View area storm coverage and share your photos.

Packers: Draft grades from national experts

The Capital Times  —  4/29/2008 11:02 am

So, how do the national pundits grade Green Bay's draft selections? The median appears to be a B-minus.

Following is a quick look at what some of them are saying. Click on their names in bold for a link to their full analysis of the Packers as well as the rest of the league.

If you need a brush-up on the players selected by Green Bay, click here for a list that includes quick bio information and YouTube video clips when available.

Mel Kiper, ESPN, B-minus

"Second-round pick Jordy Nelson is a great athlete, and will be a faster version of former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark," Kiper wrote for ESPN Insider. Other divisional grades: Chicago B, Minnesota B, Detroit C-plus.

Larry Weisman, USA Today, B-minus

WR Jordy Nelson could be a steal though (the pick) a bit mystifying since the Packers aren't short of talent at this position. Stole DE Jeremy Thompson in fourth round. Other divisional grades: Chicago B, Minnesota B, Detroit C-minus

John Czarnecki, Foxsports.com, C-plus

Well, the Packers definitely believe that Brett Favre is retired, and they sent him a message just in case he was reconsidering his situation when they picked Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm with the 58th overall pick in a trade with the Browns. Other divisional grades: Chicago A, Detroit B, Minnesota B

Charles Robinson, Yahoo! sports, B

GM Ted Thompson once again used his first pick on a position that didn't seem to be a huge need (wideout), but it's hard to rip him for a methodology that has worked in the bigger picture. One negative: No tackles drafted until the fourth and fifth round. Other divisional grades: Minnesota B, Chicago C, Detroit D

Vic Carucci, NFL.com ... no letter grades awarded

"We'll see" category. Doesn't Aaron Rodgers have enough pressure on him as Brett Favre's replacement and with the potential that Favre might come back from retirement? Why invest another second-rounder in Louisville QB Brian Brohm, even if he was widely projected as a first-round pick? Other divisional grades: Minnesota (solid); Chicago and Detroit (we'll see)

Pete Prisco, cbssports.com, B-minus

Taking quarterback Brian Brohm in the second round will turn out to be a great pick. He will be the starter in a few years. Fourth-round pick Jeremy Thompson, a defensive end out of Wake Forest, can help liven up the pass rush. Other divisional grades: Chicago B-plus, Detroit B-plus, Minnesota B

Clifton Brown, The Sporting News, A-minus

Brian Brohm gives the Packers insurance at quarterback if Aaron Rodgers falters. Jordy Nelson is a deep-threat receiver who also returns kicks. They got great value for a team picking near the bottom. Other divisional grades: Vikings B-plus, Bears B-minus, Lions D.

Dr. Z, Sports Illustrated, no grade

Tell me, please, why two QB's? I mean, OK, Brian Brohm to make things interesting. But why Matt Flynn?

Charlie Casserly, CBSsports.com, no grade

When speaking with coaches and scouts, Patrick Lee was the most talked about CB with second-round value. TE Jermichael Finley is a good athlete with good hands but will need work as a blocker and is raw at running routes. The Packers improved their depth and have some good players to develop for the future.

Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News, B

The Packers traded out of the first round and then turned in the best second round of the draft. Brohm gives them insurance for Aaron Rodgers, Lee gives them another big corner, and Nelson is a big-body, big-play receiver. Other divisional grades: Detroit A, Chicago A, Minnesota C

Megan Manfull, Houston Chronicle, B

The combination of Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn should provide some interesting competition in training camp. Other divisional grades: Chicago B-plus, Detroit C-plus, Vikings D-plus

The Capital Times  —  4/29/2008 11:02 am