With a potential lockout looming, Packer Nation may have to wait a little bit longer to see if Ted Thompson did it again.
Make the Super Bowl XLV Champions even better.
Thompson is known around the league for building the Packers through the draft, which ultimately helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl since 1997.
After a couple of trademark trade-downs (pun intended), the Pack drafted 10 players to strengthen its team on offense and defense and enhance an already deep and talented roster.
Yet, the uncertainty surrounding the NFL and the lockout leaves many questions unanswered about which rookies will be able to considerably contribute, especially with an extremely limited offseason. I will gauge which rookies are the most likely to have an impact on the Packers' season (given there is one).
Derek Sherrod OL, Mississippi State: Sherrod is a safe pick for the Packers who drafted another offensive lineman for the future with last year's first round selection--Bryan Bulaga. Sherrod will most likely play at right or left tackle, but provides the Packers with some versatility on an aging offensive line. Sherrod and Bulaga could bookend the offensive line protecting Aaron Rodgers for many years.
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky: Cobb may be one of the most explosive and exciting players in the draft in the Percy Harvin mold. Cobb broke Harvin's record for All-Purpose yards in the SEC, which is quite an accomplishment considering the depth and talent in that conference. Cobb can be a kick returner, punt returner, wide receiver, and even give the Packers an exciting option in a Wildcat formation as he is a converted quarterback. Cobb's ability to contribute at wide receiver may greatly depend on the amount of practice time the Packers will have before the season, but he will certainly add some explosiveness to the Packers' special teams and could be one of the Packers' top contributors in 2011.
Alex Green, RB, Hawaii: Green was a luxury pick for the Packers as they try to add some depth to their backfield of Ryan Grant and the emergent James Starks. Green is a big back that can provide a change of pace to Starks' elusiveness, and he can also be used as a pass target out of the backfield. However, Green will still be third on the depth chart and may not see as much playing time as some of the other rookies.
Davon House, CB, New Mexico State: House has the potential to be another playmaker and ball-hawk in the Packers secondary. With an already loaded secondary including Pro Bowlers Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson, and Nick Collins, along with the playmaking ability of nickel corner Sam Shields, House adds depth to the secondary. Dom Capers loves to drop extra defenders into coverage, which led to Shields' extended contributions in his rookie year as the Packers' nickel corner. House certainly has the potential to make some plays and be a key contributor as an extra corner in the secondary.
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas: The Packers stuck to their motto of drafting the best player available and may have landed a gem in Williams. Williams is athletic and versatile and was the John Mackey award winner for the best tight end in the nation last year. With Jermichael Finley coming back from injury, the Packers could use Williams and Finley in two tight end formations, creating matchup nightmares for two athletic tight ends. Williams also adds depth to the position with second-year man Andrew Quarless contributing last year after Finley's injury.
Caleb Schlauderaff, OL, Utah: Schlauderaff provides some more depth at the offensive line and has decent size at 6'4", 305 lbs., but he will certainly be limited in his contributions in his rookie year with the offensive line depth and the selection of Sherrod in the first round.
D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian St.: Smith had a phenomenal career statistics-wise at Appalachian St., with 525 tackles over his career. However, barring injury to starters, Smith will probably only contribute as a special teams guy, given the depth and talent in the Packers linebacking corps.
Ricky Elmore, LB, Arizona: Despite higher sack and tackle for loss totals than teammate Brooks Reed, Elmore went four rounds later than his more heavily-touted teammate, largely due to his slower times at the combine. Elmore was a defensive end at Arizona, but will move to outside linebacker in the 3-4 and once again, add more depth to a talented group of linebackers.
Ryan Taylor, TE, UNC: This was sort of a questionable pick, since the Packers had just selected TE D.J. Williams. Taylor played the H-Back position with the Tar Heels but only just recently started catching passes. He will probably play a very limited role with the Packers.
Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona St.: With their last pick in the draft, the Packers may have found a "guy" that could see extended playing time this year as a rookie. With the likely departure of Cullen Jenkins and the unknown future of Johnny Jolly, Guy will most likely play defensive end in Capers' 3-4 system.
Questions or comments? Follow me on Twitter: @SethWisner.
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