2011 Green Bay Packers NFL Draft Needs
The reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are on the clock with the final pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed on draft day.
1. Defensive End: The Packers have been known to make a splash on draft day. As a result, they have been able to build a winner through the draft instead of going after big money free agents. They’ll be looking to make a splash with a defensive end with one of their early picks. The Packers don’t have any questions at nose tackle, where B.J. Raji mans the middle, but free agency, injuries and off-field issues have created a need at end. Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward looks to be a great fit if he falls to the Packers at pick No. 32. Heyward underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow following the college season. If major league pitchers can recover from it and still throw 95 mile per hour heat, Heyward should be just fine. He has great skills, brute strength and a great motor. Green Bay also has a need at outside linebacker. If it chooses to fill that need first, it could still go after a player like Miami defensive end Allen Bailey in the second round.
2. Outside Linebacker: The Packers went through three right outside linebackers last season (Brad Jones, Frank Zombo and Erik Walden) and are still searching for a consistent answer opposite Clay Matthews. Arizona outside linebacker Brook Reed might just be that answer. I think he should be Green Bay’s pick if he’s still on the board at the end of the first round. Reed could potentially play defensive end but is best suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s big, strong, quick and relentless. The kind of player who can take some pressure off of Matthews. If Green Bay decides to go in another direction, it could still target a player like Fresno State outside linebacker Christopher Carter in the third round.
3. Offensive Line: Green Bay addressed its aging offensive line by drafting Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga in the first round last year and it’s a good thing it did. Bulaga started 12 games because of injuries. Left tackle Chad Clifton will turn 35 this summer, right tackle Mark Tauscher is unlikely to be back and left guard Daryn Colledge is a free agent. With protecting Aaron Rodgers being a priority, the Packers could take an offensive lineman in round one if the right one falls into their lap. At this stage of the game, Green Bay will be in the running for Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod. It wouldn’t surprise me if Green Bay took Sherrod if they think he can be groomed into Clifton’s replacement. He’s not a guy you can insert on the blindside from day one, but he rates similarly to how Bulaga rated last year. If the Packers pass on an offensive lineman in the first round, they could still be in the running for a player like Lehigh guard William Rackley in the second.
4. Running Back: Ryan Grant has shown some durability concerns and Brandon Jackson is a free agent. Plus, James Starks looks to be more of a third-down back than an every-down option. It would be nice if the Packers could land an eventual starter with the potential to step in right away if injuries arise again. Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter is an option at the end of the second round.
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