Green Bay Packers: Top 10 draft picks under Ted Thompson

Ranking Ted Thompson’s top 10 draft picks as Green Bay Packers general manager.

With Ted Thompson’s run as general manager of the Green Bay Packers now over, we can look back at his greatest draft picks.

Thompson was responsible for 13 drafts, beginning back in 2005. His first selection was quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his last was wide receiver Malachi Dupre. In between he selected a number of Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, helping the Packers reach the postseason nine times in 13 years.

Many were critical of Thompson’s strict draft-and-develop philosophy, particularly in the final few years of his time as general manager, but there’s no denying his success in Green Bay. Thompson helped bring consistent success in Packers News, including a fourth Lombardi Trophy.

And while his reluctance to regularly use free agency has drawn criticism, it did allow the Packers to accumulate compensatory draft picks, which Thompson used to bring the likes of Josh Sitton and Mike Daniels to Green Bay.

Thompson was replaced with Brian Gutekunst as the team’s general manager this offseason. Gutekunst has big shoes to fill in the hot seat.

This list has a number of honorable mentions.

Jermichael Finley and James Jones played important roles in Green Bay’s offensive success. When healthy, Bryan Bulaga has played at a high level at both tackle spots. Casey Hayward, Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix were strong selections in the secondary. B.J. Raji went to a Pro Bowl in Green Bay, and also played his part in the team’s Super Bowl success.

Like any general manager, Thompson had some hits, and he had some misses. But overall his time in charge can be viewed as a success.

His more recent draft classes have included the likes of Kenny Clark, Ty Montgomery, Blake Martinez, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. In time all five could rank among Thompson’s best draft selections.

What were Thompson’s top 10 picks as Packers GM?

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