Great defensive talent, such as Datone Jones, should be available at the Packers #26 pick. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The majority of NFL and Green Bay Packers mock drafts this time of year are (for the most part) relatively spot on (Insert sarcasm … here). The further along into the first round we get, the more vague experts’ selections become.

Sure there’s always a surprise here or there especially in the top 10, (see Tyson Alualu). And trying to think back to last year’s mocks, I do believe a few had Nick Perry to the Packers, so we can only assume a few mocks out there have it right.

This year’s draft seems to have a bit of a different feeling than we’ve been accustomed in recent years. It’s probably safe to say we became a little spoiled with last year’s draft having so many future star players being taken in the first round. Everyone around the league seems to agree that “superstar” really isn’t there this year. Depth runs rampant this year while both the offensive and defensive line hold a plethora of prospects.

So just who exactly will be around when pick 26 comes along?

Oct 20, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; Bernard would provide great value in the Third round. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

While a few mocks have Ted Thompson taking Eddie Lacy at 26, this is one pick I, for one, just don’t see happening. Sure Lacy is a fine running back, but injury concerns and the organization’s philosophy overall just don’t have me buying into drafting a running back this early.

Conventional wisdom, in addition to Thompson’s tendencies, would say he could find much more value with a Giovani Bernard in the third round. I’d like to say Montee Ball here, but I see him as a second-rounder that would more than likely require a trade-up.

Both sides of the line will seem to offer a quality selection at 26 one way or another. A few mocks have Tyler Eifert as the next Packer. Eifert seems to be the one biggest wild card in the first draft because some have him as high as 6 to the Browns while others don’t even have him in the first round. With another year of Jermichael Finley, I’m not sure tight end is quite yet a priority in Thompson’s eyes.

Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Could Matt Elam supplant Charles Woodson? Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

An interesting trend caught my eye is an early run at offensive linemen. Mocks this year seem to have an emphasis on the offensive side of the ball early, and the defensive side of the ball late.

True to his word as we all know, Thompson will certainly take the best player available, but I believe at 26, the best player available will also fill a need.

I could see a Menelik Watson or Barrett Jones there at 26, but do they really grade out better than a Datone Jones or Matt Elam?

One thing I’ve taken from all the mocks I’ve seen is deductive reasoning leading me to believe our first selection will be on the defensive side of the ball for starters.

A Matt Elam could certainly help shore up a Charles Woodson-less secondary while a Datone Jones would provide instant depth along the D-line and offer as a nice bookend to Matthews coming off the edge.

As with any other draft, none of us really knows just exactly what will happen. So on draft day eve, tell us Packers Nation, just who … will be the next … son of Lombardi?

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Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces defensive end Nick Perry (Southern Cal) as the 28th overall pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been a Green Bay Packers fan since age 9, but only began paying close attention to the NFL Draft during my teen years. This was the early 1980s, however, and back then you followed the draft by reading in the following day’s newspaper who your team selected.

That was back when there were like 37 rounds (OK, just 12) and some of the players still wore lame, single-bar facesmasks like Bart Starr’s. All the better for punching each other.

How did Bart Starr not get punched in the face more often, wearing that flimsy faceguard?

Some 30 years later, however, we have only seven rounds, helmets and facemasks are reinforced to discourage punching (and to help prevent concussions), and the NFL Draft is officially an event. As in, a rent-a-tux-and-limo-and-go-be-photographed-by-paparazzi kind of event. In fact, it’s become the biggest non-sporting sports event (yeah, that phrase made me go temporarily cross-eyed too) in America.

The draft, which began in 1936 as a way of ensuring every team had a shot at getting talented players, wasn’t televised until 1980. And until 1995, it was held in hotel ballrooms with minimal audiences and fanfare. But much like TV’s The Jeffersons, the draft has moved on up.

Last year, according to SI.com, a combined 8.1 million viewers (including myself) watched the first round of the draft televised live from Radio City Music Hall. Folks, that’s a lot of viewers. By comparison, the season finale of “The Walking Dead,” one of the most popular shows on television, last month drew 12.4 million viewers.

Furthermore, two NBA playoff games that were played on the same night as the NFL Draft round one last year drew only a combined 1.8 million viewers. We’re talking playoffs here, people. And the NFL Draft, an event with no actual live sports involved, beats it by more than 6 million viewers? (Somewhere, I think I just heard David Stern sob.)

