The Green Bay Packers concluded the 2010 NFL Draft by addressing a couple major needs. Thompson also stuck to his "pick the best player available strategy." The Packers seemed to luck out in the first round when tackle Bryan Bulaga from Iowa fell to them at #23. Bulaga was tabbed as a possible top 10 pick, yet slipped all the way down to Green Bay. Bulaga will be able to play the guard or tackle position, but he will most likely be the heir apparent to Chad Clifton at left tackle. The Packers war room sure breathed a sigh of relief to see Bulaga drop that far after the struggles with the offensive line problems last season.
In the second round, the Packers seemed to reach a little by drafting Mike Neal from Purdue. Neal will join the likes of Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, and B.J. Raji on the defensive line. Neal certainly didn't put up eye-opening stats in his collegiate career, but he will give some more depth to the defensive line and hopefully put on more muscle to attract some double teams, while allowing linebackers Clay Matthews and Brad Jones to rush the passer.
The Packers next best pick after Bulaga may have been the decision of Thompson to trade up with the Eagles to draft safety Morgan Burnett out of Georgia Tech. Burnett is young (20) and very athletic with the prototype body of a strong safety. Burnett could easily challenge Atari Bigby for the starting strong safety spot alongside Nick Collins.
The Packers remaining picks were offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse, running back James Starks, tight end Andrew Quarless, and another defensive tackle C.J. Wilson. I'm not quite sure about Thompson's thinking in drafting another defensive linemen but I like the Newhouse and Starks picks. Newhouse will give the line more depth and Starks could replace Brandon Jackson as Ryan Grant's backup. Hopefully, Thompson found some hidden talent deep in this draft as well as a reliable starting offensive tackle for years to come with the selection of Bulaga.
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