Who I Think & Want The Packers Will Draft
(Joe Arrigo)

As the NFL draft approaches everyone has their own thoughts on who Packers GM Ted Thompson will draft, myself included.

I have done 21 mock drafts and I tried to "think like Thompson" and not use my own feelings when it comes to the pick. But in this blog I will reveal who I want the Packers to draft with their first pick in the 2010 draft.

As I look at the Packers roster I know all about the offensive tackle need, I know about the corner back need, I also know about the outside linebacker need and the return man need. But I think the strong safety need is just as important.

When I think of a strong safety I think of a punishing hitter that can strike the fear of god into offensive players coming across the middle. Is there such a guy in this draft and will he be available when the Packers are up? Yes, and he should be.

That person is Taylor Mays from USC. I know, I can already hear it..."Joe, you are such a homer!" You know what, I am, so what! I think Mays has the type of ability to change a defense if he used the right way and I think Dom Capers and Darren Perry will use his strengths with-in the confines of the Packers defense. I also think Perry will help transform him into a better coverage guy then people think.

There are other safeties that I like a lot and will still be on the board when the Packers pick like, Morgan Burnett from Georgia Tech and Chad Scott of LSU to name a few, but Mays is something special to me.

His size, speed combo are off the charts. He is a physical freak, we all know this. But this kids attitude and work ethic set him apart from some of the other safeties, no, some of the other players in this draft class. He will not let anyone out work him and will continue to try and prove draft pundits wrong about his coverage skills. He will come into the NFL with a chip on his shoulder, and that is not a good thing for the 31 other teams in the NFL.

If they did draft Mays it would push Atari Bigby and make him put up or shut up. Yeah he can be a big hitter, but he has also been hurt almost as much as he has been on the field. With Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, Al Harris, Tramon Williams, Bigby, Mays, Underwood, Martin, Blackmon and another rookie that we all assume the Packers will draft at some point this weekend the Packers will have a very good and deep secondary.

I know the Packers need top find Chad Clifton's heir apparent. But I think that if the Packers draft a Charles Brown or Bruce Campbell at pick #23, it would be a reach. Unless Kyle Wilson falls, I would wait to draft the corner. I think you can get a good corner in the 2nd or 3rd round. Plus, any offensive tackle taken in round 1 will be "red shirted". This team is on the cusp of a title run, I feel that they need to add a difference maker or a player that will play now rather then a player that will have to wait to get on the field.

But any way that's who is I WANT the Packers to draft, Taylor Mays. Who will they draft? I have NO CLUE. I think Ted Thompson wants to add a difference maker on either side of the ball.

I will say this, I wouldn't be upset if they drafted C.J. Spiller, Jahvid Best, Dez Bryant or Kyle Wilson. Not in the least bit would I be upset. I trust Ted Thompson's drafting ability.

Who ever the Packers pick will have my full support as long as they are on the Packers. The will be welcomed into the Packer family with open arms. But If I were calling the shots on draft day you would hear Roger Goodell say "with the 23rd pick in round 1 of the NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers select, Taylor Mays, Safety, USC." [url=index.php?name=Pro_News&aid=138]full article[/url].

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Here is the problem that has drawn me away from Mock Drafts.. unless you are picking in the top 5 or so.. you really have little clue how the draft will play out.. it is just way to fluid to try an project past the top 5 maybe in some drafts 10.

I used to enjoy it.. but not as much now.. the mocking part.

I instead spend my time researching the top 10 to 20.. at each position except QB.. part because the systems in college and the pros are so different it makes little sense to try an project them into the pros.. you breakdown their mechanics and what you can of their processing.. after that.. it truly is a crap shoot.

Now.. on draft day.. picks come up.. I sit there and try to guess their pick as it comes up.. at least through the 3rd.. so call it a instant mock.. ;)

The draft is intriguing because it puts the GM on the spot for the only visible time of the year.. and the dynamics of the decisions and impact on the clubs is the draw for me.. verses.. trying to project a mock.

With that said.. I will project my guesses without someone sliding to the Packers.. IE a top 10 talent.

Hughes - OLB/DE TCU
Saffold - T Indiana. (Saffold over Brown if it comes to that.. Brown is a "momma's boy" from reports and may struggle mighty with the transition to the pros.. call it a guess. I want no soft emotional wreck anchoring the line. 😉 )

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At safety, I like Chad Jones from LSU and Allen out of S. Florida in the 2nd or 3rd. Tempted by May's measureables, but Jamal Reynolds also had ridiculous measureables...hell, the list of former players with high measureables is quite long. Plus, Ted likes big time players, from big time schools, with big time production....May's lacks the latter.

Jahvid Best is a tempting player, but his injuries, especially the recurrent concussions, scare the shit outta me. If he is that hurt in college, imagine the damage dealing with full-grown men.

My pick in Round 1 is Hughes, if available. But, Eric Norwood out of E. Carolina is a very tempting player a little later in the draft.

Hell, I don't know...a lot of players I like. My brain hurts!

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Rock's Hughes-love almost rivals my LT-love.

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In Best's defense, the BAD concussion he got was on a truly freakish play (2 guys hitting him and propelling him even higher and out of control) and had nothing to do with the size of players he was up against:


Best in the 1st and Chad Jones in the 2nd and I'd be a happy happy man. I want an OLB, but at the same time I'm excited to see how Brad Jones develops in year 2.

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I would be pretty happy with a Mays pick @ 23. I think in a QB division it makes sense to have a Mays on your D although I do question whether waiting for somebody like Chad Jones later gives you the Safety, but at a better price. I think the sexier option is to move up and try and get Berry, but I have serious doubts Ted would ever take such a gamble.

Staying at 23 and taking Kyle Wilson or Mike Iupati seem like where we are heading in my mind.

It is nice to think we are still a playoff calibre team without the draft. I hope we can get to the point where we are always in that mindset to draft for depth; but with the way of the league that is highly unlikely.

:sign5: you hot-linking prick!

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