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Green Bay Packers see prospects at positions of need
BY PETE DOUGHERTY • pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com • February 27, 2010
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Buzz up!Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A INDIANAPOLIS – It’s no secret the Green Bay Packers are looking for a left tackle in this year’s draft.
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Chad Clifton, 33, who’s manned that position the last 10 years, is an unrestricted free agent, and his successor at that critical position is not on the Packers’ roster.
The Packers are trying to re-sign Clifton before he hits the open market March 5, but there’s no guarantee a deal will get done. Even if it does, Clifton’s declining play and precarious health leaves the Packers needing to draft a player who can fill in when his injuries hit this season and to replace him a year down the road.
Drafting that player probably will cost a high pick, because of the scarcity of players who can adequately protect a quarterback’s back side. This year’s draft happens to be reasonably deep at left tackle – there’s a decent chance six left tackles will go in the first round, though many scouts are convinced four could go in the first nine picks.
“I’d take’ em as soon as I could get’ em,” said Charley Casserly, the former general manager for Washington and Houston who is working the draft as an on-air analyst for the NFL Network. “History shows if you analyze the first round, if you analyze Pro Bowl rosters, most tackles in the Pro Bowl, or left tackles, most came in the first round. If you’re getting one after that you’re being more lucky than good.”
Still, tackle is one of only several positions the Packers might select with their first-round pick, No. 23 overall.
They will need a starting left outside linebacker if they’re unable to re-sign Aaron Kampman this offseason, which is a real possibility because of the strong interest he’s likely to draw from teams that want him to return to defensive end in a 4-3 defense. This year’s draft is promising for outside linebackers who probably will get drafted from the middle of the first round through the second.
The Packers will be looking hard for cornerbacks, where both starters are well over 30 (Charles Woodson is 33 and Al Harris 35) and one, Harris, is still early in his recovery from knee reconstruction surgery. This draft’s depth at cornerback, though, is more in the second and third rounds than the first.
They’re also in the market for a starting safety, where Atari Bigby has been either unavailable or diminished because of injuries more often than not the past two seasons. This draft has a safety or two who might be available and warrant consideration at No. 23.
Running back can’t be ruled out either, considering starter Ryan Grant has leveled off into a capable starter who nonetheless lacks dynamic talent. It’s questionable, though, whether the Packers would find anyone different enough from Grant to warrant taking that high, assuming Clemson’s C.J. Spiller is off the board.
Following is a look at the likely first-round prospects at each of those positions based on an interview with a scout who did not want to be quoted directly:
LEFT TACKLES
♦ Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (6-5, 307): A junior who’s an elite pass blocker. His arms measured at an extremely long 36 inches, and despite that arm length he still did 38 bench-press reps of 225 pounds, which was second-most among offensive linemen at this year’s combine. Probably will be the first tackle off the board and possibly a top-five pick.
♦ Anthony Davis, Rutgers (6-5, 323): Might be the most talented tackle in this draft, and though he’s more raw than Okung could have the better long-term potential. Should be a top-10 pick based on his talent and value of the position.
♦ Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (6-5, 314): A typical well trained Iowa lineman who is recovered from a thyroid illness that sidelined him three games last season. Though there are concerns about his upside, the demand for left tackles makes it highly likely he’ll be gone in the first 15 to 20 picks and maybe even the top 10.
♦ Bruce Campbell, Maryland (6-6¼, 314): Physically gifted but raw, doesn’t play nearly as well as the tackles rated ahead of him, and some teams consider him a second-round prospect or worse based on game play. But he’s a specimen and fantastic test athlete, so there’s a decent chance some team in the top 20 will fall in love with his talent and draft him.
♦ Trent Williams, Oklahoma (6-5, 315): Played mostly right tackle until his senior year, when he moved to the left side. Is a smooth athlete with good strength and plays hard. Some scouts view him as more of a right tackle than as a left tackle, but he ran the 40 in a superb 4.88 seconds at the NFL scouting combine Saturday, and somebody probably will draft him for the left side in the top 20 picks.
