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2009 NFL Draft Predictions: Green Bay Packers

Written by Jimmy Boyd on April 14, 2009

packers-draft-41409 Brett Favre took the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Championship Game in the 2007-08 season, but the organization felt it was finally time to move in a new direction. The Aaron Rodgers era officially began last season and the result was a 6-10 record. Still, most Packers fans would agree that the team made the right move. Seven of Green Bay’s 10 defeats came by four points or less so the Packers are already very close to putting a contender on the field once again. Jimmy Boyd takes a look at what players could help get the Packers over the hump in this year’s draft class.

Biggest Draft Needs – The Packers’ struggled in 2008 because of a soft defensive front so expect them to look at a defensive tackle and some defensive ends for new defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense. Green Bay’s pass defense was still very good last season with veteran corner Al Harris and Charles Woodson but the team could look to bring in a corner in the later rounds to learn from these accomplished veterans.

Likely Day 1 Targets – The thing everyone talked about last season was Green Bay’s inability to put heat on opposing QB’s and I expect the Packers to address that with their first round pick. The Packers could take a guy like Texas’ Brian Orakpo, the premier pass rusher in college football last season. He even has the athleticism to play outside linebacker in Capers’ 3-4 scheme. With an explosive pass rusher in town, how good can the Packers pass defense be?

The Packers were not satisfied with defensive tackle Ryan Pickett last season so I expect them to take a long look at a defensive tackle in round two. This position is key in the run-heavy NFC North. A guy like Boston College defensive tackle Ron Brace could be a good fit. At 6′3”, 324 pound, Brace is big enough to play the nose in a 3-4 or 4-3 front. His stock has been on the rise. First thought of as a top ten defensive tackle in this class, now he is listed as a top five prospect by most experts. The Packers should get a good one with Brace in round two.

Don’t be surprised if Green Bay goes after another defensive end in round three. Someone like Purdue’s Alex Magee should be on the board.

Recent Draft Track Record – The Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL at building through the draft. General Manager Ted Thompson has shown a knack for finding offensive lineman in the middle rounds. In fact, all five starters on the 2008 offensive line were Green Bay non-first-rounders. He nabbed two more last year (Josh Sitton and Breno Giacomini) that will find their way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later. Thompson has hit with QB Aaron Rodgers, linebacker A.J. Hawk, and wide receiver Greg Jennings with first and second round picks. Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, taken 16th in 2007, is the only first round player who comes to mind recently that looks like a flat-out bust.

Beat the NFL odds this season by doing your football betting on Jimmy Boyd’s award winning NFL picks.

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