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Ted Thompson: His last five Green Bay Packers drafts are defensive misery

By Raymond Rivard

Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Green Bay Packers 2012 Draft

When one considers the 2012 draft of defensive players by Ted Thompson, one could probably say this was the most successful of recent picks by the Packers GM.

Nick Perry, a linebacker out of Southern California, was picked at #28 overall by the Packers.

His story was promising – giving the Packers a player who could line up opposite Clay Matthews and give the team a balanced defensive rushing attack.

That lasted all of a few games before Perry was injured and lost for his rookie season.

Over the course of the past five seasons in Green Bay, Perry has been nothing less than pedestrian. Sure, he’s flashed from time to time, but it wasn’t until Thompson re-signed him to a single-season contract last offseason that Perry began to produce. His 11 sacks – a career high – also led the team in 2016.

While the jury is still out on him, it’s pretty clear that Thompson will do his best to bring him back on a longer-term deal.

Jerel Worthy was drafted 51st overall in the second round – a defensive end out of Michigan State. Worthy was a bust. He never seemed to work hard and didn’t fit well in the Packers system.

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) reacts after his sack on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (not pictured) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) reacts after his sack on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (not pictured) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

However, the second pick of that second round was spent on Casey Hayward, a cornerback who emerged his rookie season as a ball-hawking, intense player.

That’s before soft tissue injuries began to affect his game. He fell out of grace with the Packers defensive coaches, his production fell and the Packers, unfortunately, let him walk. He went to San Diego on a very inexpensive $5 million per year deal and led the league in interceptions.

Mike Daniels, one of Ted Thompson’s best defensive picks of the past five years, has emerged as a leader and productive interior lineman who many thought was too short to play in the NFL. His non-stop motor and ability to stop the run and rush the passer have been exceptional.

The final defensive player selected in 2012 was Terrell Manning, a linebacker out of North Carolina State. He did nothing for the team.

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