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Green Bay Packers: Ted Thompson’s top 30 draft picks of all-time

By Freddie Boston

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Jordy Nelson (Freddie’s pick)

How good is Jordy Nelson? Just go watch the Packers’ offense without him in 2015 and you’ll see how vital he is.

Nelson — a second-round draft choice in 2008 — is one of the best wide receivers in football today. He has lightning speed, runs precise routes and is a true professional on and off the field. His torn ACL suffered in a preseason game at Pittsburgh last August sent shockwaves through the entire Green Bay offense, and they never truly overcame his absence.

In each of the past three seasons in which Nelson has featured in all 16 games of the regular season (2011, 2013, 2014) he has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving and caught at least eight touchdown passes. He put up his best season to date in 2014, hauling in 98 passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he formed one of the league’s best receiver tandems with Randall Cobb.

Nelson entered a team stacked with talent at wide receiver in 2008, but he has quickly become the star and Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target. His return to the Packers’ offense in 2016 is huge and will go a long way to ensuring the struggles of 2015 don’t continue for a second year.

When it’s all said and done, Nelson will always be one of Thompson’s best draft picks.

Next: No. 2 (Ray's pick)

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