Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy might be considered by the Packers, but he doesn’t seem like the complete back the Packers need.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Brutal honesty is a fine trait and I commend Mike Tanier of Sports on Earth for his this morning after browsing (or sneaking a peek, as he would say) at his mock draft that utilizes not only his own expertise, but those from other mocksters from across the Internet.

What he’s put together for us is a first round mock draft by the percentages – taking all of the drafts he feels are good representations and developing his own based on the players mentioned most by each team. While he posts the name of the player who has been mentioned most as that team’s pick, he also provides the two others who have also been listed on other mock drafts.

Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert is the consensus pick for the Packers.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

For instance, for the Green Bay Packers, 25 of the mocks out there project Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert as the consensus pick, but also mentions Eddie Lacy, 18 percent; and Matt Elam with 18 percent. In his description, Tanier makes excellent points in describing why neither Eifert nor Lacy make good choices for the Packers.

Here’s what he has to say:

Running back is an obvious need for the Packers, but Lacy feels like a bad fit (he’s a poor receiver), and the Packers subscribe to the theory that quality running backs can be found in later rounds, or in free agency, or bussing tables somewhere. Eifert also feels like a square peg with the Packers, who use their tight end more like a spread offense possession receiver. Ogletree and Watson also got votes. [Menelik] Watson is the kind of unique player (he’s a power forward-turned-left tackle) that Ted Thompson might be tempted to reach for.

My gut tends to agree with Tanier, but my head is also wrapped around a player who is not mentioned at all here … Giovani Bernard. For some reason, I feel Ted Thompson may buck the trend this year and reach for an impact running back like Bernard – an explosive back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. We all know how hard the Packers pursued Steven Jackson. Clearly, they did that for a reason – because they feel strongly that they need to add to their offensive firepower, especially in the backfield. Bernard may be the answer.

But as the debate continues, check out Tanier’s consensus mock draft. Check out the other NFC North teams and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below, liking us on Facebook and/or following us on Twitter.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish former player Tyler Eifert is interviewed during Notre Dame pro day at the Loftus Center. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports photograph

I guess anything is possible when one starts considering the direction Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson will take in the NFL Draft, but the closer we get to the D-Day (Draft Day) the more I’m convinced a tight end will not be the first round selection for the team.

But why are so many mock draft composers out there in love with the Tyler Eifert-to-Green Bay pick? Take a trip around the Internet and you will find many, including walterfootball.com, who are projecting Eifert going to Green Bay.

I don’t see it.

Jermichael Finley stiff-arms Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon after catching a pass at Lambeau Field.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Number one, Mike McCarthy loves Jermichael Finley – he’s said so more than once – and he’s going to do everything in his power to keep him around after this, Finley’s final season under contract with the Packers.

Number two, the Packers have Andrew Quarless and D.J. Williams in reserve roles and Ryan Taylor, the special teams ace, already on the roster.

Number three, the Packers have too many other more important holes to fill before even thinking about a tight end. Consider offensive line, defensive line and safety among those needs.

As for Finley, he was the Packers most proficient pass-catcher the second half of last year behind Randall Cobb. His value, despite the angst he causes the fans, is astronomical for the Packers. Yes, his salary is third highest, at this point among those players on the roster, but he is also instrumental in the Packers offensive success.

Yes, there are times he disappears from the statistics, but that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t felt. He draws double-teams and occupies space in the middle of the field to open up sideline routes and running  back routes. He’s a talent that must be accounted for on the field – a value that McCarthy feels is important to making his system go.

So, why not draft Eifert or another tight end?

Because I feel the Packers are going to try to commit long-term to Finley. His upside is too huge to let him walk … and even if they don’t commit long-term, they still have him for one more year to allow them to take the time to continue to develop the players in-house.

Even more importantly, there is no imminent need to draft a tight end if the Packers lose Finley after this upcoming season, they can then take the steps to address the situation.

There is no need at this point and I feel Thompson will see it that way, too.

