Green Bay Packers Draft: Wednesday’s Big 3
Nov 19, 2011; Stanford CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) catches a pass over Stanford Cardinal cornerback Johnson Bademosi (27) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday’s news that the Green Bay Packers were poised to make good on a contract extension for quarterback Aaron Rodgers was met with smiles across Packers Nation – if it is indeed true, that will be a great day.
Today, Chris Canty, a free agent released recently by the New York Giants, will be at 1265 Lambeau Avenue for a visit with the Packers. Anytime a free agent pays a visit to Green Bay, that’s also big news. We’ll be watching any developments with that situation closely,
But in the meantime, we continue to focus on the Draft with today’s daily Big 3.
We here at lombardiave.com have been scouring the Internet in search of mock drafts to include in our Big 3 – three different mocks with three different selections. As we move along with each passing day, it gets more difficult to find mocksters who aren’t projecting the same selections … but we continue to find those who have differing projections. Some of you may think these guys are crazy for their picks, but it certainly makes the comment section a lively read.
So, we turn to our Big 3 selected today by Draftbreakdown.com’s Jimmy O’Brien, Draftbreakdown.com’s Jon Dove, and Blake over at Newnfldraft.com.
Jimmy O’Brien of Draftbreakdown.com projects the Green Bay Packers first round selection as …
"With the release of Charles Woodson, and the revolving door at running back, The Pack are sure to add talent in both the offensive and defensive backfields. However, in round one, the better value is at defensive tackle, where Short is a stout, sturdy run defender, who is sneaky quick as a pass rusher. Short joins 2012 draftees Jerel Worthy and Nick Perry, forming an impressive infusion of young talent to go along with Clay Matthews along the front in Packers News."
Lombardiave: Kawann Short is an interesting selection for the Packers and would offer a possible solution to the lack of depth the team is experiencing this offseason. With it a fact that Jerel Worthy probably won’t make it back onto the field until the halfway mark of 2013, if then, it’s important that the Packers shore up its D-line. Ted Thompson is making those attempts through free agency this offseason, but that’s always problematic, so if the Packers can also add depth with someone like Short in the draft, that would be a plus. The 6-3 300-pounder from Purdue might be one of those who will be on the board at 26 and he’s the best player in Thompson’s eye, don’t be surprised by this pick.
Here’s a video of Kawann Short …
Blake of The New NFL Draft projects the Packers first round selection as …
Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, California.
"Greg Jennings is a free agent and Jones, Cobb, and Nelson are not number one receivers’ with Allen’s hands and route running he is a legit number 1 receiver and will make the Packer’s offense even better."
Lombardiave: Yes, the Packers already have depth at the receiver position, but like defensive backs, one can never have a shortage of quality recovers in this pass-happy league and especially on this pass-happy team. The losses of Greg Jennings to free agency and Donald Driver to retirement leaves the Packers short of experience and production – at least as far as Jennings goes. Allen is a huge talent – so huge that I just don’t see him available at this point in the draft. However, stranger things have happened in the past, but I frankly don’t see Allen getting through the first 25 picks without some wide receiver-hungry team snatching him up. The Vikings come to mind. But if he were still on the board, I would expect this pick to be a no-brainer for Thompson. Allen is a speedster who goes and gets the ball. Great hands, great speed and a natural fit to the Packers system. He’s a definite first-rounder. I just don’s see him still on the board for the Packers.
Here’s a video of Keenan Allen …
Jon Dove of Draft Breakdown projects the Green Bay Packers first round pick as …
Dallas Thomas – OG/OT – Tennessee
"In order for the Packers to sustain their success, they must do everything possible to protect Aaron Rodgers."
Lombardiave: Dove is correct – the Packers have got to add depth along the offensive line and he would be an excellent choice – and may be one of those players still on the board at 26. However, he may also be one of those players who may still be on the board in the second round for the Packers to pluck up at that point. If the Packers are going to select an offensive lineman, I still think that they would go with someone who might be able to slide into the center position. Yes, Evan Dietrich-Smith is penciled into that spot, but he’s got to earn it. He finished out the season starting for the Packers at center, but didn’t burn up the field doing it. Would Thomas be one of those players who might compete for a guard or center spot? Maybe, but that’s Thompson’s call. I would rather see the Packers go with a Jonathan Cooper, Barrett Jones or even D.J. Fluker if they are going to go with an offensive lineman with this first round selection.
Here’s a video of Dallas Thomas …