Draft musings

We're a little more than a week away from the NFL Draft, so it's time to start taking a look at who the Packers might pick, especially in the first round...assuming GM Ted Thompson doesn't decide to trade up or, more likely, trade down.

Mock drafts abound across the Internet, so you can do your own research when you have too much time on your hands...like yours truly. Kidding. And our own poll here at PackerFansUnited.com (open until the start of the draft in the right hand column...vote now!) has the majority of folks saying the Pack will pick a cornerback with their first pick. That seems to be the overall consensus of the mock drafts, as well. Still, there are some folks who have the Packers looking for a tight end with that pick...might not be a bad idea since the Packers roster is a bit thin there right now.

So...who ya got?

Well, a brief scan of the mock drafts reveals such possibilities as: CB Aqib Talib from Kansas (although several mock drafts show him going much higher than the Pack's #30); TE Dustin Keller from Purdue (who also shows up in one mock draft as the Packers first pick in the second round); CB Brandon Flowers from VA Tech; T Chris Williams of Vanderbilt; CB Tracy Porter of Indiana. Second round picks include Keller (noted earlier), OG Roy Schuening from Oregon State, OLB Erin Henderson of Maryland, OT Duane Brown of Virginia Tech, DT Pat Sims of Auburn...well, so it goes...

One interesting name that pops up occasionally and would seem to be a dark horse of sorts given the Packers' more immediate needs is that of QB Brian Brohm of Louisville. His stock seems to place him late first round or early second round, as he is essentially a pocket passer with good but not great arm strength. He is very accurate, however, which in the Packers scheme might be a fit...that doesn't sound quite right, but you know what I mean (an accurate passer is a good fit in any scheme). While we aren't looking for a starter, we are looking for a capable back up to Aaron Rodgers (honestly, are there any fans yet who aren't placing bets on how long Rodgers lasts before getting hurt?). Given the dearth of veteran backups now available, it is not out of the question that the Packers would use one of their picks within the first three rounds to grab a QB. Another name in that regard that has been mentioned is John David Booty of USC, who shares some of the same characteristics of Brohm, but whose size drops him down the rankings. Still, he is well-suited, according to scouting reports, for the West Coast offense and his intangibles would make him a good candidate in the second or third rounds...right about where the Pack might look to bolster a very young and inexperienced QB corps.

Stay tuned, Packer fans...no doubt there will be more speculation to come in the days ahead.