My view on the draft is not that far off from Ted Thompson's if you think you know how Ted drafts.

Some positions are drafted higher than others. They are more valuable.
A good LT or CB rarely enter the free agent market. Some like RB and LB you can find good players available later. That said let's look at what the Packers need.

1) CB Remember you draft for the future and not for 2009. Woodson was the exception to finding a good one in free agency and these guys rarely develop into great ones. You have to draft quality high in the draft.

2) DT The 3-4 requires a huge disruptive force in the middle. Pickett and Jolly are in the last year of their contracts. Jolly is project at DE. The excuse for getting rid of Harrell will be he doesn't fit the scheme. Without a top notch NT the 3-4 falls apart. Their legs get rolled up on a lot so having healthy reserves is important.

3) OT Giacommini and Moll are not the answer at RT. Even with Tauscher signed health is a question. Clifton's health is a question mark as well as his cap number. Some still are not sold on Colledge or Barbre.

4) LB The 3-4 transition will reveal problems like Barnett's inability to take on O Linemen. A severe shortcoming in the 3-4. Look for more 3-4 friendly LB's and a trade of some that don't fit. Hunter should blossom. Don't be suprised if this isn't part of the 2010 thread on the draft. Kampmann will move to DE again due to injuries. Some intelligence is needed for the many blitz packages.


Now the lesser priorities.

5) 3-4 DE's The defense is rebuilding for the 3-4. Bigger DE's

6) A good blocking TE. Yes you can put Moll out there but Lee and Finley are pass catchers.

7) Safety depth. Peprah and Bush just can be beaten out of a roster spot.

8) RB Jackson may be more of a 3rd string guy than a #2.


The Packers may be the most active in free agency since Thompson's arrival as they attempt to rebuild for the 3-4.

Change is not always for the better.

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The only thing I disagree with is the CB this year. Drafting for the future is fine, but there are times where that future also blends with now. Everyone keeps saying Woodson and Harris are getting old. But at CB at least we have Williams who looks really good for the future, and a possibility in Lee that is completely unknown. A 2nd day flyer on a CB is fine. First day, there is enough positions that are needed for the future and now.

OT, has just as much if not more of an age problem. Even if Tauscher and Clifton are both around, they are about as old as Woody and Harris. And I think OT has less of a life expectancy as good CBs. There is no player on the team that stands out as a starting tackle either Left or Right. I do think that Colledge could be a very good RT, I don't have faith in him on the Left.

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I think the main priorities in this draft is

Offensive tackle- to eventually replace the aging tackles and protect our franchise QB. The OT class is deep this year so there is no excuse for not picking a good one.

Nose tackle- Pickett is not going to play every snap and we need one who can play in that position to rotate.

Outside linebacker- Need guys with the right size and height be successful in the 3-4. Generating pass rush is the main reason for the scheme change so that position will be looked closely.

Defensive end- With question marks over Harrell and the uncertainty over Jolly's court case, we are looking thin in that area. There is a lack of top quality DE's in the draft so i expect them to address this position in free agency where there are a few guys who havent been tagged are available for serious consideration.

Offensive guard- Moll and Barbre doesn't fill you with confidence so it's essential that we provide better quality depth in that position. I expect us to use our 4th or 5th round pick to address that need.

Safety- Ive been reading in a few places saying that the safeties are the QB of your defence. That requires them to be intelligent footballers. Im not sure we have those in Collins and Bigby. Collins athleticism and speed is extremely useful and is nicely complemented with the aggressive and hard hitting nature of Bigby. Maybe we could bring someone else in to provide competition with Bigby but unfortunately the safety class in the draft looks pretty weak to me this year.

Cornerback- This position is the least of our concerns, whilst it still has room for improvement i dont expect us to aggressively upgrade this position unless your name is Malcolm Jenkins. Woodson and Harris can still play another year and they dont have the same question marks hanging over them like we do with our aging offensive tackles so im not too worried about upgrading that position for now. We have a good back ups in Williams and a 2nd rounder in Lee.

Wide reciever- Since Ted Thompson likes to draft WR's it could mean that Martin's time at the club is over. I expect him to find a small school prospect in the late rounds.

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1 - Pass Rush

Got to have a pass rush otherwise the defense won't be any different than last year. The QB will just have three lineman on the field instead of four.

2 - Defensive Line

Need a DE and NT here for sure.

3 - Offensive Line

Need help at guard and tackle.

That's pretty much 1, 2, and 3 in any order really in my opinion.

Then you get into the 2nd tier in my opinion which consists of corner, safety, punter, running back, and really guys who can play special teams.

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I agree with this. We are fine at CB for the time being.

And to the OP: You really think BJack is a number 3?

Perhaps your right.

I think the NT is very important in the 3-4.

They have to find a Gilbert Brown type.....or better.

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1. Rush LB
2. NT
3. DE (hopefully erased if we sign Canty/Igor)
4. OT

The way I see it, GB's needs are divided into two groups, 1) Acquiring playmaker(s) on defense that fits into the 3-4 scheme (3-4OLB, 3-4DE, NT), and 2) Addressing aging positions (OT, CB). With the first you hope you get a player who can contribute quickly and help disrupt opposing offenses, which will aid our solid pass D. With the second, you try to be responsible and get people to develop who will help in a year or two (or three). I'm always going back and forth on which group I think is more important.

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