♦ Charles Brown, USC (6-5, 303): A converted tight end who probably needs a year to add strength and seasoning before he’s ready to start at the offensive line’s most difficult position. Could go late in the first round and should be available when the Packers pick at No. 23.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
♦ Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (6-3, 266): One of the best pass rushers in this draft, had 12½ sacks in his first season as a starting defensive end last year. Doesn’t have elite talent but is a gifted, hard-working and mature player who should go in the top 10 to 15 picks as either a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.
♦ Brandon Graham, Michigan (6-1, 268): Though he’s short for the position, players such as Pittsburgh’s James Harrison (6-0) and LaMarr Woodley (6-2) have shown other qualities can compensate for height in a 3-4 outside linebacker. Is a better prospect than Woodley, another former Michigan player who was a second-round pick in 2007 and had 25 sacks the last two seasons combined. Should be among the top 15 to 20 picks.
♦ Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida (6-5, 270): Probably more physically talented than Morgan and Graham, and could go higher than one or both if a team is enamored of his potential. Played at two different junior colleges, which is a red flag for some teams, before his one season at South Florida. Had only 6½ sacks last season but is athletic enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 despite weighing in at 270 pounds. Probably won’t make it out of the top 20 selections.
♦ Sergio Kindle, Texas (6-3, 250): Could be as good a prospect as former Texas teammate Brian Orakpo, the No. 13 pick overall last year who had 11 sacks as a rookie with Washington. Had 16 sacks the last two seasons combined splitting time at defensive end and outside linebacker. Probably will be a middle- to late first-round pick, and could be available when the Packers select at No. 23.
♦ Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 252): Played defensive end but has the length and athletic ability of a 3-4 outside linebacker. Didn’t put up big sack numbers (12 in three seasons as a starter) and had knee-reconstruction surgery late in 2008, which left him at less than full strength most of 2009 and could bump him out of the first round on some teams’ boards, depending on his medical evaluation. Shows excellent pass-rush talent despite his middling sack numbers and could go in the final third of the first round.
♦ Jerry Hughes, TCU (6-1¾, 255): Played defensive end at TCU and is short for an outside linebacker, but had 26½ sacks the last two years combined. Hasn’t played much in coverage but was a high school running back who appears to have the athleticism to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. Some scouts think he lacks the explosiveness to be a first-rounder, but his sacks production might convince a team to take him late in the round.
♦ Everson Griffen, USC (6-3, 273): Was replaced in USC’s starting lineup in 2008 by the Packers’ Clay Matthews, then started all last season as a junior and had eight sacks. Has more talent than production but could be a late first-round pick if a team thinks he can cover well enough in a 3-4 scheme.
CORNERBACKS
♦ Joe Haden, Florida (5-11 3/8, 191): Three-year starter and junior entry who is the best cornerback prospect in this draft and almost surely a top-10 pick.
♦ Kyle Wilson, Boise State (5-10, 184): A good punt returner and cover man who has a good chance of going in the middle of the first round. Even if he’s available when the Packers select at No. 23 overall, he might not meet their minimum height guideline of 5-10½ to 5-11. The last time the Packers overlooked that minimum was with Ahmad Carroll, who was a bust as their first-round pick in 2004.
♦ Patrick Robinson, Florida State (5-11 1/8, 192): Has the size and speed of an NFL corner – he’s run the 40 in 4.41 seconds at Florida State and might better that at the combine Tuesday. Had seven interceptions in his career and can play both zone and man-to-man. Could go late in the first round, though if he does it will be based more on physical talent than his play in college.
♦ Donovan Warren, Michigan (6-0, 185): Junior entry who is the cousin of former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions defensive back Chuckie Miller. A three-year starter who has a solid size-speed (4.49 seconds in the 40) ratio for an NFL cornerback. Didn’t play as well as expected until last season, and probably is more of a second-round prospect, though playing a premium position could push him into the bottom of the first round.
♦ Jerome Murphy, South Florida (6-0 3/8, 191): Has good size and the overall athletic ability and the confidence of an NFL cornerback. Also a physical player who could go late in the first round if he runs well at the combine Tuesday, though he’s more likely a second-round prospect.
SAFETIES
♦ Eric Berry, Tennessee (5-11¼, 204): An impact player and likely top-five pick.
