Collegiate sprites and graduate hopefuls weren't the only ones hoping to make the cut this past early May weekend. The National Football League's yearly soap opera, the 79th annual draft, came and went with arguably the most drama (and attention) than it has ever garnered. From Johnny Manziel's epic fall-and rise-in the 1st Round, to the selection of Michael Sam just a few picks before the end of the 7th, social media coverage made sure that the potentates of pigskin overtook the NBA playoffs in network cable viewership.
Just as many super seniors worked hard for a diploma-securing final passing grade, numerous teams diligently combed the country and utilized every round in order to build their squads for the upcoming season. The Green Bay Packers, with GM Ted Thompson being notorious as a scouting sage, were no different. How did the Pack fare this year? Based off of earlier prognostications, let's take a look at how GB fared in the '14 NFL Draft:
Round 1 Selection: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S Alabama
This was a no-brainer for Packers brass. With the Pittsburgh Steelers "stealing" speed merchant LB Ryan Shazier away with the 15th pick, and the Ravens nabbing 'backer C.J. Mosley soon thereafter at seventeen, the best option GB had was the Crimson Tide center-fielder. Even with Calvin Pryor out of Louisville going to the Jets before him, Clinton-Dix by all accounts was the best coverage safety available this year-a glaring need in the Green Bay secondary. Pencil him in as the starting free safety opening week. Grade=A
Round 2 Selection: Davante Adams, WR Fresno State
Did the Pack get aggressive in the second as was suggested previously in "Tinkering in Titletown: Green Bay Packers 2014 NFL Mock Draft"? Well, yes and no. GB did not move up to acquire multiple higher-rated players in this round. In fact, (to the shegrin of certain Packer Backers) the "Silver Fox" was relatively conservative this year. The staunch, BPA motto was the theme over a three-day session which saw no trades by Green Bay.
That doesn't mean the Packers didn't make waves, however. Presumably observing a run of top-flight pass catchers come off the board and ready to get their guy, Green Bay snatched the 131-catch Californian with their only pick in the round. Adams' size, run-after-catch ability, and propensity to attack footballs makes him almost the perfect candidate to replace James Jones in the offense. The beauty of this selection is that, when coupled with the current roster and other draft day signings, there is wiggle room for the former Bulldog to develop. Expect him to be an impact #3 wideout for Aaron Rodgers this fall. Grade=A
Round 3-1st Selection: Khyri Thornton, DL Southern Mississippi
This was most definitely the head-scratcher round for Packers fans. In typical Ted Thompson fashion, Green Bay looked in unconventional directions with picks #85 and #98. Thornton has prototype 3-4 size and a decent motor, but his lack of gaudy production (39 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1/2 sack) on a horrid team raises questions. A shake-of-the-dice pick for depth, designed to make Thompson look smart in 2-3 years. Grade=B-
Round 3-2nd Selection: Richard Rodgers, TE California
Easily the biggest reach of the lot. And the hardest to project, considering the son of an NFL coach lost 30+ pounds to play inside WR last year in Sonny Dykes' "Air Raid" attack with the Golden Bears. His YPC average was amongst the top in college football, but his lack of straight-line speed for the position and mediocre-at-best blocking technique don't signal the second coming of Jermichael Finley. When taking into consideration GB could have made a reach for the defensive side by picking Seminole Telvin Smith instead, who has much better measurables and upside as a nickel linebacker, this by far was the worst decision made by the green and gold. Grade=C
Round 4 Selection: Carl Bradford, LB Arizona State
Looking back a decade from now, Bradford, not Clinton-Dix, will be the hallmark of this year's draft by Green Bay. Arguably the most glaring need the Packers had on D was not at safety, but inside linebacker. While A.J. Hawk has produced at a surprisingly high level as of late, the overall lack of lateral speed and coverage ability at the position has been an Achilles heel of the unit. In short, Colin Kaepernick has torched the Packers because of the lack of athleticism at ILB. In order to compete with the 49ers/Seahawks, an upgrade is needed. Fast.
Initially this pick seemed foolish-a tweener without a true position who probably doesn't have enough size to be an every down 3-4 OLB. When looking closer, however, Carl Bradford just might be the beginning of an answer to the Kaepernick puzzle. At 6'1'' and 250 lbs, with a knack for big plays and fluid movement in rare coverage situations, he should be auditioning for Brad Jones' spot in the lineup.
As a "devil-backer" in ASU's D, Bradford played all over the field, whether it be defensive end, outside or inside linebacker. His experience in those positions will be useful in the myriad of sub-packages, old and new, that Dom Capers will throw at teams this year. If Bradford can adjust quickly to the pro level and find ways to contribute, he could be part of the difference in Green Bay making deeper playoff runs for the next few seasons. Grade=C+
Round 5-1st Selection: Corey Linsley, C Ohio State
Tough, strong offensive lineman with pedigree. Team captain who started every game last year for the Buckeyes; manned a deadly rushing attack from up-front. Provides competition at a position of concern-only problem with it is that it was too soon. Linsley probably would have been available later on or even could have been signed as an UDFA. This pick should have been LB Jordan Zumwalt out of UCLA. Grade=C+
Round 5-2nd Selection: Jared Abbrederis, WR Wisconsin
The first Badger selected in the Thompson-led Packer era, and the only pick properly predicted from the aforementioned mock draft. He will he be an immediate plug-and-play slot receiver for AR12. Plus, Abbrederis can provide some punch in the return game, allowing Randall Cobb and Micah Hyde to focus on their respective play on offense and defense. Grade=A
Round 6 Selection: Demetri Goodson, CB Baylor
The former guard for Gonzaga's basketball team will have to turn alot of heads in order to make the team. Has good size and obvious flashes of athletic brilliance for a corner, but is still raw and has an injury-laden past. If he can find a way to make the roster, might possibly be a future alternative to Davon House-or even 2013's main underachiever for the green and gold, Tramon Williams. Grade=C+
Round 7 Selection: Jeff Janis, WR Saginaw Valley State
Excellent way to close out the draft. If you're gonna go small-school, go big. The NFL has a history of having big-time wideouts come from little-known programs. Pierre Garcon and Marques Colston come to mind. Janis has the impressive stats (83 catches for 1,572 yards and 14 TDs) to go with the eye-opening measurables (4.42 40 yard dash, top WR combine performer with 20 bench press reps and 6.64 3-cone drill) that make him a steal. Green Bay will re-sign Cobb and back-shoulder fade specialist Jordy Nelson. But having insurance policies/added depth within a strength position isn't ever a bad thing. Especially considering he was projected as a potential mid-rounder, the Packers couldn't have done any better with this move. Grade=A
Green Bay did themselves well with their draft picks in 2014. Did they get "bigger, faster, and stronger" enough to tackle the best of the NFC West? On paper, maybe not. The Packers organization believes in its system. This draft was a testament of feeding their system, as opposed to trying to copy what is vogue around the league. Based off their off-season areas of concern, and the vow to improve on defense, GB supplemented their team in a way that fans should feel excited about. Overall Grade=B
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