In fact, according to online ’zine The Guardian, the combined total viewership of the draft grew by nearly 100 percent between 2001 and 2010. The Super Bowl, for comparison’s sake, has seen its viewership increase by only 28 percent since 2001.

Yeah, the NFL Draft is definitely an event now. Be honest, how many of you out there would consider missing your daughter’s piano recital if it was going to be held this Thursday night? I know I would. Luckily, I don’t have a daughter.

Well, Packers fans, the good news is the NFL is paying attention to your loyalty, and is ready to reward you. For your viewing pleasure this year, they’ve implored NFL staffers not to tweet draft picks prior to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stepping to the podium to make the announcement on live TV. There’s more drama this way; now you can sit, frozen, greasy chicken wing clutched in your fingers, mouth agape, a trickle of beer moistening the corner of your lip, as you await the next pick.

In addition, we, the NFL Draft viewing public, will be learning the draft choices at the same time as Chris Berman and John Gruden – thus, they can continue speculating right up until the moment Goodell says, “With the 26^th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select …”(Yeah, we all know Ted’s probably going to try and trade that pick. Work with me here.)

But how do they manage to get the damn graphics up so fast when a pick is made? Well, the producers of the show do get the picks between 30 and 60 seconds before they are announced. But they have to cross their hearts and swear on their mothers’ graves that they won’t tell the “talent.” All for you, Packers fans.

“I love you, man.” (USA Today Sports Images)

And this will also mark Year Four of Goodell hugging all the draft picks. Wiley ESPN reporters figured out that Goodell officially began showing us his man-panties with the third pick in the 2010 draft. No. 3 pick Gerald McCoy from Oklahoma, upon being called to the stage, shuffled over to Goodell and wrapped him up in a 300-pound man hug that seemed to go on forever. It was truly a tender moment.

And with that beautiful, live-TV love-fest, hugging first-rounders became a Goodell draft tradition. (For the record, the last first-round pick to not get hugged was Ndamukong Suh. Sorry Ndamukong. Maybe Roger was just waiting for you to make the first move.)

So when Thursday night rolls around and you’re hunkered down in front of the TV, your Clay Matthews jersey proudly trumpeting your team loyalty, Doritos, cheese cubes, wings and tacos lined up on your coffee table, and a cooler full of your favorite swill next to your chair, remember that the NFL has maximized this event for you, the fan.

That said, don’t be afraid to jump up and down when Goodell announces that the Packers have drafted Menelik Watson or Matt Elam or, heck, even Eddie Lacy. Don’t hesitate to cheer when Ted Thompson trades that third-round pick for two fifth-rounders, a seventh-rounder and a bag of used cleats. Don’t feel ashamed if you get teary-eyed when Goodell hugs the newest Packer.

And above all, don’t be afraid to throw a Goodell-style man-hug on your buddy, that guy whose been sitting next to you for every first round since Tony Mandarich, the NFL’s most offensive tackle, smashed your hearts. Because, goodness knows, you’ve both earned the right to enjoy this Thursday night NFL event.

How will you celebrate the NFL Draft this year?

Click Leave a Comment below to let us know – and while you’re at it, click on over and Like us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter.

Matt Elam would bring a toughness to the Green Bay Packers they have been missing the past few years. Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers are soft, at least that’s what Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and many within the Packers organization and across the NFL have been saying for some months now.

It’s time to toughen up, to lay the wood on some opponents and start playing the game with a mean streak that will make other teams sit up and take notice.

That’s why I’ve gone defense in the mock draft in which I was recently asked to participate. The mock is located over at zoneblitz.com … Click here to see the full draft. There are a couple of surprises in this first round – two of which come from Jon Merckle, senior blogger over at our Fansided.com sister site, The Viking Age. His picks emphasize the need for mean that seems to be taking place across the league.

While Merckle could have gone offense with his selections at 23 and 25, he also went defense. With the #23 pick, he selected Arthur Brown, Linebacker – Kansas State and with the 25th pick he took Jamar Taylor, Cornerback – Boise State.

At 26, I could have gone offensive line or defensive line or even running back, but I didn’t. I stayed with the trend and selected Matt Elam, Safety – Florida.