The April Fools 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 are making their final impressions on NFL teams, 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.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) catches a pass defended by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) during the first half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Elfert was ruled out of bounds on the play. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

According to FanSided, with the 26^th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Tyler Eifert, Tight End, Notre Dame

Analysis: Green Bay needs help up front, but another way to help Aaron Rodgers would be to get him a capable tight end for the future. Jermichael Finely is sticking around for now it seems, but he’s not a long term option anymore as animosity grows. Eifert gives Rodgers his Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, and that makes him even more dangerous than he was before. Menelik Watson and other offensive lineman will be available on the second day for the Packers to flirt with, but Eifert won’t be and if they want to help Rodgers, they’ll get him a giant tight end.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) catches a touchdown pass while being defended by San Diego Chargers safety Steve Gregory (28) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

This mock draft makes a lot of assumptions about the Packers’ relationship with Jermichael Finley. Primarily, it assumes that Finley and the Packers have become acrimonious towards one another.

While fans may be growing more spiteful toward Finley, there’s not enough evidence to suggest such is the case with the front office. Such an argument is even harder to make when the deadline for Finley’s roster bonus came and passed without any real chance of a renegotiation or release.

If fans can put down their pitchforks for a minute, they’d realize what good news this is. After Randall Cobb, Finley was the Packers’ best pass catcher the second half of the season, catching 33 passes for 402 yards while dropping zero balls. With Greg Jennings leaving via free agency, Finley should see his usage spike.

That doesn’t necessarily mean drafting a tight end early is a bad move for the Packers, however. After all, Finley’s contract expires following the 2013 season. Should Finley have a big year, it’s possible he’ll have priced himself out of Green Bay.

Alternatively, if Finley has a bad year or is injured, Packers GM Ted Thompson could choose to let the tight end walk. In either of those scenarios, a replacement would be needed. The in-house options – D.J. Williams and Andrew Quarless – have shown promise, yet neither has provided bankable production in the passing game so far. Thus, it’s easy to see where a talented rookie tight end might find a niche with Green Bay.

San Diego State Aztecs tight end Gavin Escobar (88) catches a 29 yard pass while defended by Army Black Knights defensive back Lyle Beloney (15) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

That said, I don’t think Tyler Eifert is that guy. His athleticism, while more than average, doesn’t stand out the way a first round tight end should. His best attribute is his ability to high point the ball on his jumps, but that’s his lone exceptional quality.

Considering that Aaron Rodgers’ passes rarely require fantastic feats of athleticism to bring down, the value of that ability is diminished. More importantly, there are several tight ends of comparable quality who should be on the board much later.

Zach Ertz is a comparable body tight with similar athleticism, and probably would be an ideal target should the Packers trade out of the first round. If the Packers stay in the first round, San Diego State’s Gavin Escobar should still be around at their second pick. Escobar possesses comparable athleticism and college production to Eifert and Ertz, but at a much lower cost.

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) tries to avoid a tackle by Purdue Boilermakers defensive tackle Kawann Short (93) quarter at Memorial Stadium. Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Since we’ve discussed receivers, running backs, safeties, and offensive lineman to death, here are some defensive lineman that might intrigue the Packers.

Kawann Short is an impressive specimen at 6-3, 299 pounds. Because of his long arms, Short batted down 11 passes at Purdue. He also blocked four kicks. What Short mainly gets docked for is his motor, which isn’t always running in top gear.

That’s not uncommon for defensive lineman, and given Short’s production in college that shouldn’t be too much of a worry. His stock is thought to be rising, so he might be gone by 26.

UNC’s Sylvester Williams is another talented but inconsistent lineman who would fit in the Packers’ 3-4. Williams, who played defensive tackle in the Tar Heels’ 4-3, notched six sacks in 2012. The catalyst for that impressive production is his swim move which should translate to the next level. Unfortunately, he’s a one trick pony at this stage of his career. While Williams should develop into a very good player, he may be too much of a project in round one.

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins (52) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State defeated Indiana 52-49. Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Finally we come to Ohio State’s Johnathan Hankins. Hankins is one of the true nose tackle prospects in his draft class, and accordingly may be snatched up early. Should he last to Green Bay, Hankins would immediately allow graybeard Ryan Pickett to reduce his snap count. Hankins would also solidify B.J. Raji’s move from nose tackle to 3-4 end. More than anything, Hankins would be a plus defender against the run. With Adrian Peterson not likely to slow down in 2013, adding another beefy defensive lineman could be a wise move.

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.

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.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert might be a target for the Green Bay Packers.

The Green Bay Packers enter the NFL Draft with many needs, many holes and many questions.

