I thought it was a nice solid draft.
1. Raji vs. Crabtree
I would've gone Crabtree, but that doesn't mean Raji is a bad pick. People go nuts if they don't get the guy they want, but you can't look at it through one perspective. You have to look at the big picture. There is more than one great player in the draft. I think both are going to be great. I like Crabtree as the best player in the draft, but Raji was rated higher than 9th on my board as well so it's not a total loss.
I've been high on Raji all along. I think he's an excellent player. I watched every Senior Bowl practice. I covered it for FFJ and he was the best player there. He was a man amongst boys and getting him at No. 9 is still solid value and fills a need.
2. Trading up for Clay Matthews
They gave up a little much for my liking, but just looking at Matthews as a player, he's pretty good. I rated Matthews 14th overall on my board. I thought he was the best of the USC linebackers. He can rush the passer and he won't blow his assignment like missing the FB in the flat in a clutch situation.
I think he starts.
3. TJ Lang
Solid pick. I think he'll compete for a starting job down the road. I like that he's a little bigger than some of the offensive lineman GB has been going with. Good technique and I think he can play just about anywhere on the roster.
I bet he gets looks at RT as early as this year.
4. Quinn Johnson
Special teams guy IMO. They need special teams players and he could do that. Not a pass catcher, but could be a power run blocker for short yardage situations.
Maybe practice squad too.
5. Jamon Meredith
This is a solid pick IF Meredith listens. I really don't know how uncoachable he is, but it does sound like he's a little arrogant in some of the answers he gave. I think he'll get looks at both tackle and guard. He could start down the road. He was my No. 7 overall tackle.
6. Jarius Wynn
I didn't get this pick that much. It's a DE that needs to add weight. He's a project and we'll see where he is when he reports to training camp. He could be at 285 by then and that would be good. They need five techniques and I liked Ricky Jean-Francois better at that point.
7. Brandon Underwood
Another versatile player. He'll play safety or corner. Very similar to Al Harris in the way he plays, but he'll need a lot of time before he sees the field. If he makes the roster it'd be as a No. 6 corner IMO.
8. Brad Jones
Looks like an inside backer on paper and maybe an inside pass rusher at that, but he'll need to prove he's able to contribute on special teams if he's going to make the roster.
Overall I see at least two starters right away and possibly four down the road.
I'd give it a B. I thought if you don't include the Cutler deal to Chicago, GB had the best draft in the division. If you do include Cutler to Chicago, got give it to the Bears and I liked their draft too so it's not just Cutler.