2013 NFL Mock Draft: The Green Bay Packers Select…
By Bill Walton
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. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The April 22nd Edition of the FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been released.
FanSided.com has posted a new mock draft every week since the end of last season. We at LombardiAve.com have been posting our own mock drafts every week as well. Many of the players we’ve mentioned in previous mock draft posts have worked out for the NFL scouts, some multiple times, and opinions are being formed that will determine the draft –day fates of hundreds of football players.
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 draft.
We know that the Packers, absent trades, pick 26th in the first round. The only real unknowns left are which player the Packers will draft at 26 overall and what moves Ted Thompson might make to trade up or down to improve the Packers’ draft fortunes.
The latest FanSided mock draft goes two rounds deep. Here’s what they think the Packers will do.
Sep 3, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman DJ Fluker (76) warms up prior to the game against the Kent State Flashes at Bryant Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Flashes 48-7. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
According to FanSided, with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select DJ Fluker, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
FanSided analysis: The Packers want to get more physical, so what better way than to bring in one of the most physical and dominating run blockers in this year’s draft.
Dec 1, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers safety P.J. Smith (13) during the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
According to FanSided, with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin
(No FanSided analysis provided)
I really don’t think this is how the first two rounds will shake out. Fluker is a road grader (but not an elite pass blocker) and Ball is a TD machine, but I think Fluker will be gone by the time the Packers pick in the first and Ball might not be worthy of a second round pick. I’d rather see the Packers go pure OT first then go after some D line help.
In my last mock draft I put some philosophical things out there about what the Packers need and many agreed with my thoughts. To summarize, the Packers need larger, more physical bodies (especially on defense) and a mindset change from speed and finesse to power and toughness. I’m not saying the Packers aren’t tough but lots of others are saying exactly that. I think they need to be tougher on both sides of the football though. So please Ted Thompson…no more short, fast guys. The Packers need length and strength.
So here we go again Packer Nation- once more with feeling before the real thing starts on Thursday night in New York!
Packers 2013 Mock Draft:
September 29, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is congratulated by offensive linesman Menelik Watson (71) after they scored a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1. (26) Menelik Watson, OT, FSU. Watson is an athlete and has legitimate right OT talent. Given the problems the Packers have had at left tackle over the last couple of years it makes sense that taking Watson would allow Bulaga to move to LT. I think Watson is a better pass blocker with more upside than the other tackles currently graded by the experts as first round talent. ALTERNATE: Kyle Long, OT, Oregon. Another athlete who can move and has a great bloodline.
Oct 27, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Memphis Tigers offensive linesman Al Bond (54) faces Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive end Margus Hunt (92) during the game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Mustangs defeated the Tigers 44-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2. (55) Margus Hunt, DE, SMU. Let’s talk about length. Hunt is another athlete with 6-8 length and flexibility to play 3-4 DE or OLB. He has a frame that could carry some more weight but I’m not sure he needs it. He’s certainly strong enough (38 press reps at the Combine). Many compare him to some of the top DEs already in the league. Hunt would make a nice addition to go along with Perry or Matthews on the outside. ALTERNATE: Tank Carradine, DE, FSU. Carradine probably won’t last until this deep in the second round, but if he does and Hunt’s not on the board the Packers should snap him up.
3. (88) Barrett Jones, C / G / OT, Alabama. Jones’ draft stock has dropped precipitously since Alabama won the BCS Championship, but he’s the type of guy the Packers like and his flexibility also makes him a multiplier for the O line. His recovery from post-season lisfranc surgery is on track. The Packers have gambled on players who had injuries coming out of college before, and lost, but Jones’ upsides are worth taking a shot on him. ALTERNATE: David Quessenberry, C / G, San Jose State. Quessenberry is another flexible O lineman with length and strength who belongs on the Packers’ roster.
September 22, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore (21) makes a long gain on a reception against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
4. (122) Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina. Yes…Lattimore is a risky pick indeed but if he pans out the Packers will have addressed a pressing need and he’d be the best story in the NFL this year. Granted Risk is not exactly Ted Thompson’s middle name but taking Lattimore here is the right place to get him if the Packers want him. Lattimore can also catch, which seems to be a skill lacking in the current stable of Packers RBs. ALTERNATE: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin. Many experts seem to think Ball might last this long in the draft. If he does, and the Packers don’t believe Lattimore is worth the risk, Ball would seem to be a no-brainer here.
5. (159) Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech. Davis is a large (6-3 233) receiver with good speed (4.55) for a guy his size. He’s also got big hands to help him battle for the ball and long arms to help him battle out of jams at the line of scrimmage. He could develop into an Anquan Boldin-type receiver. The Packers already have the best three WR lineup in the league in Jones, Nelson, and Cobb, but Davis would be able to add toughness and be more than a suitable replacement for the departed Jennings. ALTERNATE: Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon. Mellete is a small school guy with 6-2 216 size and good speed with ball skills.
September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Kwame Geathers (99) tackles Tennessee Volunteers running back Rajion Neal (20) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
5. (167- compensatory) Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia. At 6-5 and 343, Geathers is a load and would bring toughness and attitude to a DL that seems to need some of both. A truly immovable object, he was part of a rotating D line group at Georgia but would need to be prepared to play more often as part of the Packers’ D line. While he might not be an immediate impact player being able to grab Geathers at this position would be a good get for the Packers. ALTERNATE: Nicholas Williams, DE, Samford. Williams has the size (6-4 309) to play 3-4 DE or he could be one of the situational subs the Packers like to use when they’re in nickel or dime defenses.
6. (193) Travis Long, ILB / OLB, Washington State. Long has played both inside and outside LB. I see him moving inside for the Packers. At 6-3 256 he can stand up to the run and he tackles and bats passes. He also sacks quarterbacks and tackles for loss. His experience as a standup OLB also makes him flexible…a Packers LB requirement. ALTERNATE: Jonathan Stewart, ILB, Texas A&M. Another new-breed (taller / larger) Packers ILB candidate at 6-3 244, Stewart led the Aggies in tackles last season. He does it all.
Nov 10, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Brandon Terry (86) defends after North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Brandan Bishop (30) made the successful interception during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
7. (232) Brandon Bishop, S, North Carolina State. Bishop has size (6-2 205) and decent speed (4.60) as well as a nose for the football. What the Packers seem to lack in the defensive backfield Bishop can help provide. He tackles too- over 100 times last season. ALTERNATE: Vaughn Telemaque, S, Miami. With similar size and speed to Bishop (6-2 211 and 4.59), Telemaque is considered more of a project but we all know you can’t coach size. Or speed. These guys both have what it takes.
That’s it for this week Packer Nation. Let me know what you think of my all-big, all-tough draft. Of course Ted Thompson will probably see things I don’t. He’ll most likely wheel and deal some mid-round picks simply because the middle rounds in this draft are unusually well-stocked with good players. One thing’s for certain though- The Packers have needs. Whether the front office addresses them via the draft or undrafted free agents, their work is cut out for them.
We’ll be featuring draft-related stories all week long on LombardiAve.com.com so watch for them!
Go Pack GO!
Don’t forget to check out the entire mock at FanSided NFL 2013 Mock Draft