The odds are...

If you ever wanted to know what the odds are of the Packers taking a certain player with their #9 pick in this weekend's NFL Draft, here's the scoop.

Sports writer Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports in his SportsDay today column that, "According to bodoglife.com, the Packers are most likely to pick Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji...at even odds, followed by Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo (7-to-2 odds), Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin (4-1), Louisiana State defensive end Tyson Jackson (8-1) and Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers (10-1)."

Wolfley also notes that, as of yesterday, ESPN's Mel Kiper (that would be Mel Kiper, Jr. to be exact!) has the Pack taking Raji, while Todd McShay instead says Raji will go to Cleveland at No. 5. (Interesting...as many mock drafts have Cleveland taking WR Michael Crabtree). Who does McShay say the Packers will take? Alabama T Andre Smith.

You can read Wolfley's entire column here.

One of the other names that has appeared in several mock drafts as the Packers' pick is Louisiana State's DE Tyson Jackson. There is an excellent article by Journal-Sentinel Packers beat writer, Bob McGinn, about both Raji and Tyson as the sole standouts in this draft at defensive tackle and defensive end.

According to McGinn, "In an imperfect pool of players, Raji has the possibility of turning out like Warren Sapp if he goes to a team using a 4-3 defense or Vince Wilfork if he goes to a 3-4 team." And, "Many personnel people are of the opinion that Raji has more value than Jackson, who was described by Polian (Bill Polian, president of the Indianapolis Colts) as 'made to order' to play end in a 3-4."

Some good on-the-record comments in the article from various personnel folks from around the league...none from the Packers, of course...that would be a little too revealing. So if you want to read what some others have to say about two players -- one of which may wind up wearing the beloved Green 'n' Gold, check out the entire article here.