The Post-32 Packers

jonesy9872 | 4/24/2007 10:10 pm | Practice Squad

A.J. Hawk is a beast. He led the team in tackles, was instinctively in on every play and will only get better next year. Even though DeMeco Ryans won the Rookie of the Year honor, no one would argue that Hawk wasn't worth the Packers' first-round choice or the $20.4 million left on his contract.
That said, the Packers would be drafting much higher than 16 if not for their 2nd through 7th round picks. Provided he stays healthy, WR Greg Jennings will be a formidable sidekick to Donald Driver. More importantly, GM Ted Thompson wheeled and dealed until he could set the starting interior offensive line of the future. It wasn't flashy, but it was effective enough to improve to .500 and convince Brett Favre to stick around for another year (or two, or three, or four).

And come Saturday, the Pack looks even better in terms of draft picks than last year. They have three 7th rounders, who might turn out to be only suitable for NFL Europa, but they could also be Marques Colston. So as we all salivate over Cal RB Marshawn Lynch or Miami TE Greg Olsen, here are some unheralded guys who'll be around in the later rounds and worth a look:
1) TE Zach Miller (Arizona State) - Obviously he isn't a good pick if GB takes Olsen at 16, but Miller would be a great tall threat for Favre in the red zone. One of the Packers' biggest problems was that they didn't have the tall guy to throw it up in the end zone (remember Buffalo?). Miller, although not a polished blocker or a speedster (4.89s 40), his 6-5 height would help when Driver and Jennings are covered.

2) S Eric Weddle (Utah) - If you read his report, he sounds like a Ted Thompson guy. "Not overly athletic, but a high motor and smart enough to play either safety or corner." Weddle is quick (4.48s 40) and could make an instant impact of special teams even if he doesn't start (a la Abdul Hodge). But with Marquand Manuel and Nick Collins, provided Weddle knows how to tie his shoes, he should be able to unseat either.

3) RB Brandon Jackson (Nebraska) - Like Miller, this depends on if Thompson decides to go with a RB (probably Lynch) at #16. Jackson has a lot of question marks, especially his lack of experience, since he only started one full season, and his subpar speed. But in a zone blocking scheme, the perception is that you could take my fat ass and churn out 1000 yards in 16 dames. Okay, probably not even I could do that, but you get the point.

4) QB Troy Smith (Ohio State) - Yes, Brett Favre (like Keith Richards and Dick Cheney) is going to outlive us all and will still be calling the shots under center. And yes, Smith is a 6'0 (if you're generous) and panicked in the BCS championship like he was caught on camera by Chris Hansen. But if you're willing to give it a couple of years, Smith might prove everyone wrong. He's mobile (an underrated Favre quality which a QB needs in McCarthy's system), accurate, intelligent with the ball and was the most respected guy on the team. If you give him a couple of years to learn, he could be something special, and not just another Heisman winner-turned-NFL bust.

5) OT Doug Free (Northern illinois) - Although Thompson drafted three guys last year and theylooked decent as rookies, tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher aren't locks to be 100% for all of 2007-8. And as they're both entering their 9th seasons, perhaps it'd be wise to find someone around the 4th round. Free is an ideal zone blocker--quick, excellent balance, and can block at the second level in space. He won't supplant Clifton or Tauscher right away, but he'd be good in a pinch should they go down and will look even better for the future.

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