Here’s how I explained it …

The Packers have been deemed “soft” by many in the media, as well as those in the know in the NFL. The selection of Matt Elam will go a long way in alleviating the description of the Packer defense. Elam, though a bit undersized, is a hard hitter who plays well in the box – making running backs feel his punch. With the likes of Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte in the NFC North, the Packers need an enforcer in their defensive backfield. Elam fits that role and would be a great addition to the Packers defense.

I’ll leave it at that.

Do you think Ted Thompson will go offense or defense Thursday night? Let us know by leaving a comment, Liking us and leaving a comment on our Facebook page and/or following us on Twitter.

Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Green Bay Packers take a safety early in the draft? Many have been wondering this since the release of safety Charles Woodson this offseason. This leaves Green Bay very young at the safety position.

The Packers have the reliable Morgan Burnett and youngsters, Jerron McMillan, M.D. Jennings, and Sean Richardson. McMillan and Jennings played admirably last season in Woodson’s absence, rotating in and out. McMillan showed some glimpses of playmaking ability and is the most physical safety on Green Bay’s roster. Jennings proved to be reliable in coverage and consistently good, but not great. Richardson has potential, but was injured last season and still unproven.

The Packers’ youth at the position doesn’t make safety an immediate need this offseason, but Green Bay does need to add depth and competition. The 2013 draft offers one of the deepest groups of safeties in recent memory, which gives the Packers options when addressing the position. Whether they select a safety early or wait until later rounds is difficult to say, but either way, Green Bay will look to the draft to strengthen their defensive backfield.

Here are some safeties Green Bay may be considering this weekend. I broke them into four groups based on scouting reports, projections and rankings by analysts, and where they were placed in various mock drafts. I also attached some of their college highlights if you are interested in seeing some gameday footage of these players.

Texas Longhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro. John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Tier I (Mid First Round)

Kenny Vaccaro, Texas, 6-0, 214 pounds  (college highlights)

Most NFL analysts rate Vaccaro as the best safety of this year’s class, but he will be long gone by the time Green Bay picks at 26. Often used in man coverage as a nickel back, Vaccaro may be the most physically gifted and complete safety of the group.

He will likely go in the mid first round to a team like the New York Jets at 13 or Carolina Panthers at 14, but if by some small chance he slips through the cracks and falls to the Packers at 26, Green Bay would get an outstanding cover safety to pair with Burnett in the defensive backfield. Crazier things have happened, but don’t get your hopes up too high.

Tier II (Late First – Mid Second Round)

Eric Reid, LSU, 6-1, 213 pounds (college highlights)

Matt Elam, Florida, 5-10, 208 pounds  (college highlights)

Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International, 6-0, 217 pounds  (college highlights)

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (3) looks at LSU Tigers safety Eric Reid (1) coming toward him during the BCS National Championship game at the Louisiana Superdome. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Many debate who will be the better NFL safety between these three. Depending on the source you check, any of these three could be ranked as the second highest safety in this year’s draft.

With teams who also need a safety, like the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, drafting ahead of Green Bay in the first round, it is very likely that either Reid, Elam, or Cyprien will be off the board when it is the Packers’ turn to pick at 26. However, Green Bay will get a chance to select at least one of these safeties at the end of the first round—maybe all three if they’re lucky. Based on my limited knowledge of the draft prospects (and I mean very limited), Eric Reid out of LSU seems to be the safest pick at 26.

Both Elam and Cyprien can fly around the field and lay the wood on people, but Reid seems to be the more reliable player. He has the size and athleticism to play man coverage against big receivers and tight ends, as well as cover deep. He is also a sure tackler and can offer some support against the run.  All three of these players are physical safeties who offer some playmaking ability, and I would be happy with any one of them suiting up in a Packers jersey next season.

However, Green Bay will have to get them in the first round because they won’t last to the end of the second when Green Bay picks again.

Tier III(Late Second – Third Round)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Rantavious Wooten (17) runs with the ball against Georgia Southern Eagles safety JJ Wilcox (19) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. Swearinger, Southern Carolina, 5-10, 208 pounds  (college highlights)

J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern, 6-0, 213 pounds  (college highlights)

Philip Thomas, Fresno St., 6-0, 208 pounds  (college highlights)

Shawn Williams Georgia, 6-0, 213 pounds  (college highlights)

Maybe the Packers wait until the second or third round to address the safety position. There will still be considerable value at safety beyond the first round and plenty of players that could compete for a starting position on an NFL roster at this point in the draft. Swearinger out of Souther Carolina heads this group of safeties and offers a physical presence and tenacity that would be a great addition to the Packers’ defense.

