Look for Green Bay Packers to Shine on Day Three of the NFL Draft

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) runs against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

After selecting defensive end, Datone Jones, from UCLA and running back, Eddie Lacy, from Alabama, it looks like the Green Bay Packers are assembling a pretty good draft so far. Well, expect a lot more from Ted Thompson and his crew on day three of the NFL Draft.

After several day two trades (so complicated the details will give you a headache) the Packers will be going into day three of the draft armed with 10 picks.

Yes, I said 10 picks!

OK, maybe that is not enough to get you excited about rounds 4-7 of the draft, but you should be excited, especially if you are a Packers fan. This is a deep draft with still plenty of talent left on the board, and finding great players in later rounds is Thompson’s calling card.

Simply put, day three of the draft is Thompson’s day. It’s his time to shine and really work his magic. Expect Green Bay to find considerable value and talent on day three.

Now, what will the Packers do with those 10 picks? Maybe they use them as ammunition to trade up and get the players they really like, or maybe they take more bites out of the apple and add more depth and competition at various positions on the roster.

It should be interesting to watch unfold. The Packers still need to add depth at offensive line, safety, wide receiver, outside linebacker, and defensive line. I could also seem them adding another tight end and possibly a quarterback later on.

Let’s look at a few players at these positions Green Bay may target on day three of the draft.

Senior Bowl north squad offensive lineman David Quessenberry of San Jose State. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

The Packers desperately need to add depth to the offensive line. They may not need to find immediate starters, but they need to add competion at left tackle and center and find depth at guard. Look for versatile players, like Alabama’s Barrett Jones and San Jose State’s David Quessenberry, to help Green Bay solidify their offensive line. Both these players can play multiple positions on the line, and whereas Jones projects more to be an NFL guard or center, Quessenberry has the measurables (6-5, 302 pounds) and quick feet to play left tackle.

Safety

It seems many of the top safeties are off the board after the first two days, but there are still several players left with potential playmaking ability. Green Bay missed out on D.J. Swearinger in the second round and J.J. Wilcox in the third, but if a guy, like Fresno State’s Philip Thomas, falls to Green Bay in the fourth, expect them to take him without hesitation. I have been high on Thomas for a while and like his playmaking ability. He would be a great pick in the fourth round, but the Packers may have to use their extra picks to trade up and get him. Also, look for late-rounders, Tony Jefferson from Oklahoma or Bacarri Rambo from Georgia.

Wide Receiver

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Quinton Patton (4) makes a catch.

A lot of wide receivers came off the board on day two of the draft, but this year’s class is a deep one and provides plenty of options in rounds 4-6.

Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech may be the best available wideout, but he will more than likely be gone by the time the Packers pick in the fourth round. They could trade up for Patton, but there are plenty of other options out there the Packers could wait until the end of the fourth to select, like Da’Rick Rogers from Tennessee Tech or Cobi Hamilton from Arkansas. Maybe, they wait even longer and take someone like Marques Wilson from Washington State with one of their three fifth round picks.

Outside Linebacker

Look for Green Bay to take another outside linebacker in rounds four or five. Chase Thomas from Stanford could be there in round four and would be a great fit for Green Bay, or maybe a guy like Michael Buchanan from Illinois will fall to the Packers somewhere in the fifth round. There are plenty of “tweener” rushbackers still available. I expect Green Bay to leave the draft with at least one more rushbacker (3-4 OLB) added to their roster.

Tight End

I am actually surprised how many tight ends have come off the board already. I just didn’t have this year’s tight end class rated that high. It doesn’t seem there are many complete tight ends left to select, but look for San Jose State’s Ryan Otten in rounds five or six to provide another receiving option for Green Bay. Dion Sims from Michigan St. and towering 6’7’’ Joseph Fauria from UCLA are still available, but both these players seem like project picks at this point.

North Texas Mean Green quarterback Derek Thompson (7) passes under pressure from Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jesse Williams. Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

The Packers went defensive line in the first round, but I expect them to pick up a nose tackle on day three. They need to continue to add depth to the interior of their defensive line and prepare for Pickett’s eventual departure.

If they could get Jesse Williams from Alabama in the fourth round that would be an excellent pick. Some mock drafts had Williams go to Green Bay in the first or second round. I am surprised he has fallen this far in the draft. However, Green Bay may target Williams, but they would probably have to use their extra picks and trade up into the top of the fourth round to get him.

If the Packers miss out on Williams, look for them to target massive defensive nose tackle, Kwame Geathers, from Georgia in rounds five or six.

It is always difficult to predict where players will go this far in the draft, but I expect Green Bay to have a big day. This is Thompson’s time to shine, and with the talent still left on the board it will provide good theater for the remaining rounds of the draft.