say about him on nil.com: “Ertz became the feature tight end in 2012 as a junior and started all 14 games, leading the team in just about every receiving category. He finished with a team-high 69 catches for 898 yards and six scores, earning first-team All-Pac 12 and All-American honors. Smooth athlete with good route quickness to create some separation and sneaky speed to get behind the defense. Sturdy, well-built frame, adding 30 pounds of bulk and muscle since he arrived in Palo Alto. Tough with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to deliver hits, lowering his pads and finishing runs. Not afraid to get physical as a blocker and gives good effort in this area, always looking for someone to block downfield.”
Here’s a video of Ertz …

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.