8 picks
#23, 56, 86, 122, 154, 169comp, 193, 230
Offensive Tackle
Just like last year, the Packers are seeking successors to both of their starters. On the plus side, aging by the minute veterans Clifton and Tauscher were signed to what very well could be their final professional contracts after each player could have gone anywhere as unrestricted free agents. Clifton, who turns 34 in June, was signed for 3 years. He has played a full season just once from 2006-2009 so health has been as much as an issue as declining skills. Tauscher, another Gemini, turns 33 nine days earlier and has a two season deal. They picked him up midseason after he had recovered from a knee injury thought to be possibly career threatening. Recent history shows their willingness to seek help in the middle rounds with 5 line additions over the past three drafts in the fourth or fifth round, and the year before that (2006) spent second, third and fifth round picks on the line. Of that group, Barbre and Giacomini have been slow to develop. Lang might be used as a right tackle starter, but I don't think a future left tackle is on this roster which will be a glaring problem in 2011 because Clifton is on fumes.
Cornerback
Having Al Harris and Charles Woodson as starters is great, but both are dangerously close to the end of their careers. As any former player will tell you the legs are the first to go. Once a cornerback can no longer keep up with receivers it is over and this can happen in the blink of an eye, even if Woodson is shining his NFL Defensive Player of the Year award as he reads this. There are several guys on the roster in the 23-26 year old range, but are any of them standout starters of the future? Perhaps Tramon Williams because the team thought enough of his performance to put a first and third round tender on him as a restricted free agent. Maybe with development someone else will step up. They put a low (fourth round) tender on Blackmon who is oft-injured and busted his left ACL in October. He adds value as a kick returner. I'm looking for them to add someone on day two or early on day three.
Running Back
The offensive line definitely had some issues, but with a little more depth at this position the running game could push this offense to truly elite status. Grant is as close as most players get to being a "work horse" these days in the NFL. He had 282 carries and including the playoff loss averaged 17.2 per game. This would be fine if he was busting out games of 125-150 yards or someone behind him was producing. However, his only three efforts over 100 were 148, 129 and 137 while his two primary backups combined for just 271 yards on 88 carries. Brandon Jackson has disappointed so much that Ahman Green had to come out of retirement and don his Batman costume. At 33 he is closer to Bruce Wayne and someone needs to put some life into this group. Jackson hits free agency next year and is likely allowed to walk. Wynn continues to be a huge health risk having gone on IR twice in three pro seasons due to knee injuries. I would not rule out a pick in any round, especially with Grant's rising future salary.
Interior Offensive Line
The rushing offense has been average, not great and certainly not bad. There will be some competition for the starting spots at guard this season. Spitz has been rehabbing from a bad back. He was tendered (second round) and after signing it expects to be in the mix for the left side starting job because Colledge did not have a good season holding down that spot. Colledge was also given the second round tender as a restricted free agent. He has probably lost his starting center job to Wells. Speaking of versatility, it is the magic word on their offensive line, whether it is guard/center or guard/tackle types they like to find players who can play more than one position. I would bank on yet another middle round pick, or middle of day three using the new format, being used to bolster the interior line depth.
Rush Linebacker
Most teams would kill for a draft like the Packers had last year when 7 of their 8 picks contributed. It was sweet enough getting one rush linebacker in the first round, USC stud Clay Matthews, but seventh round gem Brad Jones (Colorado) really made their draft. Now the emphasis shifts to depth and protecting against either player suffering a sophomore slump. They now have the advantage of a full season in the 3-4 knowing exactly what their personnel is capable of and can go after another pass rusher who can fit in as a situational player. The unit lost Kampmann (Jaguars) who of course did not make a smooth transition from the 4-3 moving from defensive end.
Defensive End
Tagging nose tackle Ryan Pickett and then inking him to a new deal took care of that spot, especially with last year's first round pick B.J. Raji around. The issue is Jolly, who has a felony drug charge hanging over his head and is unsigned as a restricted free agent. Montgomery has been released, and Jenkins will be a free agent next year which means depth is a serious concern.
Safety
Going to two straight Pro Bowls and picking off 13 passes this season earned free safety Nick Collins a shiny new contract. However, on the strong side Atari Bigby has spent almost as much time in street clothes as his uniform on game day the past two seasons with 12 games missed. Derrick Martin was retained on a two-year deal as a restricted free agent, and Matt Giordano was cut loose. Someone who can bring tenacity on the strong side would be great, and at the very least a versatile option for depth is needed.
Kicker/Punter
Someone has to be the worst, and for net punting average it was Jeremy Kapinos at just 34.1 yards. He also struggled to pin opponents inside their 20 and not surprisingly out of a job. The Packers picked up Tim Masthay and former Aussie Rules Footballer Chris Bryan. Without a huge stack of chips I doubt they add anyone in the draft, but there will be plenty of options should they decide not to have this duo battle it out for the job. At kicker, Mason Crosby was shaky from Thanksgiving Day on. Considering he is just 59% from 40+ yards in his three seasons as a pro, and hits free agency next year, it might be time to bring in a rookie free agent to wake him up.
Wide Receiver
There is a reason this is at the bottom of the list, and it is only a future consideration. Donald Driver is the best receiver no one talks about. He has gone over 1,000 yards six straight seasons and helped this team transition from Favre to Rodgers at quarterback. He is also 35 and will not be able to get open much longer. In fact, I'll call out an end to his streak and for this to be his final effective season. James Jones would be a candidate to step up, but has not really progressed since a great rookie campaign in 2007. Jordy Nelson could also take on an expanded role. The key is to be sure someone other than Greg Jennings can be effective before Driver fades.
