The Packers find themselves back in the top ten for the first time since 2006 when they selected linebacker A.J. Hawk.  It appears with the switch to the 3-4 defense, the Packers will go defense again in the top 10.  With Ted Thompson calling the shots, I wouldn’t rule anything out.  If I’m calling the shots, I go for Brian Orakpo and pick him if he’s available.    It’s no secret (or it would be if I posted more…I apologize) that I love Orakpo.  Even if he is a workout warrior, I feel his skill set could transition very well into Dom Capers‘ 3-4 scheme.  He gives the Packers a body opposite Aaron Kampman that can do serious damage to the quarterback.  He wants the sacks, and he’ll get them.  It will obviously take him time to develop, but the defense will need time to develop too, creating a great match.

After Orakpo, having B.J. Raji drop into the Packers’ lap would be nearly as good.  Picking up Raji would be great for a currently-overmatched defensive line.  Throwing his big body down in the trenches would clog space and free up Nick Barnett and whoever else plays in the middle for the Packers next year (Desmond Bishop? Brandon Chillar? A.J. Hawk?).  There is question about Raji’s character and reported failed drug test at the combine which could deter Thompson who loves his high character guys.  Also, many mocks have Raji going #8 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The sexy mock draft pick for the Packers is Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.  It seems like nearly every mock has the Packers picking up the Buckeye with the “Al Harris and Charles Woodson are old; they need fresh blood” reasoning, ignoring the fact Tramon Williams had a great season in 2008 filling in for an injured Harris and Thompson drafted Pat Lee last year.  We all remember how everyone had the Packers picking one of a plethora of cornerbacks last year.  And what did they do?  Traded out of the first round and picked wide receiver Jordy Nelson.  I didn’t see that one coming.  At all.  I don’t really see that big of a reason for the Packers to pick Jenkins.  If Orakpo and Raji are gone, then sure, Ted, go for it.  But please don’t take Jenkins over one of those two.

If all three of the aforementioned players are gone, I see the Packers taking Florida State defensive end Everette Brown.  He’s shooting up draft boards.  In the later rounds on defense, Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson is an athletic freak and could definitely be a second round pick if his stock keeps dropping like I hear it is.  At defensive tackle, Evander Hood, Ron Brace, and Sen’Derrick Marks are the top picks for the Packers, based on where they are projected to go, as late-first round or second-round picks.  Tyson Jackson from LSU has had his name floated around the Packers due to his versatility on the defensive line, while Robert Ayers has been named as a possibility.  Although with Ayers, we all remember what happened last time Thompson took a defensive lineman from Tennessee with a high pick…yeah, let’s not go there.

After Orakpo, none of the other highly touted linebackers (USC’s threesome, James Laurenaitis) really seem to fit the MO the Packers want to have their defense to have.  Also, the secondary is ridiculously crowded, so I see Jenkins as the only legitimate pickup for that group.  All of this being said, if the Packers go defense at #9, they better get a #98 jersey ready for Orakpo.

1. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College – Raji is a big space-filling defensive tackle that the Packers need to anchor their 3-4 defense for years to come.  Raji can move (5.13 40) for a big man and showed talent while in college.  The 6-1, 337-pound defensive lineman also said he hoped he was on the Packers radar for the draft.

2. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas –  With the Packers looking for a hybrid DE/OLB, Orakpo could join a great linebacking corps.  He is a menace to opposing tackles and his only goal is to get to the quarterback and take him down.  This is the type of aggression the Packers need on their defense, a gamer that can team with Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, and Aaron Kampman.

3. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – I’m not too fond of the Packers drafting Jenkins at No. 9 as I feel there is enough depth in the defensive backfield and the Packers can probably pick up an additional corner later in the draft, much like what they did with Pat Lee last year.  Also, Jenkins’ combine performance was disappointing, which raises some questions about him.

4. Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State – Some say that Brown is a little too small for a 3-4 scheme, but he has shown he is smart enough to play in it.  He is raw athletically and can make plays wherever he is lined up on the field and has been forecasted by some as a Top 5 talent.

5. Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech – The first word that comes to mind when Johnson is mentioned is freak.  At 6-7, 266, he has intimidating size that could definitely come in to play when playing in the 3-4.  He is freakishly athletic, as I saw him make some amazing plays in college at Tech.  He was the juggernaut of that defense, rushing the quarterback, stopping the run, and even dropping into coverage.  His versatility could make him very desirable for the Packers at No. 9, even though I have seen some mock drafts without him in the first round.

Tune in next week for the revised top five, based on happenings, as free agency starts tomorrow!