Walter Football
23 - Green Bay Packers: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Aaron Rodgers has received much better pass protection since losing to the Buccaneers, but relying on Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher for another year is not a good idea. Green Bay's No. 1 priority this offseason is finding a top-notch left tackle for Rodgers.
I missed a week, but by losing our last game and moving one spot up the draft chart again, we went back from Barksdale to Bulaga. Something I prefer. If Bulaga is gone, I'd rather take a long look at Jerry Hughes than reach on a tackle like Barksdale.
Bulaga is fine by me, this late in the 1st round.
NFL Draft Dog
26 - OLB/DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
Graham would be the perfect fit in the Packers 34 defense. He could play OLB opposite Clay Mathews.
Graham has been super productive this year, ranked #1 in the nation with 26 tackles for loss (TFL) and 10.5 sacks.
With Hughes being long gone in this mock draft by 26, this would be a great value pick. Apparently, he can get to the QB quite well and has progressed every year in college. Who knows where he can go?
Draft Countdown
26 - Green Bay Packers, Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Shoddy offensive line play has absolutely killed the Packers at times in 2009, which is ironic because they have actually invested quite a few draft resources on blockers over the years. Unfortunately most of those picks have been devoted to interior guys and they have neglected the tackle position. Chad Clifton is now in his mid-30s and once again battling injuries so its time to bring in a top talent to groom as his successor. Iowas Bryan Bulaga isnt the elite pro prospect that some have made him out to be, at least not yet, but he could be a factor in the mid-to-late first round if he opts to go pro after his junior season. A good but not great athlete with prototypical size and long arms, Bulaga is a solid all-around blocker who can hold his own as a pass protector and also maul in the run game. A local Midwest product, Bulaga would be an ideal fit in Green Bay, where he could begin his career on the right side before eventually replacing Clifton at left tackle. The additions of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews in round one last year were a very good start but the Packers still need some more help on defense too as they continue their conversion to a 3-4 scheme.
This one finally updated again. We drop 6 spots, but still get dealt Bulaga. I think I've said enough about him.
Football's Future
26 - Green Bay - Charles Brown, OT, USC
Keeping Aaron Rodgers healthy and on the field is a must for the Packers to continue to improve. Chad Clifton isnt getting any younger and isnt the best pass blocker regardless. Brown is an excellent athlete that has the toughness to fit in. He may need a little work and some time to bulk up, but Brown has the ability to be a very solid left tackle.
I don't see Brown falling to the 26 spot. Just like I don't see Spiller dropping to 21, where this site had him mocked to us, as well.
Maybe this is possibility if Brown does something horrible at the combine. Something like posting low on all the agility drills. That'd hurt him tremendously, as he's known as an athletic guy, having played TE before converting to an OT.