With Their First Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Packers Select…
“Nothing gold can stay,” Pony Boy once said, or Robert Frost once penned, and so, neither can your golden memories of an NFL Draft on the weekend — two glorious days and a cloud of dust.
Sure, you might be able to fit seven rounds — or more — in two days, but that doesn’t leave much time for commercials. Television dollars dictate that three days are greater than two. They also tell us that it makes no sense to start the draft in the morning, before the west coasters have even had their morning coffee. No way. It wouldn’t be fair for the fans in L.A. to miss the pick that the team they don’t have won’t be picking. Not at all.
And so, gold subsides to green.
Tonight, in prime time, the 2013 NFL Draft begins. However, before you head off to that big draft party, keep in mind that Thursday’s salvo includes only the first round of the draft. That means it is entirely conceivable the Green Bay Packers could trade down, out of the round, and leave you with a big fat zero to celebrate. It would be a good idea to have a contingency plan to fall back on — like booze, women or a really good bean dip.
Fortunately, trading out of the round is a possibility, but not the most likely one. Instead, here is a quick rundown of the latest word…
1. Best defensive lineman available — The rumor from OTAs is that B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly all showed up fat and out of shape, meaning more than usual. Even though, I believe all three of these guys would say they are completely in shape, and that shape is ROUND. With Pickett needing a replacement anyway (he’s 33), the belief here is that the defensive line is the Packers’ greatest need. Sylvester Williams and Datone Jones are popular picks, but I am going to lean towards the more worldly Margus Hunt.
2. Tyler Eifert — It might be hard to believe the Packers would take a tight end in the first round, but in Eifert, they would have a true best player available, or at least, the best player at his position in this draft. He would make the Packers better immediately and allow them to clear $8 million in cap space next season when aloha means goodbye for Jermichael Finley.
3. Eddie Lacy — Most national pundits are moving away from the Packers taking a running back in the first round. However, the local guys continue to embrace it. I think Lacy is a much less likely option than the top two, but I would still rank him as the third most likely pick. The Packers talking with Cedric Benson could mean that they don’t like what they see from Alex Green and James Starks. If those guys are still bothered by their injuries, then DuJuan Harris is currently the only healthy halfback on the roster. The power back, Lacy would be a great change of pace from Harris.
4. Eric Reid — I am not backing off from the belief that a big-time safety like Reid would be great for the Packers. However, there is depth at this position in the draft and on the Packers’ roster.
5. Trade down — It is alleged that rounds two and three are the strength of this draft. With that being the case, it is quite possible that Ted Thompson may look to amass multiple picks in those rounds. One of Thompson’s core beliefs is that drafting quantity best leads to quality. In 2008, Thompson traded out of the first round with the 29th pick and ended up with three second-round picks.
Some still maintain that the Packers might take an offensive tackle with the 26th pick, but with four offensive tackles already on the roster, including two first-round picks, I find that hard to believe. I think it is more likely that the Packers would take a guard or center in the middle rounds. If Evan Dietrich-Smith struggles as a starter, or T.J. Lang has a season like last year, then it would be nice to have a developing player behind them.
Regardless, let’s hope for an impact pick in round one… and good bean dip.
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My wish-list:
1.) Kyle Long, C/G -Oregon
2.) Best available RB…Jonathan Franklin, UCLA…Stepfan Taylor, Stanford…Kenjon Barner, Oregon
…………………OR……………………
1.) Eddie Lacy
2.) Best available Offensive Lineman
DEFENSIVE LINE GOD DAMNIT.
Love the intro paragraph.
We *really* need help on the defensive line if Pickett is showing up like a lard. I’m not actually surprised to hear that Raji is out of shape. He seems to think he can work on talent alone.
Sylvester Williams or Tyler Eifert would nice picks. I’m not big on taking a TE in the first round but I’ll stand by my “take the best player” over need philosophy. He would certainly be a great (and possibly impactful) player. And we could tell Finley to take a hike next year too. Heck, maybe it would motivate him! Williams sound like a nasty player. We need more of that.
I hear Eddie Lacy showed up out of shape and sucked at his Pro Day. I can’t seem anybody taking him the first round. Except for a desperate team, to which they are plenty.
So, who knows. The only thing I think it certain is that Thompson won’t be trading up.
I’m OK with Eifert too. If he comes as advertised Jerkmichael could play special teams and/or sit on the bench and/or get traded. We’d only be on the hook for his 3 mil bonus if we traded him. Listen to me, only 3 mil…………………………..I wish………….
Matt Elam
Datone Jones
Kawann Short
These are my guys for the Packers at pick 26, but I could Definatley see Ted trading down. Also, I say fuck margus hunt and eddy lacy, if we pick either of these dudes in 1 I’ll be pissed!
I’d love Franklin in the second, we would probably have to move up though. If he’s gone we should take ball, the kids exactly what we need in a rb.
I like Franklin as well. I think he and Marcus Lattimore are both possibilities in rounds 2-4.
can’t wait for the overreaction for how TT is an idiot and doesn’t know what he’s doing.
I want a def.tackle and def. end that can get to the Q.B. because Raji, pickett,worthy,mcdaniel and perry do not excite me.Also makes the dbs jobs easier.Because M.M. likes to run his backs up the middle for no gain,give a big back that can make his owe 3rd and 1for a 1st down Than I do not give a crap who they get after that Well maybe a TE so we can get rid of the one we have now who is love with himself
REAL Mock draft Rd#1 I was right with Pick #1–I doubt the rest fall in this order…but…
1. Chiefs – Eric Fisher
2. Jags- Sharrif Floyd
3. Raiders – Star Lotulelei
4. Eagles – Luke Joeckel
5. Lions – Dee Milliner
6. Browns – Chance Warmack
7. Cardinals – Lane Johnson
8. Bills – Cordarrelle Patterson
9. Jets – Dion Jordan
10. Titans – Kenny Vaccaro
11. Chargers – Jonathan Cooper
12. Dolphins – D.J. Fluker
13. Bucs – Arthur Brown
14. Panthers – Sheldon Richardson
15. Saints – Jarvis Jones
16. Rams – DeAndre Hopkins
17. Steelers – Barkevious Mingo
18. Cowboys – Ezekiel Ansah
19. Giants – Bjoern Werner
20. Bears – Manti Te’o
21. Bengals – Jonathan Cyprien
22. St. Louis – Eric Reid
23. Vikings – Desmond Trufant
24. Colts – Jesse Williams
25. Vikings – Johnathan Hankins
26. Packers – Datone Jones
27. Texans – Keenan Allen
28. Broncos – Cornelius “Tank” Carradine
29. Patriots – Sylvester Williams
30. Falcons – Xavier Rhodes
31. 49ers – Tavon Austin
32. Ravens – Alec Ogletree
I loved Datone Jones the first 3 times Ted drafted him, when he called himself Jerel Worthy, Mike Neal, and Mike Daniels. Maybe one of these years Ted should draft an actual starter at the position. I hope Margus Hunt turns into JJ Watt 2.0
He has drafted two starters at the position. Their names are Mike Neal and BJ Raji.
I said actual starter, not starter by default. Obviously somebody has to start. Doesn’t mean they are qualified or they would have replacements drafted in the first two rounds every year.
This is Pickett’s last season. Raji will be moved into his spot in the base. Jones will take Raji’s spot in the nickel and dime.
Eventually, Jones will likely be in the base as well. Ideally, two years from now, the base will be Neal, Raji and Jones. Neal is a 5-7 sacks a year guy if he can stay healthy.
Datone jone and Richard seymore have similarities… That’s high praise but I assure you that this kid will not bust… (Barring injury)