The Green Bay Packers have a pretty good history with compensatory picks
Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
As compensatory picks were handed out this week, I figured I would look through as many Green Bay Packers compensatory picks as I could and list a top 5. Unfortunately I had a tough time finding the picks, so I will list out the greats I managed to find that the Packers have managed to pick up over the years, in a top order.
Honorable mention – Mike Daniels/Defensive Tackle
Mike Daniels is an up-and-comer, being drafted in the fourth round of 2012. We were not quite sure where he would be after the first season, but he came on last year very well. With 20 tackles and 6.5 sacks and the addition of Julius Peppers, Daniels may turn into quite a player next season. Time will tell.
5. Scott Wells/Center
Scott Wells was a part of quite the few terrible lines in his Green Bay tenure, but most of it was not his fault. Wells was drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 draft, and within his second year he was starting at center. In Green Bay, the center position is arguably the most important position on the line, and Wells solidified that for several years before departing for St. Louis. When a seventh round pick can start 98 out of 106 games and play well, you have hit your pick pretty well.
4. Tyrone Williams/Cornerback
Tyrone Williams is a player I barely remember given he played a little before I really got into watching football. But what I remember was pretty good. Averaging almost 3 interceptions during his time with Green Bay and during his 4 best seasons averaging 4 (in addition to 372 tackles), Williams played pretty well for a 3rd round pick. Although his career ended decently quickly (4 good years was all he had) and he ended up with a bad image due to legal troubles, Williams was still a good compensatory pick.
3. Marco Rivera/Guard
Marco Rivera was part of the great line that protected Brett Favre during the glory years (1998-2004). In Rivera’s seven seasons as a starter, every game the man could play in he started – 111 games! And Rivera only missed one game in all of that time. A fantastic guard, Rivera ended his Packers tenure with 3 straight Pro Bowls. Given he was a sixth round pick in 1996, I would say he surpassed expectations, if only a little bit.
2. Matt Hasselbeck/Quarterback
I know, I know, he never played for the Packers. But that is true of nearly every quarterback to end up on the same roster as Brett Favre during his “glory years.” Hasselbeck made a really good career out of a player expected to simply ride the pine behind number 4. During his days with the Seahawks as a starter, Hasselbeck compiled a 60.2 percent completion rate, almost 30,000 yards, and 174 touchdowns to only 128 interceptions and a Super Bowl appearance. Drafted in the sixth round in 1998, I would say he was a HECK of a value.
And at number one…
*drumroll*
1. Josh Sitton/Guard
I know you all saw it coming, but this man is one of the main reasons Aaron Rodgers stays on his feet, and was a major reason the rushing attack was (and most likely will be this season) as potent as it was. Sitton plays at a very high level, as referenced by his Pro Bowl appearance, 2 Pro Bowl alternate appearances, 2010 Offensive Lineman of the Year award and his second team All-Pro selection this last season. And that is before you add in that he has started 78 of 80 games since becoming the starter. Not too shabby for a fourth round pick in 2008. To think the best is yet to come …
Does anyone know of any more compensatory picks the Packers have made that have “made it big?” Let us know that and your rankings in the comments below!