RajiRoar
14 years ago
<--- worlds smallest link?


Under General Manager Ted Thompson, the draft has been the lifeblood of the Green Bay Packers.

Hes had his hits and misses, just like any other GM, but Thompson has stuck to his philosophy of building and reinforcing the core of the roster through the draft, and that will never change.

Through his first six drafts for Green Bay (2005-10), Thompson selected 58 players. How important were those drafts in building a champion? Of the 53 players on the Super Bowl XLV roster, 27 or just over half were drafted by Thompson. A total of 33 Thompson draft picks played for the Packers at some point in 2010.

Selecting which of those draft picks were his best requires consideration of multiple factors, including the players contributions to the team over his career and the value of the pick based on the round in which he was taken. Because the ultimate goal of every GM is to build a Super Bowl winner, a players role on that championship team factors in as well. The order in which these selections are ranked could change as soon as another season is played, of course.

All that said, heres one interpretation of Thompsons 10 best draft picks at this point in time, ranked in ascending order.

10. B.J. Raji, first round, 2009
When the Packers were on the clock with the ninth overall pick in 09, the Raiders surprising selection of receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey two slots earlier left Green Bay with two prime-time talents from which to choose Raji and receiver Michael Crabtree.

With the Packers making the transition to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Dom Capers, Thompson made the prudent call. The massive Raji is the prototypical nose tackle in a 3-4, and even though he played more end than nose as he battled nagging injuries as a rookie, he emerged in 2010 as the middle anchor that was envisioned.

Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac believes Raji was deserving of a Pro-Bowl bid last season, but he acknowledged that sometimes it takes a while for guys in the trenches to get their due. In any case, Raji looks like a fixture up front in Capers 3-4 for a long time to come.

9. Bryan Bulaga, first round, 2010
Projected to go much higher than 23rd overall, Bulaga was available to the Packers last year and Thompson didnt hesitate to snatch up the heir apparent to veteran left tackle Chad Clifton.

What puts Bulaga on this list despite just one year in the NFL is that he also was ready to step in at right tackle when Mark Tauscher was lost for the season to a shoulder injury, and he started the final 12 games of the regular season and the entire postseason on a championship team.

Injuries and lineup shuffling derailed any continuity on the offensive line through the first half of 2009, but the selection of Bulaga averted that when a key injury cropped up early in 2010. His performance in the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh pass-rusher LaMarr Woodley was commendable as well.

8. Desmond Bishop, sixth round, 2007
In the middle of the sixth round four years ago, the Packers were able to mine a good chunk of what remained on their draft board with three consecutive picks (191-193 overall). Thompson chose fullback Korey Hall, Bishop and kicker Mason Crosby, and while all have contributed annually since their rookie seasons, Bishop would seem to be the best pick of the bunch.

Thought by some scouts to be too slow to play linebacker in the NFL, Bishop quickly became a special-teams standout, leading the team in coverage tackles over the three-year span from 2007-09.

Last year, pressed into full-time duty on defense due to injuries to Nick Barnett and Brandon Chillar, Bishop seized his chance. He proved his impressive stats in two college seasons at Cal were no fluke, finishing second on the team in total tackles (121) to go along with three sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. He earned a new contract by seasons end and then added a key fumble recovery in the Super Bowl.

He waited a long time to get drafted and even longer to get to play, but thats the only way the words too slow apply to Bishops game now.

7. A.J. Hawk, first round, 2006
No, Hawk has not been the perennial Pro-Bowler and game-changer fans hoped for as the fifth overall pick in 06, but his play has been solid and has left the Packers with no regrets. Hawk hasnt missed a contest in his career, a total of 87 games including postseason.

This past year, after taking over the defensive signal-calling, teammates and coaches raved about his command in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. After leading the team in tackles in 2010 and intercepting three passes, hes turned out in some ways to be a better fit as a 3-4 inside linebacker than a 4-3 outside linebacker, which is what he played his first three seasons.

For those who still demand more out of such a high pick, look at the next five players drafted in 06 after Hawk tight end Vernon Davis, safeties Michael Huff and Donte Whitner, linebacker Ernie Sims and quarterback Matt Leinart. Only Davis has had a career on par with Hawks, and he didnt become the team-first player Hawks been until recently. Thompson reaffirmed his selection of Hawk by giving him a new contract last month.

6. Josh Sitton, fourth round, 2008
Known as a road-grader with a mean streak, Sitton was on track to start on the offensive line as a rookie until he hurt his knee. That only delayed his taking over full time at right guard until 09, and Sitton has started every game the last two years.

