Will the Packers Address Offensive Needs on Day Two of the Draft?

Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver

(87). Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers addressed the biggest need on their roster by drafting Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with the 21st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

This was a perfect situation for the Packers. Value met need and things fell into place for Green Bay to take one of the top safeties in this year’s draft class.

Suddenly, the Packers defense looks much improved, but there is still a ways to go. The second day of the draft will without a doubt provide us with more answers.

Maybe versatile BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy falls to the Packers in the second round at pick 53?

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported yesterday that Ted Thompson was eyeing linebackers C.J. Mosley and Ryan Shazier in the first round and was disappointed they were off the board before the Packers picked.

It’s clear Thompson would like to get more athletic at the linebacker position, but Van Noy seems to be the best remaining option at linebacker. He would be a home-run pick if Green Bay nabbed him in the second round.

Wisconsin’s Chris Borland would be another option, but I’m not sure if he’s that speedy, athletic linebacker the Packers are looking for to upgrade the middle of their defense.

Maybe the Packers bolster the defensive line on the second day of the draft with first-round sliders, like Notre Dame’s Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt or Minnesota’s Ra’Shede Hageman?

There’s a good possibility one of these three will be available to the Packers at 53.

However, despite some top defensive talent still left on the board, my gut tells me the Packers draft will be dominated by offensive prospects on the second day.

Green Bay has obvious needs at center, wide receiver, and tight end, and right now, rounds two and three appear loaded with wide receiver and center prospects.

Yes, there are a still a handful of tight ends available that could be an option for the Packers on day two. Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro is still on the board and carries a late-first/early-second round grade, but he’ll most likely be off the board by the time the Packers pick at 53.

Maybe the Packers use one of their third round picks to trade up for Amaro in the second round, but I think they’ll be more inclined to sit back and let a talented player fall to them at 53.

Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Notre Dame’s Troy Niklas are two talented tight end prospects that could still be available in the second round. Iowa’s C.J. Fiedorowicz could be a legitimate option in the third round for the Packers.

However, this is a thin group of tight ends this year, and the depth is really at receiver and offensive line. Maybe the Packers will take advantage of this depth and draft a starting-caliber player at one of these two positions.

There’s a good chance at least one of the top two center prospects, Colorado State’s Weston Richburg or USC’s Marcus Martin, will be available for the Packers at pick 53. Maybe they even wait and grab Richburg or Martin in the third round.

The Packers will certainly have their pick of the litter at receiver, especially in the second round. I would a keep an eye on three receivers in particular for the 53rd pick–Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews, Fresno State’s Davante Adams, and Indiana’s Cody Latimer.

All three players have great size, speed, and production in college. They fit in well with the Packers receiving corps, and at least one of them should be available for Green Bay in round two.

There is so much talent on this second day of the draft. It’s rounds two and three where the best value will really be found in this draft class. I expect the Packers to draft at least a couple of talented prospects that can come in and contribute immediately.

Here is my quick prediction for the Packers’ picks on day two of the draft (barring any trades):

Second Round (#53) – Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

Third Round (#85) – Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State

Third Round (#98) – C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa

As you can see, I think it will be a day dominated by offense for the Packers because that is where I believe the best value is on day two of the draft. We’ll see how it pans out though. Maybe a Van Noy or Louis Nix slide down to the Packers and that is the route Green Bay goes.

I guess we’ll find out it just a matter of hours.