Wilcox is a bit of a mystery and would make for an interesting pick. He played his first three years of college at receiver and slotback before making the switch to safety his senior year. He also has experience as a kick returner, which showcases his athletic talent.

Reports have come out that Green Bay has shown considerable interest in the safety from Georgia Southern. With Green Bay looking to take Cobb off of special teams this season, maybe Thompson likes Wilcox for his potential at safety and his ability to return kicks.

Philip Thomas of Fresno State. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Similar to Wilcox, Thomas began his college career on the offensive side of the ball before switching to safety his freshmen year. An injury history has dropped Thomas’s draft status, but the safety out of Fresno State can make plays. In 2012, Thomas led the nation in interceptions with eight, returning three for touchdowns.

He also had four sacks and four forced fumbles, proving he can make plays on the field in a variety of ways. Thomas would be a great value pick for Green Bay in the third round and give them a player that could come in and compete with McMillan and Jennings for a starting job.

Tier IV (Fourth – Sixth Round

Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma, 5-11, 213 pounds  (college highlights)

Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse, 5-9, 213 pounds  (college highlights)

T.J. McDonald, USC, 6-2, 219 pounds  (college highlights)

Josh Evans, Florida, 6-1, 207 pounds  (college highlights)

Earl Wolff, N.C. State, 5-11, 209 pound  (college highlights)

UCLA Bruins quarterback Kevin Prince (4) is tackled by Southern California Trojans safety T.J. McDonald (7) and defensive end Devon Kennard (42) as cornerback Hayes Pullard (10) watches at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The remaining safety class offers some players with potential, but these players will need time to develop in order to be effective at the position in the NFL. McDonald out of USC has intriguing size for the position. He played a hybrid safety/linebacker position for the Trojan defense and recorded 112 tackles and 6.5 tackles for a loss.

McDonald would be an interesting project pick late in the draft, and could be a special player with some time and development. Jefferson out of Oklahoma is a versatile safety option late in the draft.

He played up at the line and covered both receivers out of the slot and running backs out of the backfield in college. However, Jefferson lacks ideal size and speed for the position, which leads some to speculate that he’ll be better suited as a special teams player and residual backup on an NFL roster.

Maybe the Packers draft a potential starting safety in the first two rounds. Maybe they grab one late in the draft to add depth to the position. Or, maybe they wait and trust that a starter will emerge from who they currently have on the roster.

Only time will tell what Thompson and company will do. As fans, we can only speculate and enjoy the ongoing game that is the NFL draft.

Would LSU Tigers safety Eric Reid (1) be the best fit with the Green Bay Packers?Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Green Bay Packers mock drafts have been recently overwhelmed with three names: Eddie Lacy, Tyler Eifert, and Jonathan Cyprien. Sure, there is definitely a chance that one of these trending players lands in Green and Gold after the first round on Thursday, but I think there is greater reason to believe that these three do not fit the Ted Thompson bill.

I have given some reasons why these popular prospects are very intriguing, but also why I believe that they will not be the Packers’ first round addition in this year’s draft.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Lacy – RB, Alabama
Why he makes sense: The Packers could certainly use some help at the running back position. DuJuan Harris has yet to show that he can be “the guy” in the backfield. Lacy is a proven back that played in a respected college system. He could come in and contribute on day one.
Why he doesn’t: Ted Thompson has never selected a running back in the first round. In fact, he has only selected three running backs …  ever. Lacy was not used as much of a receiving running back at Alabama – something that the Packers would surely hope to do in their offense. It has also been reported that Lacy’s workouts have been underwhelming to NFL scouts.
Summary: He doesn’t seem like a TT kind of first round pick to me. He may not be a great fit in the Packer’s offense. There may be a better fit in a later round.

