Round 2 &3 Packer Picks

With their first pick, the Pack selected WR Randall Cobb of Kentucky. He's a 5'10, 195-pound player who has done it all - catch, throw, run, and return at Kentucky and is comfortable playing out of the slot. Green Bay wanted to go out and get a guy who could return kicks and it looks like they've done that. I'm not exactly sure how Cobb fits into the Packers offensive system, but I'm sure Ted Thompson has a plan on how to use his versatility.

With their last pick, Green Bay took RB Alex Green of Hawaii. Though it's hard to read how he will do in the pros because of the spread offense in which they ran, but he appears to have the speed (4.53) to go with his 6'0, 225-pound frame. He also has WR-type hands out of the backfield and supposedly has experience returning kicks. Tall, upright runner comparable to what the Packers have in Ryan Grant and James Starks, will this spell the end for Grant, who is a free agent next season, or Brandon Jackson, who is a free agent this year.

Second Round Thoughts

The Green Bay Packers next selection will be at #64 in the second round. Positions that could be addressed include a 3-4 DE and OLB, OG, WR, and CB.

Surprisingly, Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers is still on the board, after being thought of as a top 2 pick earlier this draft season. His knee concerns must be significant.

I like Oregon St.'s DT Stephen Paea, who might project as a 3-4 end. I don't know if he will be available when the Packers pick in the second round, but he would be a quality pick with excellent strength and a great work ethic. ... Of course, there's Arizona's Brooks Reed still out there, as well as TCU's QB Andy Dalton who should be quickly off the board in Round 2.

Packers Select OT Derek Sherrod with 1st Round Pick

The Green Bay Packers stayed right at #32 and landed a first round talent in OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi St. The 6'5, 321 pound lineman should bring quality depth to the OT position that was needed, as Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are aging.

Sherrod has good size, is quick (5.28 40-yard dash), has great footwork, is a great pass protector, and shows the ability to be an effective driving run blocker that can get to the second level of linebackers fairly well. Scouts believe he needs to improve his lower-body strength and play less tall at times, in addition to needing more of a mean streak in the running game.

However, with first rounder Bryan Bulaga last year, the Pack seemingly is set for the future at the tackle position. Sherrod's value was right where Green Bay selected him and is a safe pick, giving the Packers a great start to the 2011 NFL Draft. Green Bay's next pick is at #64 of the second round.

ESPN Report on Patriots

An ESPN reporter said earlier this morning that the Patriots will not target Cameron Jordan, JJ Watt, or Muhammad Wilkerson at pick #17 for their 3-4 need at end, nor will they pick Robert Quinn if available. It is more likely they target an OT like Anthony Castonzo or DT Corey Liuget.

Updated Mock Draft as of April 26th

One more mock to go, but here is where I stand two days before the draft. Follow this link to view it: http://nfldraftbuzz.blogspot.com/p/mock-drafts.html

Might be surprising to see who the Packers pick, but just remember that they pick the best player available on their chart and he could be the type of player, who in the cold, could be what they need.

2011 Quarterbacks: Who are the Real 1st Rounders?

In this year's NFL Draft, there are many names of quarterbacks that have recently shot up draft boards. Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton have been the big ones - both thought to be within the first 5 picks and Newton supposedly the Panthers frontrunner with the first pick. However, new names have crept onto the scene as of late.

There is Christian Ponder of Florida State, who has shown me the ability to read defenses, step up and run when pressured out of the pocket, and also enough accuracy and arm strength to get the ball down the field. The thing that worries me is his lack of a big name until draft season and the Senior Bowl, which he lit up. He might need a year to adjust to an NFL playbook, needs to fix some footwork, and could improve his decision making, but in time should become a solid pick. However, I feel he is a second rounder.



Washington's Jake Locker can run and his football intelligence is there, along with decent arm strength. However, his accuracy is a huge issue and he is actually more accurate when rolling out, which is not typical. In 2 games against Nebraska, Locker struggled to complete even a third of his passes and that was against a defense that boasted 2 of the better cover corners in the nation. He could've been last year's #1 pick, but instead I see him slipping until at least #12 to the Vikings and will still need a year or two to completely become a starting NFL quarterback. Boom or bust potential.


Next is Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, a transfer from Michigan. Mallett impresses with his arm strength and for rejuvenating a Razorback team that was falling apart until he took the starting role. Many things scare me with Mallett and they aren't involved with the drug-related issues and immaturity usually talked about by the media. He is terribly inaccurate on the run and his decision making, especially in crucial moments of the game, can be questioned many times. No doubt he is a gun-slinger, but he is not mobile and could have used another year in school, as he will need at least half a year to adjust to NFL defenses. Another mid-second round pick grade.



Nevada's Colin Kaepernick is unknown to many. He is a scrambler, but also has a decent arm and can fling it down the field and with decent accuracy. How well he will adjust to the pro game coming from a shotgun offense remains to be seen, but his ability to not let the pressure of the big stage get to him (win against Boise St.), gives you a feeling that Kaepernick could become a decent starter. I think he's more of a second rounder, though, and wouldn't take him in the first.



Finally, TCU's Andy Dalton has recently been one of the biggest risers. Though I see him as a early second round pick, Dalton benefited from TCU's great season and really has no standout trait. He is not overly accurate, has only good arm strength, and has decent mobility. Surely Dalton can become a quality game managing quarterback, but when you consider drafting a quarterback in the first 3 rounds, you have to be sure, you are getting a 5-6 year starter. I'm not sure Dalton is that guy.

So, overall, I can only see Gabbert and Newton going in Round 1. There are no guarantees with either, as I see both needing more than a year to get a feel for the game. After all is said and done, Gabbert, in my eyes, will be a bust and may show you things from time to time, but will not be the perennial Pro Bowler you are led to believe. Newton, on the other hand, could transform the QB position and become one of the league's most difficult players to defend if he can be consistent as a passer.

A Matthews Defense?

 It's very rare, but how often do you see two brothers line up on the same defense? Though it still might not happen this year, the Green Bay Packers have the opportunity to draft Casey Matthews, the Oregon Ducks star middle linebacker who is the younger brother of near NFL Defensive Player of the Year Clay Matthews.

Casey may not be the dominating physical specimen that Clay is, but he was the leader of the Oregon defense, had 4 interceptions this past season, and forced a crucial Cam Newton fumble in the second half of the BCS Championship Game that almost won the Ducks the game (hmmm, a Super Bowl similarity perhaps...). Casey is a better cover linebacker than Clay and he, himself, believes he has better instincts than his brother. However, the extent to which he converts to a 3-4 defense has yet to be seen, as he is described as more of a 4-3 linebacker. 

Still, how awesome would it be to have Casey line up as a middle linebacker from time to time or fill in for injury alongside Clay. Casey is another one of those relentless, hard-working players that Ted Thompson loves to have and seems to have pass rush ability to go with good tackling. A possible third round pick, Green Bay will surely release Nick Barnett this off-season and does not have another middle linebacker to be a fill-in player.