Named a Pro-Bowl alternate this past season, Sitton appears headed for honors like that on an annual basis. He was named the NFL Alumnis offensive lineman of the year in 2010.

Based on early returns, Sitton would grade out admirably as a first or second-round pick. For a fourth-rounder, hes a gem. He was the 22nd offensive lineman taken in 08 and the seventh guard, but the Packers couldnt have done much better.

5. Jermichael Finley, third round, 2008
Having played just two seasons at Texas and turning 21 only a month before the draft, Finley was considered by some a reach in the third round at 91st overall. Now he appears to have been a steal.

A dynamic, athletic tight end that changes the way teams defend Green Bays offense, Finley broke out in the second half of his second season and was off to a monster start last year before a knee injury in week five halted things.

Assuming he fully recovers, Finley will continue to be a playmaker as well as a security blanket for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who concedes that the 6-5, 247-pound target is always open, even when hes not open.

Thompson chose Finley where he did by projecting what the youngster could become. It looks like his ceiling isnt yet in sight.

4. Clay Matthews, first round, 2009
The Packers had Matthews rated as a top-15 talent and, when he was still on the board in the early 20s, Thompson made a stunning but shrewd move.

By trading back into the first round to snag Matthews with the 26th pick, Thompson drafted two vital pieces to the new 3-4 defense a nose tackle in Raji and outside pass-rusher in Matthews just hours apart and gave Capers a treasure trove of young talent as a foundation.

All Matthews has done is make the Pro Bowl and lead the team in sacks in each of his first two seasons. He and veteran cornerback Charles Woodson were the two defenders opposing offenses paid the most attention to in 2010, and its a given every offensive game plan against the Packers in 2011 will account for Matthews on page one.

Considering hes only played two seasons, theres room for Matthews to move up this list in the years to come, though that wont be easy, considering the competition.

3. Nick Collins, second round, 2005
Coming from a strange-sounding school but with a plain-sounding name, Bethune-Cookmans Collins had many fans asking, Who? and Where? But Thompson maximized on the trade involving disgruntled cornerback Mike McKenzie by getting Collins at 51st overall, and he hinted to the fans the player Collins would become by giving him LeRoy Butlers old jersey number, 36.

Collins has been a starter since his first game as a rookie, and he has evolved from a steady traffic cop for the defense into one of the top playmakers in the league at his position. Collins intercepted just four passes in his first three seasons but has intercepted 17 over the last three in making the Pro Bowl each year.

His interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl will go down as one of the most memorable plays in team history and, by all indications, Collins is far from making his final impression.

2. Greg Jennings, second round, 2006
The one question surrounding Jennings when he was selected 52nd overall in 06 was whether his record-breaking, stat-crazy career at Western Michigan had him truly ready for NFL coverages.

As soon as Jennings took the field in his first mini-camp in Green Bay, though, he was wowing onlookers with his polished routes and graceful body control, and the wonder was whether NFL coverages were ready for him.

Jennings came up just 80 yards shy of 1,000 in 2007 or hed have four straight 1,000-yard campaigns now. Hes also had two seasons with 12 touchdown catches and another with nine. Hes a constant big-play threat who has averaged an eye-popping 31.5 yards per TD catch in his career, and hes clutch at crunch time with three 100-yard games and five TDs in seven postseason contests.

When Finley went down last season, defenses turned even more attention to Jennings, but they couldnt slow him down. He averaged six catches for 109 yards per game over the first seven contests Finley missed, production that kept the offense rolling when it had to adjust on the fly.

1. Aaron Rodgers, first round, 2005
Thompsons first draft as Packers GM demonstrated how it always pays to be thorough in ones preparation.

Rodgers was the potential number one overall pick, and if he didnt go first, he was sure to be the second quarterback taken. No one realistically projected hed be available to the Packers at 24, but Thompson and Co. had done their homework and were ready.

The rest, as they say, is history. Rodgers apprenticed for three years under Brett Favre, took the reins in a tumultuous summer of 2008, and led the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl title in his third season as the starter.

NFL franchises are built around quarterbacks and Thompson had a franchise quarterback in place when he arrived. It didnt stop him from finding Green Bays next one right away, however, which makes his first pick his best.



MintBaconDrivel
Dec, 11, 2012 - FOREVER!
Stevetarded
14 years ago
I guess you are pretty good when someone says BJ Raji is your 10th best pick.
blank
millertime
14 years ago
Not to mention the great undrafted players he has brought in like Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.