Tyler Eifert – TE, Notre Dame
Why he makes sense: The packers are paying a lot of money to Mr. Finley for so-so production. Finley has great potential, but has been plagued by injury and drops. His commitment to donate to Boston for every dropped ball is commendable, but it also has the possibility of being incredibly generous if he can’t get the drops under control. It would be ideal to have someone else to replace Finley after this season. It would also be a nightmare for defenses to try to defend Eifert and Finley at the same time. Eifert is ranked in the top 15 on some boards. He could be a great value pick for the Packers at No. 26.
Why he doesn’t: The Packers have actually shown a little bit more interest in Stanford’s Zack Ertz, who is likely not a first round TE. There is also a fear that Eifert could be the second coming of Greg Olsen. Olsen is a good TE, but nothing spectacular. Eifert’s ceiling could be lower than some other players available at No. 26. With Finley in place, the TE position is not a pressing need.
Summary: The tight end position could very well be addressed in this draft, but I would guess that it does not happen in the first round.

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Cyprien – S, Florida International
Why he makes sense: Cyprien has seemingly come out of nowhere this spring. Many analysts have him shooting up draft charts, landing somewhere in the first round. The Packers could definitely use some help at the safety position opposite of Morgan Burnett. Cyprien is certainly one of the most intriguing physical specimens in the draft and would be an asset in run support. He could bring a needed nastiness to the Green Bay defense.
Why he doesn’t: Ted Thompson is all about value. It is possible that he could fall in love with Cyprien, but it is also worth noting that Eric Reid and Matt Elam are both receiving similar grades. Reid might be the best athlete and Elam might be the most complete safety, while only lacking ideal size. Cyprien is from a smaller school that did not face the consistent competition that other schools do. Some scouts have mentioned that they are not sure that Cyprien dominated the way that he should have in his conference.

Summary: Ted Thompson is notorious for mining small schools for great value. I’m just not sure that he does it in the first round with Cyprien. Elam and Reid seem to fit the TT bill a little bit better than Cyprien. This is especially true if one of them can still be had after a trade back into the early second round, which would not be a shocking move for TT to make.

Again, any of these players could be great additions to the Packers in the first round of this year’s draft, but reason and Thompson draft experience seems to suggest that this might not be the case. Thursday will tell the whole story.

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.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) catches a pass against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ha

A sampling of today’s NFL Mock Drafts for the Green Bay Packers takes me to highlight three mocks that provide us with projections for three different picks:

JOSH NORRIS of rotoworld.com:

Josh gives us safety Matt Elam of Florida.

Charlie Campbell of Walterfootball.com:

Charlie projects wide receiver Keenan Allen of California

 

 

 

 

Walterfootball.com gives us tight end Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame.

Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Interesting picks, I must say. Where’s the defensive lineman? Where’s the running back? Where’s the offensive lineman. While Ted Thompson will have the final say, everyone most recently has projected Barrett Jones as the best fit for the Packers. He’s a blue collar, intelligent football player who can man at least three different spots along the line – a factor that we know TT likes.

However, a lis franc foot injury that required surgery just before the Combine may have resulted in Jones slipping in the draft. In fact, the Packers may still have a shot at him in the second or third round, which makes these three projections even more interesting.

Looking at Norris’s pick of Elam, he admits he’s not sold on the safety, but admits there are many who are. Elam has been compared to 49ers safety Donte Whitner, an apt comparison because “Elam has played in the slot but is on the small side and struggles in coverage at times as a result.”

California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21).
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not sold on this pick either, especially as a first-rounder.

However, looking at the other two picks here – Keenan Allen and Tyler Eifert – I like them. With the Packers most likely losing Greg Jennings to free agency, the pick of a receiver here would be smart. However, it’s not like TT to draft a receiver this high. He usually waits until at least the second or third round to consider the wideout.

Allen may be too good to pass up, however. With good size, 6-2, 215 pounds, Allen is built for success, especially if he’s teamed up with someone like Aaron Rodgers. The connection could be dynamic.

The same could be said about Eifert. The Golden Domer is another solid receiver with impressive size and speed. He is 6-6, 251 pounds and ran the 40 at the Combine in 4.68 seconds; had 22 reps in the bench press; jumped 35.5 inches in the vertical leap; broad jumped 119 inches; ran a 6.92 in the three-cone drill; 4.32 in the 20 yard shuffle; and a 11.52-second in the 60-yard shuffle. Those were all bests among this year’s tight ends.

So, what are your thoughts on these three projections?

Should the Packers go D-line? O-line? Running back?

Throw some of your own projections our way.