Packers grade out with high B from Walter Football
The Packers selection of Johnathan Franklin was deemed worthy of an A+.
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Walterfootball.com grades out each of the NFL teams’ draft classes and took a liking to what Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers put together this weekend with their 11 picks – giving out four A’s, five B’s, and two C’s – an average of a high B overall.
Each of the picks’ evaluations and grades (see below) are based on the value to the team. Walterfootball especially liked the Packers running back selections of Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin (both receiving grades of A+), but also gave the Packers kudos for their first overall selection of DE Datone Jones and their fourth round selection of OT David Bakhtiari.
Receiving grades of B were OT. J.C. Tretter, CB Micah Hyde, DE/DT Josh Boyd, WR Charles Johnson, and OLB Sam Barrington.
The lowest grades of C were given to DE/OLB Nate Palmer, and WR Kevin Dorsey.
Overall, Thompson’s trade-backs added three extra selections to the Packers’ draft, an added bonus that allowed the team to add not only quantity to their roster, but quality.
Check out walterfootball.com’s grades below and tell us what you think by leaving a comment below, Liking us on Facebook, and/or following us on Twitter.
Green Bay Packers (Last Year: 11-5)
2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades:
26. Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA: A- Grade
Datone Jones has been discussed as high as No. 19 to the Giants, so the Packers are getting good value with Datone Jones. They’re also getting a tremendous upgrade on the defensive line. Green Bay was completely obliterated by Colin Kaepernick, so the team needed to find players to help them stop the read option. Jones is a great fit, as Ted Thompson continues to be one of the better drafters in the NFL.
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61. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: A+ Grade
Ted Thompson makes this looks so easy. Not only did he sit and wait for the top running back in the 2013 NFL Draft; he also moved down and still managed to maintain him. Eddie Lacy would have been a first-round pick if it weren’t for an injury that he’ll quickly recover from. He’ll be a tremendous upgrade in the backfield.
109. David Bakhtiari, OT/G, Colorado: A Grade
Ted Thompson loves versatile linemen, and David Bakhtiari definitely fits the bill. He can play both tackle and guard positions, so he’ll definitely help somewhere on an offensive line that needed to be upgraded. Baktiari was an early third-round projection, so the value is good.
122. J.C. Tretter, G/OT, Cornell: B- Grade
Another versatile offensive lineman, though J.C. Tretter is more of a guard whereas David Bakhtiari should be at tackle. I’m not as crazy about this pick because I feel like Tretter could have been taken a round later.
125. Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA: A+ Grade
Wow, what a steal! Johnathan Franklin was viewed as the top running back in this class by some, so it’s inexplicable that he fell all the way to the bottom of Round 4. Projected as a player similar to Warrick Dunn, Franklin will form a tremendous one-two punch with Eddie Lacy out of the backfield.
159. Micah Hyde, CB/S, Iowa: B Grade
Micah Hyde played cornerback at Iowa, but he may have to move to safety in the NFL because of speed concerns. Ted Thompson could be fine with that. He likes versatile players and needed help at the safety position. I thought Hyde would go in the middle of the fifth round, so this is the right range for him.
167. Josh Boyd, DE/DT, Mississippi State: B Grade
It’s no surprise that the Packers spent two selections on the defensive line because they have some expiring contracts coming up soon. Josh Boyd is a solid selection who fits the range as a fifth-round prospect.
193. Nate Palmer, DE/OLB, Illinois State: C Grade
Nate Palmer wasn’t a draftable prospect, but that’s not a big deal at the end of the sixth round. What’s more surprising is that the Packers waited this long to take a pass-rusher.
216. Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State: B Grade
Wide receiver is another position I thought the Packers would address earlier. Charles Johnson is a seventh-round prospect, so he makes sense at this spot. He might be able to make the team.
224. Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland: C Grade
This is a much more questionable receiver pick. It’s the seventh round, but I don’t think many would have considered Kevin Dorsey in the old 12-round format.
232. Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida: B Grade
Considered a seventh-round prospect, Sam Barrington should be able to contribute on special teams and provide solid depth.