Green Bay Packers 2010 NFL Draft Preview

The Green Bay Packers will enter 2010 with strong expectations. As the team gets older and tries to escape from the "youngest team in the NFL" stigma Ted Thompson has given it for the past four seasons, the Packers should mature into a legitimate Super Bowl contending unit.After a 4-4 start to 2009, they ended the season as one of the NFL's hottest and most promising teams. With a few roster adjustments and another offseason to learn the 3-4 defense, the Packers could find themselves as NFC favorites for the Super Bowl. Since Ted Thompson normally hibernates until April, Packer fans will need to put their faith in Ted Thompson's drafting ability, something he has proven strong with during his career.

What are some logical choices with the 23^rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and what positions should Ted Thompson focus on?

What positions do the Green Bay Packers need the most?
The Green Bay Packers finished the 2009 season 11-6. Five of their losses came against Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and Brett Favre. While the Packers had the league's second ranked defense, veteran quarterbacks carved up the Packers secondary with ease. As the secondary has limited depth and aging starters, the Packers need to restructure their secondary for the 2010 season.

In 2009, the Packers offensive line started horrendously. They were on pace to surrender the second most sacks in NFL history before Chad Clifton returned from an injury and Mark Tauscher replaced Allan Barbre at right tackle. With Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher aging and possible vulnerabilities in an uncapped free agency season, the Packers need to look into developing replacements at their tackle positions. With the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears emphasizing defensive line in the off-season, the Packers offensive line needs become that much greater.

What realistic options are there for the Green Bay Packers to improve their secondary and offensive line for 2010?

What defensive backs should the Green Bay Packers pursue in the 2010 NFL Draft?
The 2010 NFL Draft doesn't possess the most dynamic defensive backs. Joe Haden had a poor combine, Earl Thomas is inexperienced and a tweener between cornerback and safety, and most of the other cornerbacks aren't anticipated to go until late first round at the earliest.

One of the cornerbacks I could see Ted Thompson pursuing is Boise State standout Kyle Wilson. Ted Thompson has shown past interest in Boise State players with Korey Hall and Daryn Colledge. Kyle Wilson is the type of high character player that Thompson likes. Kyle Wilson also proved to be one of the strongest cornerbacks at the combine, which was one of his goals. With the Packers tendency to play bump coverage and man-to-man defense, his strength attributes should appeal to Packers defensive personnel.

Other than Kyle Wilson, Taylor Mays is the only person I could see the Packers drafting at 23. I don't expect Taylor Mays to last until 23, so the Packers would need to trade up to have a chance. If the Packers want defensive backs, they may need to rely on drafting in later rounds.

What offensive linemen should the Green Bay Packers pursue in the 2010 NFL Draft?
As the Packers implement a zone blocking scheme, they need quick and athletic offensive lineman. Their primary concern with their offensive line is their tackles. Clifton and Tauscher are aging, and the Packers may not be sold on T.J. Lang as the future replacement.

Russell Okung, Bryan Bulaga, and Trent Williams should all be off the board by the 23^rd pick. Anthony Davis from Rutgers lacks the athleticism for the zone blocking scheme. For a zone blocking scheme, I believe that the Packers would love Maryland's Bruce Campbell.

Bruce Campbell is a 6'6 ½", 314 pound tackle who ran a 4.78 40 at the combine, one of the fastest ever by an offensive lineman. He is athletic and big, but he is very raw from inexperience. He has the tools, but he will need time to develop. If the Packers maintain Tauscher and Clifton for 2010, he would be an ideal backup with T.J. Lang on the Packers offensive line. He would probably be an immediate upgrade over the Packers other project, Allan Barbre

Could Ted Thompson pursue other options?
Ryan Grant is one of the premiere halfbacks in the NFC, however, he lacks game-breaking ability or the tools necessary to be an effective receiver out of the backfield. I have wanted to see the Packers pursue someone like Chris Johnson for years now, and they might have a chance if C.J. Spiller dropped to #23. While Spiller isn't considered an every down halfback, he is reminiscent to Chris Johnson in his playmaking potential. He is a threat to take it the distance on every carry, a strong receiver, and could give the Packers a lethal return specialist they haven't had since Desmond Howard. Basically, he could be the Packers Percy Harvin.

Adding C.J. Spiller would make Aaron Rodgers even more dangerous because he would have a screen game to utilize and a more effective check-down option then Ryan Grant or Brandon Jackson. C.J. Spiller could bring the Packers offense to elite status if used properly with Ryan Grant.

Personally, Spiller would be my pick if he was available at 23 or I'd even trade up a few slots to get him. There are other people who have the same idea. I highly doubt Ted Thompson will pursue him, however.

Should Ted Thompson trade the 23^rd overall selection?
Going into the 2009 NFL Draft, the joke was that Ted Thompson would always trade down. In 2009, he traded up and landed linebacker Clay Matthews. In his rookie season, Matthews already showcased himself as one of the elite players on the Packers defense and could be one of the best

If there is a player available that Ted Thompson loves on his draft board, I wouldn't put it past Ted Thompson to trade up. I believe Ted Thompson may try to be more aggressive with his first round picks now that he has established the foundations of a playoff contender. The Packers don't need as much quantity over quality and I think Ted Thompson realizes that.

If Ted Thompson doesn't trade up, I'm not sure there would be anyone that intriguing at 23. I could see him trading down into the later first round or early second round if he got another second rounder that he could use for defensive back or offensive line depth.

Green Bay Packers 2010 NFL Draft Analysis
Despite positions of need, Ted Thompson may just go with the best player available. A good draft in 2010 and a couple free agent acquisitions to solidify depth should return the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs.

REFERENCES:
Mark Strotman, "The Case for C.J. Spiller on the Packers in 2010." Bleacher Report, Dec 7, 2009. March 6, 2010.

Chadd Cripe, "Kyle Wilson." The Idaho Statesmean. March 4, 2010. March 6, 2010.

Peter King, "Bruce Campbell." SI.com. March 1, 2010. March 6, 2010.