First Round
Pick: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix/Alabama/S
Grade: A
Anyone that has listened to any bit of analysis about Green Bay knows that they desperately needed a safety. They were the only team in the NFL last year who did not get an interception from a safety. The Pack did not even try to bring back safety M.D. Jennings during free agency, so they needed someone to play alongside Morgan Burnett. For Ha Ha to still be there at pick 21 was a surprise, and it made the selection that much easier for Green Bay. I expect Burnett's production to increase while playing with a better player next to him this year. Clinton-Dix is an instinctive safety, a great tackler (something Green Bay really needs in the back four), covers a lot of ground, and can help in run defense as well.
Second Round
Pick: Davante Adams/Fresno State/WR
Grade: A-
The Packers lost their #3 wide-out James Jones in free agency to the Raiders. Jarrett Boykin could step up and be the replacement, but it's no sure thing. And clearly Ted Thompson isn't convinced either; he drafted three wide receivers this year. The first of them was Fresno St. receiver Davante Adams. He doesn't have blazing speed (4.56 40) but from what I hear he catches everything. He had 131 catches for 1,718 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. He's about 6'1" 212 pounds and is a physical receiver. He benefited from a high powered offense led by Derek Carr, and it's only gonna get better for Adams now that Aaron Rodgers is his QB.
Third Round
Picks: Khyri Thornton/Southern Miss/DT Richard Rodgers/California/TE
Grade: B-
B.J. Raji struggled in 2013 and Johnny Jolly had injury issues. Thornton is a versatile guy and has pretty good speed for a 6'3" 305 pound defensive tackle. He moves well on the field, but has trouble breaking through blocks sometimes, and wears down towards the end of games. He should work well moving in and out with Raji and Jolly. He doesn't have very much sack production, but he should be a good run stopper for the Pack. He was a reach in the third round, but I've learned to trust Ted Thompson's drafting.
It appears that Green Bay is not going to re-sign TE Jermichael Finley due to his neck injury. Finley insists he's fine but he didn't pass a physical when visiting Seattle during free agency. Finley is an absolute freak of an athlete if you ask me, and is tough to replace. However, Andrew Quarless played well last year in Finley's absence. The other back-up tight ends are questionable though, hence the Pack drafting Richard Rodgers. Rodgers is 6'4" and narrowed himself down to 257 pounds to become more agile. He has good hands and is a good blocker, but needs to work on his route running and isn't very fast. Another reach for the third round, but Green Bay seems to like him.
Fourth Round
Pick: Carl Bradford/Arizona State/OLB
Grade: B+
Bradford is a speedy guy who can get to the quarterback, but he can also drop back into coverage. He's an explosive tackler who beelines to the ball all over the field. He recorded 61 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 batted passes, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception last year for ASU. I like him because scouts believe he can fit as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense as well as an outside linebacker. Many analysts thought Green Bay should have drafted an inside linebacker, but they might have gotten one anyway in Bradford. I can see Dom Capers moving Bradford around a lot, trying to confuse offenses. I definitely think he will be an asset for Green Bay's defense this year.
Fifth Round
Picks: Corey Linsley/Ohio State/C Jared Abbrederis/Wisconsin/WR
Grade: B-
Linsley has a strong base, but was one of the lightest offensive linemen at the combine. He's a tough guy that will play hurt and has excellent strength. He has good leadership qualities and moves well in the run game. However, he lacks the ability to recover when he gets beat and is slow to cut off linebackers. He will compete for the starting center job, but will most likely not be the opening week starter.
Abbrederis is a home state favorite and I love that Green Bay drafted him. He's a blue collar guy who works incredibly hard (he was a former walk-on) and transformed himself into the Badgers' #1 receiver. He totaled 78 catches for 1,081 yards and 7 touchdowns as well as 2 rushing touchdowns. He works in special teams as well as a punt and kick returner. He uses his hands well to separate himself from defenders and is incredibly intelligent on the field. Abbrederis could use a little more size and muscle (195 pounds) but he could work nicely for Aaron Rodgers as a slot receiver.
Sixth Round
Pick: Demetri Goodson/Baylor/CB
Grade: C+
Goodson has excellent size and good hand-eye coordination. He has good jumping ability (37 inch vertical) and can break on throws. However, he has short arms and small hands, and is injury prone. Durability will be a big concern for Green Bay as Goodson competes to play behind Sam Shields and Tramon Williams. Goodson had 3 picks and 13 break-ups last season but only had 26 tackles. Tackling has been a problem for Green Bay's secondary in recent years, so he'll need to work on that in order for him to see serious playing time this year.
Seventh Round
Pick: Jeff Janis/Saginaw Valley State/WR
Grade: B
Janis played D II and tore up the lesser competition. He totaled 83 catches for 1,572 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013. He has great leaping ability (37.5 inch vertical) and accelerates well into his routes. He can separate from defenders vertically and could be a great red zone threat for Green Bay. He has small, inconsistent hands and isn't the greatest route runner. He's not great after the catch, but I think the Packers will mostly use him down on the goal line in his rookie year. They will try to take advantage of his 6'3" frame and his great vertical ability.
Overall Grade: B+
I think Green Bay greatly improved their defense, especially with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Carl Bradford. Khyri Thompson and Demetri Goodson have some improvements to make. Linsley will compete for the center job and the four offensive weapons should all contribute to a better offense. Rodgers and Janis will improve the less than stellar red zone play from last year, and Adams and Abbrederis should prove to be good pass catchers in a five wide receiver set. Adams has the best chance to become the #3 receiver behind Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Ted Thompson was hinting before the draft that he wanted to get back to drafting quarterbacks regularly to groom behind Aaron Rodgers, but I guess he's content after re-signing Matt Flynn. There are three QBs on the roster in Rodgers, Flynn and Scott Tolzien who started a couple games in Rodgers absence last season. As long as Rodgers stays healthy this season, Green Bay will be fine in that area. Overall, a great draft again from Ted Thompson and the Packers.
Sources: NFL.com Draft Profiles and my astute football knowledge
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