♦ Earl Thomas, Texas (5-10, 196): Played safety at Texas, though some scouts are looking at him as a cornerback. Probably will be a top-15 pick.
♦ Taylor Mays, USC (6-3, 231): A big man and big hitter who can run – it wouldn’t be a surprise if he broke 4.4 seconds in the 40 if he runs with the rest of the defensive backs Tuesday. Some scouts think he’s too much of a straight-line player and he has some limitations in coverage, but others think he covers well enough and would be good for a team that plays him closer to the line of scrimmage rather than as a deep safety. Main shortcoming was making game-changing plays – he had only five interceptions despite starting four years, including one interception as a senior.
♦ Nate Allen, South Florida (6-0 5/8, 205): More of a pure free safety who had 10 interceptions in three seasons as a starter. Has decent speed (just under 4.5 seconds in the 40) and is a complete player but might not have the explosiveness or playmaking ability to warrant a late first-round selection.
RUNNING BACKS
♦ C.J. Spiller, Clemson (5-10 7/8, 194): Explosive halfback and kickoff returner who almost surely will be a top-15 pick.
♦ Ryan Matthews (5-10¾, 223): A physical inside runner who averaged 6.3 yards a carry last season and scored 39 touchdowns in his career. Is a good fit for a one-cut zone-blocking system such as the Packers run. Lacks breakaway speed and probably will be selected in the latter half of the first round.
♦ Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (5-11½, 235): Averaged 6.4 yards a carry in his two seasons as a starter. Played in an option offense at Georgia Tech but projects well as a power runner in the NFL. Probably will be selected in the final third of the first round.
♦ Jahvid Best, Cal (5-9¾, 195): Small, dynamic runner who might break 4.4 seconds in the 40 at the combine Sunday. Averaged a remarkable 7.3 yards a carry and scored 27 touchdowns in his two seasons as a starter. However, his size and injury history – a hip injury that cost him three games in 2007, foot and elbow surgeries that sidelined him in the spring of ’09, a toe injury he played through last season, and sore back and concussion that sidelined him the final four games – make him a medical risk and probably will push him down to the second round.
BY PETE DOUGHERTY • pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com • February 27, 2010
Comments (4) Recommend Print this page E-mail this article Share
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Buzz up!Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A INDIANAPOLIS – It’s no secret the Green Bay Packers are looking for a left tackle in this year’s draft.
♦ Sign up for Green Bay Packers text alerts.
Chad Clifton, 33, who’s manned that position the last 10 years, is an unrestricted free agent, and his successor at that critical position is not on the Packers’ roster.
The Packers are trying to re-sign Clifton before he hits the open market March 5, but there’s no guarantee a deal will get done. Even if it does, Clifton’s declining play and precarious health leaves the Packers needing to draft a player who can fill in when his injuries hit this season and to replace him a year down the road.
Drafting that player probably will cost a high pick, because of the scarcity of players who can adequately protect a quarterback’s back side. This year’s draft happens to be reasonably deep at left tackle – there’s a decent chance six left tackles will go in the first round, though many scouts are convinced four could go in the first nine picks.
“I’d take’ em as soon as I could get’ em,” said Charley Casserly, the former general manager for Washington and Houston who is working the draft as an on-air analyst for the NFL Network. “History shows if you analyze the first round, if you analyze Pro Bowl rosters, most tackles in the Pro Bowl, or left tackles, most came in the first round. If you’re getting one after that you’re being more lucky than good.”
Still, tackle is one of only several positions the Packers might select with their first-round pick, No. 23 overall.
They will need a starting left outside linebacker if they’re unable to re-sign Aaron Kampman this offseason, which is a real possibility because of the strong interest he’s likely to draw from teams that want him to return to defensive end in a 4-3 defense. This year’s draft is promising for outside linebackers who probably will get drafted from the middle of the first round through the second.
The Packers will be looking hard for cornerbacks, where both starters are well over 30 (Charles Woodson is 33 and Al Harris 35) and one, Harris, is still early in his recovery from knee reconstruction surgery. This draft’s depth at cornerback, though, is more in the second and third rounds than the first.
They’re also in the market for a starting safety, where Atari Bigby has been either unavailable or diminished because of injuries more often than not the past two seasons. This draft has a safety or two who might be available and warrant consideration at No. 23.