Today, we’ll start with one question, and some possible answers – if you agree, and if you disagree, let me know. I write these draft alerts as a conversation and hope you, the reader, will respond with your own questions and answers.

Jermichael Finley is due nearly $4.5 million tomorrow, Sunday, March 27. So far today, March 26, there’s been no discussion, no blog posts and most importantly, no word from the Packers’ or Finley’s camps about the status of that big wad of money projected to land in his bank account.

That’s probably a good thing for Finley. Most likely, the talented, but mercurial tight end will be locked up to fulfill the final season of a two-year contract with the Packers.

But today’s questions are whether the Packers have any intention of inking Finley to another extension – this one being a long-term contract that would keep him in Green Bay for at least 3-5 more years. So, will the Packers commit to Finley and more importantly, will they utilize either their first or second round draft picks on a tight end?

With the defection of Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings and the fact that the Packers have been nonexistent in free agency, I feel that Finley will be retained. Head Coach Mike McCarthy has been too high on the young tight end the past couple of months and General Manager Ted Thompson hasn’t said anything to make one think that they will eject Finley.

Though Bob McGinn wrote months ago that that Packers were going to part ways with Finley, to date it hasn’t happened and with time running tight on the deadline, it appears they won’t pull the trigger on a release or trade.

So, if the Packers keep Finley for one more season, what are their options for the future? They allowed back Tom Crabtree to sign with Tampa Bay and it doesn’t seem McCarthy is sky high about any of the other backups – Andrew Quarless, D.J. Williams, and Ryan Taylor – so do the Packers look to this year’s draft for tight end? And if so, do they look to the first couple of rounds for a top-notch candidate?

San Diego State Aztecs tight end Gavin Escobar
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

If they do, two pop to the forefront: Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert and Stanford’s Zach Ertz.

Both are superb athletes who would fit will into the Packers system, though Eifert, athletically, took the lead in draft position by his performance at the Combine.

Depending upon how much stock you put into the Combine numbers, Eifert does seem to be the top choice, but there are plenty of other tight end-hungry teams that may snatch him up before the Packers’ pick at #26. Would they trade up for Eifert? That’s doubtful. In fact, I am doubtful the Packers would draft a tight end with their first pick. They are most likely to go offensive or defensive line or possibly even a safety.

So if we’re looking into the second or third rounds for a tight end, then Ertz becomes a possibility, but so do players such as Jordan Reed of Florida, Gavin Escobar of San Diego State, Travis Kelce of Cincinnati or even Ryan Otten of San Jose State.

If the Packers do indeed have a tight end in their sights for a first round pick, the safe selection would be Eifert. He’s the whole package. However, if the Packers wait until the second or third round to address the position, then they most likely will be choosing from among the likes of Escobar, Kelce, and Otten.

Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce
Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

If I were general manager, I would hold on a tight end into the second or third round and would target either Escobar or Kelce. Escobar is the more polished receiver, but is a project when it comes to run blocking, while Kelce is the opposite – he’s a fierce blocker, but a project in developing as a pass-catching tight end. If the Packers want a tight end who catches the ball well, but need work in blocking, then they go with someone like Escobar.

Or they just roll the dice and go first round and hope that either Eifert or Ertz are available.

Either way, in my opinion, Finley will be gone after 2013, so the Packers need to draft a tight end replacement if they want their offense to continue to click as seemlessly as it has in the past.

Your thoughts?

Leave a comment below, on our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.

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.

 

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The Week 15 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 while we at LombardiAve.com have the end of the regular season and playoffs to worry about, it’s just about the start of draft season for most teams. We Packer fans have our own opinions about what needs the Packers should try to fill using the 2013 draft. In this article we’ll explore some possibilities for the Packers first pick.

Draft positions will shuffle some the remainder of the season, so the Packers position in round 1 will probably move around a bit. Here’s hoping that it ends up being the 32^nd pick in round 1!

According to FanSided, with the 27^th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select:

Oct 13, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal cornerbacks Devon Carrington (5) and Terrence Brown (6) at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Stanford in overtime 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

“Tyler Eifert, Tight End, Notre Dame”

Analysis: Reports came out this week that the Packers have decided it will be best to part ways with tight end Jermichael Finley after the season. Without Finley, the team will need to find a replacement and there is no better option than Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert. Eifert is an all-around tight end that can stay in to block, but his strength comes when he creates mismatches down the field.