I love Ted!
beast
14 years ago
I have to say I think Raji and Matthews are both higher than that. And Finley might be lower than that....

Matthews might be a two 2 guy with Rodgers, in a team with Jenkins, Raji, Woodson, Collins, Williams and others... offense seem to focus on Matthews (and sometimes Woodson).

Raji play seems to mainly gone unnoticed as he's a NT and others are more flashy in the nickel package but he played great. The team had a lot of guys in the front 7 get injured like Matthews, Jenkins, Pickett, Barnett, Jones and others... and looked like it would fall apart at some points... but the glue held it together... and Raji and Hawk were the glue and Raji played great even when he was the focus on running plays. He still made an impact. I think Raji is in the top 3 to 6 with Jennings, Collins and Sitton...

Finley has a ton of talent and a ton of potential, I think we all know that. But he has 82 catches for 1,051 yards in 3 years. It's kind of hard for me to put him ahead of Raji and Sitton...
UserPostedImage
Stevetarded
14 years ago
Mine would be

1. Rodgers
2. Sitton
3. Matthews
4. Jennings
5. Collins
6. Raji
7. Finley
8. Bishop
9. Hawk
10. Bulaga

Based mostly on how the players rate compared to their peers. IMO all of the top 5 are top 3 or top 5 in the league at their position.
blank
Greg C.
14 years ago
Gotta love that tiny link. It worked, though.

I like the list. It is notable that five of Ted's six first round picks are on the list--a percentage that Ron Wolf must envy. Initially I was surprised to see Desmond Bishop on there, but considering that he was a sixth round pick, it makes sense. Although Finley missed out on the Super Bowl, to be the caliber of player he is as a third round pick is remarkable, so I understand that one too.

My one big change to the list: I would switch Raji and Hawk. Raji was not quite as much of an obvious pick as Hawk, and he was taken four spaces later, but he is more of an impact player. So I would put Raji at #7 and Hawk at #10.
blank
Fan Shout
TheKanataThrilla (50m) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (6h) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (6h) : Agree
dfosterf (6h) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (7h) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (7h) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (11h) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (13h) : Great point Martha
beast (13h) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (16h) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (16h) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (16h) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (18h) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (20h) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (20h) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (20h) : 4rd
dfosterf (20h) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (20h) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (20h) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (20h) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (21h) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (22h) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (22h) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (22h) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (22h) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
TheKanataThrilla (22h) : Hopefully she had some comfort that her son will be live his dream when she passed away. Sad news.
Mucky Tundra (23h) : Damn that sucks
Zero2Cool (23h) : News about Derrick Harmon mom, saddening.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Mark Murphy: "I predict we will trade up once and down twice."
beast (25-Apr) : Rip the Packers and getting the fans yelling and booing him
beast (25-Apr) : Super competitive Bears fan and WWE "superstar" wrestler, Seth Rollins is supposed to announce a Bears pick and absolutely rip Packers
packerfanoutwest (25-Apr) : Golden
beast (25-Apr) : I want DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : And I can't be looking at my phone
Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : Hey I'm at work lol
Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : btw, new site chat won't delete auto like
Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : because everyone left like wimps
TheKanataThrilla (24-Apr) : I am wondering if there is some type of autoclear when there isn't activity after a certain amount of time.
Mucky Tundra (24-Apr) : What happened in the chat? Me and Zero posted a few things earlier and they're all gone
dfosterf (24-Apr) : 10-15 min bs plus flyover
dfosterf (24-Apr) : Yes
Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : 7pm is when this kicks off????
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : I told him. IT'S VONTE MACK , no matter what!
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : He asked me who I thought The Browns were taking.
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : 2. Would of had to wear Browns gear all week. NOPE I'll watch from my living room.
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : He wanted to know if I would go. 2 things, would have had to fly from Detroit to Green Bay. Nope
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : All expense paid trip to the draft. He will be in the Browns section. I told him to say hi to J-10VE for me 😃😃i
buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : For a call from my nephew, he won an sllexp
TheKanataThrilla (24-Apr) : Hope to see everyone in the Chat tonight!!! Go Pack Go!!!
TheKanataThrilla (24-Apr) : Jeanty would be a great pick-up for the Bears. I see Warren mocked to them as well who I think would be a great selection.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Recent Topics
now / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

14m / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

43m / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

52m / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

4h / Green Bay Packers Talk / earthquake

4h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

5h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

13h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

23h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

25-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

25-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / TheKanataThrilla

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.