Coming into the 2011 NFL Draft, no one knew for sure where Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers would go to address their few needs as reigning Super Bowl Champions.
Now we know.
Let’s breakdown all ten of the Packers’ draft picks.
By: Nick Grays
Round One
#32 (32nd overall) Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
The Packers did what every team should do with their first draft pick and fulfilled a primary need. Sherrod gives Green Bay a lot of length at the tackle position where he could end up on the right or left side. His most likely destination is to replace Chad Clifton at left tackle, but could also play on the right side if last year’s #1 draft pick Bryan Bulaga switches at some point. Green Bay should be happy to have two young and talented offensive lineman to protect Aaron Rodgers for years to come.
Round Two
#32 (64th overall) Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
The reason Green Bay went after Cobb is because of his ability to return kicks. A lot of scouts had the versatile receiver as the best return man in the entire 2011 draft. No longer does Tramon Williams have to return kicks.
Cobb also brings an all-around receiver game very similar to a younger version of the aging Donald Driver.
Round Three
#32 (96th overall) Alexander Green, RB, Hawaii
Obviously the Packers are somewhat cautious about the health of Ryan Grant and the development of playoff-sensation James Starks. Green excels in short passing plays where he shows great lateral movement. However, he does come from a spread offense and could be of Brandon Jackson (free agent) caliber.
Round Four
#34 (131st overall) Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
Corner-back is not a pressing need for the Packers, but they do need to start thinking about replacing Charles Woodson down the road. House will get a chance to develop with Sam Shields who looked great in Dom Capers system last year.
Round Five
#10 (141st overall) D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
We all know how much everyone in the organization loves Jermichael Finley, but we also know that the Packers utilize multiple tight-ends all the time. Williams is not the best blocker, but he has a knack for catching the ball.
Round Six
#14 (179th overall) Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
Once again, the Packers sought out value late in the draft to protect their elite QB.
#21 (186th overall) D.J. Smith, OLB, Appalachian State
The biggest surprise of the draft was how the Packers failed to go after a legitimate outside linebacker considering it was one of their primary needs. I don’t know a lot about Smith, but he doesn’t look to be a starter. Looks to be a special teams kind of player.
#32 (197th overall) Rick Elmore, DE, Arizona
Projects to be another candidate for the OLB position because he’s undersized at 255 lbs to be a real threat at defensive end.
Round Seven
#15 (218th overall) Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
Another player expected to join special teams, Taylor doesn’t have a lot of experience at tight end. He previously played as a linebacker.
#30 (233rd overall) Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State
Guy is not undersized at 305 lbs and will compete for a spot on the defensive line at DE.
What did you think of the Green Bay Packers 2011 Draft? Will Sherrod, Cobb and Green make instant impacts? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior editor at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.