Green Bay Packers Draft: Tuesday’s Big 3
Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47)
Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
It took me a while, but my goal for tonight’s Green Bay Packers Big 3 was to scour the Interweb to find three mock drafts that were a bit different.
You see, I’m sick and tired of reading time and again the names of Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Louis Nix III, Calvin Pryor, Eric Ebron and Ra’Shede Hageman as the prospects who are most likely to end up as the Packers first round draft pick.
It took some digging and looking at some of the more obscure mock drafts, but I found them at eDraft.com, sabotagefootball.com and nfldraftroomcom.
Here are three mock drafts that may surprise you, but that’s the idea of this post – to describe some possibilities that we haven’t already seen and some players who could indeed land in Green Bay. After all, we just never know about Ted Thompson. He’s surprised us before and will surely do so again.
Heck, Ol’ Ted may even use his trade down card – we all know how he likes to accumulate as many picks as he can. And with the depth at many positions this year, it might be a good move. Thompson’s first round picks haven’t been the best over the past few years anyway.
But I digress.
Here are these interesting picks that just may make you raise an eyebrow or two … start the discussion and let us know what you think about these … leave a comment below, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
eDraft.com
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (91)
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
With their first round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select … DaQuan Jones, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
Here is the reasoning for this pick:
"The Packers add beef and power to their interior defensive line, Jones can play in both 3-4, and 4-3 fronts and would be a great addition to the Packers defense."
Lombardiave: Ok, so this is probably quite a reach, especially considering this is the first round and Jones is projected as a second or third round selection. Jones didn’t really rip them up at the Combine, posting a 5.35 in the 40-yard dash, recorded 25 lifts in the 225-pound bench press, and 8-4 in the broad jump. He may be a good third round selection for the Packers if he’s still available.
Here are his positives as posted on cbssports.com:
"STRENGTHS: Dropped nearly 25 pounds during the 2013 offseason and displayed more quickness as a senior with the ability to be effective later into games. He has a wide base and broad shoulders and wins with his brute strength and power to take on multiple blocks and overwhelm blockers. Jones showed improved instincts toward the end of 2012 and through the ’13 season.WEAKNESSES: Will struggle with leverage and lacks ideal range."
Sabotagefootball.com
Bowling Green Falcons running back Travis Greene (13) is tackled by Northern Illinois Huskies safety Jimmie Ward (15). Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With their first round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select … Jimmie Ward, SAF Northern Illinois
Lombardiave: If the Packers are committed to drafting a safety in the early rounds and come up at pick #21 with both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Trevor Pryor are off the board, Ward might be the next best thing. At 5-11, 193 pounds, Ward is described by nfldraftscout.com this way:
"He is smart, heady and puts himself in position to succeed, using his speed and range to cover the deep half of the field. NFLDraftScout.com’s Rob Rang said Ward was the Senior Bowl’s most impressive pass defender this year."
Not bad for a guy expected to be drafted in the second round. Could he be a sleeper at the position? If so and the Packers select him, Ted Thompson will be considered a genius.
nfldraftroom.com
Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47)
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
With their first round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select … Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri.
Here’s how nfldraftroom.com justified this selection:
"DE who is well suited to play in the 3-4 scheme. Not a flashy pick but should be very productive."
Lombardiave: While Ealy’s teammate Michael Sam garnered all of the face time, Ealy seems to have a much higher upside and could be a great fit with the Packers. His combination of size, athleticism and versatility would go a long way in helping him make a team like the Packers.