Packers: Ranking the top eight draft picks since 2000
2. Clay Matthews, 2009
When you think of some of the great workhorses the Packers have had, one of the first names that should pop up is Clay Matthews. The man was always a huge presence on the field and struck terror in opposing offenses.
Matthews was a sack machine in his early years, being ranked top-10 in sacks in both 2009 and ’10.
He finished with a total of 91.5 sacks in his entire 11-year career. Matthews was selected as a first-team All-Pro in 2010 and to six Pro Bowls, which spanned from 2009 to ’15.
By the time Matthews left in 2018, he had already become Green Bays’ all-time sack leader with 83.5, and finished with a total of 482 tackles.
Even when the defense struggled, Clay was always a standout player and was a huge help in the 2010 Super Bowl, where he made a game-changing forced fumble late in the game.
No matter how you look at it, Clay Matthews has cemented his legacy in Green Bay and will go down as one of the best defensive draft picks by the Packers.
1. Aaron Rodgers, 2005
I mean, what can I say about this man that has not already been said? He is by far one of the best arm talents that this league has ever seen and is an all-time great at the quarterback position.
Aaron Rodgers has been the NFL MVP four times. He has also been named a first-team All-Pro four times.
He also cemented himself as a franchise legend by beating Brett Favre’s touchdown passing record of 442.
Rodgers is a master of not turning over the football, with one stat being above all the rest. This is the stat of most seasons with the lowest interceptions rate in the NFL. Rodgers has had six seasons doing this and has beaten Washington legend Sammy Baugh.
After Rodgers got picked, there was a lot of speculation on what he would bring and if he was here to take Favre’s job, who at that point was still the starter and fan favourite.
After three years of sitting behind Favre, Aaron was able to come into his own and have a breakout season, throwing for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. The rest is history.
Rodgers had a great game in Super Bowl XLV, winning the Super Bowl MVP award. He finished the day 24-of-39 for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Aaron Rodgers is part of 30-year stretch of great quarterback play. He will go down as one of the best in NFL history and maybe the best QB in franchise history. He is one of the best picks the Packers have ever made.