Predicting the players that Ted Thompson will draft is an extremely difficult challenge. Thompson’s big board challenges conventional wisdom more than most any other general manager, and he never, ever deviates from it. It’s all about value, value, value.

And while Tyler Eifert is likely the first tight end selected if he forgoes his final year at Notre Dame, there is little to no chance the Packers select him in round one.

This selection is predicated on last week’s report that Jermichael Finley will depart following the season. While that very well may happen, Green Bay is one of the tightest lipped organizations in sports. The notion that such a major move would be leaked before the end of the season is pretty preposterous.

Furthermore, even if we take it as gospel that Finley will no longer be with the team after 2012, this draft pick makes little sense. Under Thompson, the Packers have drafted four tight ends, and all but one of them was taken in the 5^th round or later. That lone exception was the aforementioned Finley who was considered a mid-second round talent that landed to the Packers at the very end of the third round. That history suggests it’ll take a tremendous value to make Thompson pull the trigger on a tight end before the late rounds, and Tyler Eifert does not represent that value in round one.

So who will the Packers select? As amazing as it seems, the Packers may have some vacancies at wide receiver. Greg Jennings will be a free agent, and given Thompson’s approach to veteran players over 30, most assume Jennings will not be in the green and gold in 2013. Donald Driver is even more likely playing his last year, as not only can he no longer get open, he has no special teams value. That leaves Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones as the only wideouts on the squad with any meaningful experience.

Now, Thompson has never drafted a receiver in the first round, but he has drafted them early and often. Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, and Terrence Murphy were all drafted in the second round, with Jones being a third round pick. Thompson has also shown that he’ll draft receiver when nobody expects it, as exemplified by Cobb’s and Nelson’s selections.

Based on who was still available in the week 15 FanSided mock draft, the Packers could target West Virginia’s Tavon Austin, Tennessee’s Justin Hunter, or USC’s Robert Woods.

December 1, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Tavon Austin (1) rushes the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the third quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 59-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Austin was ultra-productive for three years, averaging over 1,000 yards receiving over that span. He’s also been a great returner in both the kickoff and punt game, netting 2,765 total return yards and five touchdown returns in his collegiate career. However, he’s an undersized receiver and plays mostly from the slot. Given that Cobb will be handling slot duty for the foreseeable future, Austin’s productivity may be limited in Green Bay. That said, if Cobb is going to be the Packers number one receiver going forward, it makes sense to bring in another electric returner to take Cobb’s place on special teams.

Hunter is a much taller receiver at 6-4. He’s expected to run the 40 in the high 4.4 to 4.5 range, which is great speed for that size. His issue is that of consistent production, which is a nice way of saying he’s a one year wonder. In his first two years at Tennessee, he never put up more than 415 yards. Now in his third year, he’s caught more balls for more yards than the rest of his career combined. He also has as many touchdowns this year as he’s had in the rest of his time at Tennessee. Traditionally, this is not the kind of receiver Thompson targets.

October 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) catches a touchdown in the first half of the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Woods is the most interesting of the bunch. He holds all the meaningful receiving records at USC, an accomplishment that cannot be overstated. At 6-1 with an estimated mid-to-high 4.4, 40 time, Woods has the ideal size and speed for McCarthy’s version of the West Coast offense. He also possesses great hands and has had unreal production during his college career, the latter being of little surprise given his plethora of USC records. I would be very surprised if he’s still available when the Packers pick, and even more surprised if Thompson were to pass on him should he be left on the board.

Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide center Barrett Jones (75) in action with quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Another direction the Packers may go is center. Jeff Saturday has been shaky at times this year and he’ll be 38 at the start of the 2013 season. The Packers haven’t taken a center earlier than the third round under Thompson, but they’ve tried to do so before. Most recently, the Packers targeted Kevin Zeitler as their center of the future. Heading in the 2012 draft, it was widely rumored that Thompson would have taken Zeitler and moved him from guard to center had he not been selected one pick earlier by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Should the Packers lean this direction again, Alabama’s Barrett Jones would make a fine addition. He’s the reigning Outland Trophy winner, and has the versatility to play any position along the line. At 6-5, he provides much greater power than the Packers have had at center since the days of Mike Flanagan. Having a big center to place between T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton could make all the difference in the Packers’ running game.

Don’t forget to check out the entire mock at FanSided 2013 Mock Draft.