Running back can’t be ruled out either, considering starter Ryan Grant has leveled off into a capable starter who nonetheless lacks dynamic talent. It’s questionable, though, whether the Packers would find anyone different enough from Grant to warrant taking that high, assuming Clemson’s C.J. Spiller is off the board.
Following is a look at the likely first-round prospects at each of those positions based on an interview with a scout who did not want to be quoted directly:
LEFT TACKLES
♦ Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (6-5, 307): A junior who’s an elite pass blocker. His arms measured at an extremely long 36 inches, and despite that arm length he still did 38 bench-press reps of 225 pounds, which was second-most among offensive linemen at this year’s combine. Probably will be the first tackle off the board and possibly a top-five pick.
♦ Anthony Davis, Rutgers (6-5, 323): Might be the most talented tackle in this draft, and though he’s more raw than Okung could have the better long-term potential. Should be a top-10 pick based on his talent and value of the position.
♦ Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (6-5, 314): A typical well trained Iowa lineman who is recovered from a thyroid illness that sidelined him three games last season. Though there are concerns about his upside, the demand for left tackles makes it highly likely he’ll be gone in the first 15 to 20 picks and maybe even the top 10.
♦ Bruce Campbell, Maryland (6-6¼, 314): Physically gifted but raw, doesn’t play nearly as well as the tackles rated ahead of him, and some teams consider him a second-round prospect or worse based on game play. But he’s a specimen and fantastic test athlete, so there’s a decent chance some team in the top 20 will fall in love with his talent and draft him.
♦ Trent Williams, Oklahoma (6-5, 315): Played mostly right tackle until his senior year, when he moved to the left side. Is a smooth athlete with good strength and plays hard. Some scouts view him as more of a right tackle than as a left tackle, but he ran the 40 in a superb 4.88 seconds at the NFL scouting combine Saturday, and somebody probably will draft him for the left side in the top 20 picks.
♦ Charles Brown, USC (6-5, 303): A converted tight end who probably needs a year to add strength and seasoning before he’s ready to start at the offensive line’s most difficult position. Could go late in the first round and should be available when the Packers pick at No. 23.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
♦ Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (6-3, 266): One of the best pass rushers in this draft, had 12½ sacks in his first season as a starting defensive end last year. Doesn’t have elite talent but is a gifted, hard-working and mature player who should go in the top 10 to 15 picks as either a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.
♦ Brandon Graham, Michigan (6-1, 268): Though he’s short for the position, players such as Pittsburgh’s James Harrison (6-0) and LaMarr Woodley (6-2) have shown other qualities can compensate for height in a 3-4 outside linebacker. Is a better prospect than Woodley, another former Michigan player who was a second-round pick in 2007 and had 25 sacks the last two seasons combined. Should be among the top 15 to 20 picks.
♦ Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida (6-5, 270): Probably more physically talented than Morgan and Graham, and could go higher than one or both if a team is enamored of his potential. Played at two different junior colleges, which is a red flag for some teams, before his one season at South Florida. Had only 6½ sacks last season but is athletic enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 despite weighing in at 270 pounds. Probably won’t make it out of the top 20 selections.
♦ Sergio Kindle, Texas (6-3, 250): Could be as good a prospect as former Texas teammate Brian Orakpo, the No. 13 pick overall last year who had 11 sacks as a rookie with Washington. Had 16 sacks the last two seasons combined splitting time at defensive end and outside linebacker. Probably will be a middle- to late first-round pick, and could be available when the Packers select at No. 23.
♦ Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 252): Played defensive end but has the length and athletic ability of a 3-4 outside linebacker. Didn’t put up big sack numbers (12 in three seasons as a starter) and had knee-reconstruction surgery late in 2008, which left him at less than full strength most of 2009 and could bump him out of the first round on some teams’ boards, depending on his medical evaluation. Shows excellent pass-rush talent despite his middling sack numbers and could go in the final third of the first round.
♦ Jerry Hughes, TCU (6-1¾, 255): Played defensive end at TCU and is short for an outside linebacker, but had 26½ sacks the last two years combined. Hasn’t played much in coverage but was a high school running back who appears to have the athleticism to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. Some scouts think he lacks the explosiveness to be a first-rounder, but his sacks production might convince a team to take him late in the round.
