The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 13 Green Bay Packers, 2005

The Packers' 2005 Selections: Aaron Rodgers, QB, California (No. 24)
Nick Collins, S, Bethune-Cookman (No. 51)
Terrence Murphy, WR, Texas A&M (No. 58)
Marviel Underwood, S, San Diego State (No. 115)
Brady Poppinga, LB, BYU (No. 125)
Junius Coston, C, North Carolina A&T (No. 143)
Mike Hawkins, CB, Oklahoma (No. 167)
Mike Montgomery, DT, Texas A&M (No. 180)
Craig Bragg, WR, UCLA (No. 195)
Kurt Campbell, CB, Albany (No. 245)
Will Whitticker, G, Michigan State (No. 246)

Overall Draft Analysis: The Packers drafted Brett Favre's heir apparent in 2005, by selecting Aaron Rodgers, with the No. 24 pick. Rodgers has impressively emerged as the most productive quarterback selected since 2004, guiding Green Bay's explosive offense to rank No. 3 in points, No. 6 in total yards, No. 7 in passing yards, and No. 4 in passing touchdowns in 2009. More importantly, the team recorded five more wins in 2009 than in 2008, while also reaching the playoffs in Rodgers' second season as starting signal-caller. Behind the talented Cal product, the Packers should continue to contend in the NFC for years to come.

Green Bay's '05 draft also provided considerable value on the defensive side. Collins was selected to a second consecutive Pro Bowl in 2009, as the starting safety for the NFL's No. 2 defense. Collins has respectably collected 13 interceptions during the past two seasons with the Packers. The fourth-round linebacker, Poppinga, has also contributed as a serviceable three-year starter, while Montgomery posted productive totals in eight starts with Green Bay in 2008. The rest of the class of '05 failed to garner significant impact for the Packers, most notably, second-round bust Terrence Murphy. However, the performance of Rodgers and Collins has energized the Packers' recent resurgence and should provide for sustained success, considering the scarcity of elite quarterbacks in the NFL, particularly during the past five drafts.

Draft Class Accolades: Aaron Rodgers - 2009 Pro Bowl, 59 career passing touchdowns and 21 interceptions, NFL QB rating career leader with a 97.2 passer rating, 4,000+ yards and 28+ touchdowns in two consecutive seasons, only seven interceptions in 2009.
Nick Collins - 2 Pro Bowls, 17 career interceptions (No. 2 in 2008 with 7), 4 defensive touchdowns.
Brady Poppinga - 3-year Packers' starter, 221 total tackles.

The Packers' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keeping Trades, Only Same Positions are Eligible)
No. 24 - QB Aaron Rodgers, No. 51 - S Nick Collins, No. 58 - WR Vincent Jackson, No. 115 - S Kerry Rhodes, No. 125 - LB Michael Boley, No. 143 - C Geoff Hangartner, No. 167 - CB Reynaldo Hill, No. 180 - DT Mike Wright (Undrafted), No. 195 - WR Lance Moore (Undrafted), No. 245 DB - James Butler (Undrafted), No. 246 - G Will Whitticker.

References: All statistics and draft results as reflected on NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.