Major Needs
Secondary: Morgan Burnett signed a lucrative contract to start the year, and responded with a sub-par performance starting in week-one when Anquan Boldin set the Packers secondary (and the fantasy football world) on fire. Behind Burnett there is little talent and depth, in a division with Jay Cutler and Mathew Stafford, secondary play has to be in tip top shape.
Linebacker: Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers is fun to say for Packer fans, but the middle of the linebacker sandwich is missing the meat. Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk are sailing the ship from the inside and have been adequate at best as they continue to get older. Bringing in a talented rookie to push both starters and learn as their eventual replacement is something to watch for on draft day.
Tight End: Lets be honest Aaron Rodgers can make do with what he’s got, but after Jermichael Finely’s devastating injury, tight end became an immediate position of need. Incorporating a dynamic play-maker from the tight end position could add a whole new dimension for Rodgers and the offense.
Offensive Line: The entire state of Wisconsin went into a state of emergency after their beloved Rodgers crawled to the sideline for the second-half of the season. Afterwards, Ted Thompson secretly vowed to do everything in his power to make sure that would never happen again. Targeting an offensive lineman with versatility is higher on Thompson’s list than many fans want to think and is what I have them projected to select in round one.
Day-One Targets
Zach Martin: As stated above, after Rodgers late season injury, offensive line is a bigger need than most assume for Thompson and the Packers. Believe it or not, Zach Martin is the top-offensive lineman on some big boards because of his versatility. Martin excels on the interior of the line, but can swing out and play on the outside at either tackle position. Thompson puts high value on versatile players, and Martin is exactly that, if he’s still available he is a lock as the Packers first-round selection.
Jimmie Ward: I personally sat and watched as Ted Thompson sat on the sideline of Senior Bowl practice, radiating excitement over Ward. Ward, who put on a clinic in Mobile, boosted his stock as much as anyone not named Aaron Donald, and has leapfrogged to the number two safety in the class. Adding a safety like Ward, who can lay the hammer, and excel in coverage, would be a tremendous help playing in this pass-happy division.
C.J. Mosley: Mosley is head-and-shoulders above his peers when it comes to stepping in and contributing right away. Mosley was the leader of Alabama’s stingy defense because of his football IQ, and leadership qualities. Dom Capers would love this chess piece, considering Mosley’s ability to stop the run, drop back in coverage, and blitz the passer. Adding him into the mix of big names like Peppers and Mathews, would quickly make this unit one of the best in the league.
Day-Two Targets
Jace Amaro: Depending on how you use your tight-end, Amaro could make a case as the best tight end in the draft. Amaro was split out at wide receiver almost 50 percent of his snaps, and produced like one too. Giving Rodgers and the offense a dynamic play-maker like Amaro would add a whole new dimension to this ever changing offense.
Chris Borland: If they can’t grab Mosley in the first, Borland would be a wonderful constellation prize. Borland will be drafted lower than his production says he should because he is undersized for the position. However, Borland writes the book on technique when it comes to how to play the position. A smart, tough, and fundamental tackling linebacker like Borland is exactly what this unit needs.
Phillip Gaines: A fast riser since the combine, Gaines killed his 40-time and field drills all week in Indianapolis. A great combination of size and speed, Gaines would provide great depth and an insurance policy to the two Packers cornerbacks that are returning from injury.
Mid-to-Late Round Targets
Brent Urban: A monster of a man, Urban measureed in at 6’7” 295 pounds during weigh ins. Urban has the size for a natural 3-4 defensive end and has the athleticism to be a quality starter with time. With the packers looking to upgrade the position, Urbans upside will be tempting in the later rounds.
Jarred Abbrederis: To keep this hometown Wisconsin boy in state would be a win for both parties. Abbrederis doesn’t have the 40-time or the vertical jump teams look for, but he was the most consistent weapon for the Badgers every down he was on the field, and help will fill the void of James Jones who left for Oakland, with his precise route-running and big catch radius.
Ty Zimmerman: The Kansas State safety product didn’t get invited to the combine, but that doesn’t mean teams have written him off yet. Not a physical freak, but Zimmerman has the football awareness for the safety position that helps him play mistake-free football in the back end of the defense. As a late round selection, Zimmerman would actually come in and compete for the starting job, which makes him excellent value on day three.
Final Seven-Round Mock
1. (21) C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
2. (53) Deone Bucannon, Safety, Washington State
3. (85) Phillip Gaines, Cornerback, Rice
4. (98) Daquan Jones, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
5. (121) Cyril Richardson, Interior Offensive Lineman, Baylor
6. (161) Jared Abberderis, Wide Receiver, Wisconsin
7. (176) Jack Mewhort, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
8. (197) Brent Urban, Defensive End, Virginia
9. (236) Colt Lyera, Tight End, Oregon