♦ Everson Griffen, USC (6-3, 273): Was replaced in USC’s starting lineup in 2008 by the Packers’ Clay Matthews, then started all last season as a junior and had eight sacks. Has more talent than production but could be a late first-round pick if a team thinks he can cover well enough in a 3-4 scheme.
CORNERBACKS
♦ Joe Haden, Florida (5-11 3/8, 191): Three-year starter and junior entry who is the best cornerback prospect in this draft and almost surely a top-10 pick.
♦ Kyle Wilson, Boise State (5-10, 184): A good punt returner and cover man who has a good chance of going in the middle of the first round. Even if he’s available when the Packers select at No. 23 overall, he might not meet their minimum height guideline of 5-10½ to 5-11. The last time the Packers overlooked that minimum was with Ahmad Carroll, who was a bust as their first-round pick in 2004.
♦ Patrick Robinson, Florida State (5-11 1/8, 192): Has the size and speed of an NFL corner – he’s run the 40 in 4.41 seconds at Florida State and might better that at the combine Tuesday. Had seven interceptions in his career and can play both zone and man-to-man. Could go late in the first round, though if he does it will be based more on physical talent than his play in college.
♦ Donovan Warren, Michigan (6-0, 185): Junior entry who is the cousin of former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions defensive back Chuckie Miller. A three-year starter who has a solid size-speed (4.49 seconds in the 40) ratio for an NFL cornerback. Didn’t play as well as expected until last season, and probably is more of a second-round prospect, though playing a premium position could push him into the bottom of the first round.
♦ Jerome Murphy, South Florida (6-0 3/8, 191): Has good size and the overall athletic ability and the confidence of an NFL cornerback. Also a physical player who could go late in the first round if he runs well at the combine Tuesday, though he’s more likely a second-round prospect.
SAFETIES
♦ Eric Berry, Tennessee (5-11¼, 204): An impact player and likely top-five pick.
♦ Earl Thomas, Texas (5-10, 196): Played safety at Texas, though some scouts are looking at him as a cornerback. Probably will be a top-15 pick.
♦ Taylor Mays, USC (6-3, 231): A big man and big hitter who can run – it wouldn’t be a surprise if he broke 4.4 seconds in the 40 if he runs with the rest of the defensive backs Tuesday. Some scouts think he’s too much of a straight-line player and he has some limitations in coverage, but others think he covers well enough and would be good for a team that plays him closer to the line of scrimmage rather than as a deep safety. Main shortcoming was making game-changing plays – he had only five interceptions despite starting four years, including one interception as a senior.
♦ Nate Allen, South Florida (6-0 5/8, 205): More of a pure free safety who had 10 interceptions in three seasons as a starter. Has decent speed (just under 4.5 seconds in the 40) and is a complete player but might not have the explosiveness or playmaking ability to warrant a late first-round selection.
RUNNING BACKS
♦ C.J. Spiller, Clemson (5-10 7/8, 194): Explosive halfback and kickoff returner who almost surely will be a top-15 pick.
♦ Ryan Matthews (5-10¾, 223): A physical inside runner who averaged 6.3 yards a carry last season and scored 39 touchdowns in his career. Is a good fit for a one-cut zone-blocking system such as the Packers run. Lacks breakaway speed and probably will be selected in the latter half of the first round.
♦ Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (5-11½, 235): Averaged 6.4 yards a carry in his two seasons as a starter. Played in an option offense at Georgia Tech but projects well as a power runner in the NFL. Probably will be selected in the final third of the first round.
♦ Jahvid Best, Cal (5-9¾, 195): Small, dynamic runner who might break 4.4 seconds in the 40 at the combine Sunday. Averaged a remarkable 7.3 yards a carry and scored 27 touchdowns in his two seasons as a starter. However, his size and injury history – a hip injury that cost him three games in 2007, foot and elbow surgeries that sidelined him in the spring of ’09, a toe injury he played through last season, and sore back and concussion that sidelined him the final four games – make him a medical risk and probably will push him down to the second round.