I really admire how the Green Bay Packers conduct their drafts. They figure out what they need, rank all of the players, and listen to their draft board like he was some holy document. It is why they are a good team, and why the can continue to compete year after year.
The biggest need on this team was O line help to better protect QB Aaron Rodgers. They secured that in OT Bryan Bulaga. He comes from the University of Iowa, a school with a reputation for producing quality NFL O lineman. This is a great pick, it really is that simple.
In the second round it seemed that the Packers would have liked to add an OLB prospect, but by this point in the draft the top five OLB prospects were already off the board. So they added DT Mike Neal. I think they will use him in their D line rotation as a brute or difference maker. The only concern on him is his conditioning and that can be fixed at training camp, if he is willing to put the work in.
In the third round the team moved up to take Safety Morgan Burnett. Their secondary is getting on in age, and Burnett is a ball hawk that should produce for years to come.
With two fifth round picks the Packers went after TE Andrew Quarless, and OT Marshall Newhouse. Quarless is a risky pick, but could develop into a very fine NFL TE. Newhouse on the other hand is a young prospect to develop into a one day starters as the Packers O line is getting pretty long in the tooth.
In the sixth round the Packers added RB James Starks. He will be a special team’s player as they evaluate how he is recovering from an injury, but he may fit in as a change of pace back, or legitimate backup.
With their last pick in this draft the Packers selected DE CJ Wilson. He is a development pick they hope will one day be an impact on the outside of their 3-4 defense.
Now a more complete look at the 2010 Packers draft class;
Round One (23)- OT Bryan Bulaga Iowa
Round Two (56)- DT Mike Neal Purdue
Round Three (71)- SS Morgan Burnett Georgia Tech
Round Five (154)- TE Andrew Quarless Penn State
Round Five (169)- OT Marshall Newhouse TCU
Round Six (193)- RB James Starks Buffalo
Round Seven (230)- DE CJ Wilson East Carolina
Related Links:
• Green Bay Packers news and notes
• 2010 NFL Draft initial team grades
• The Business of the NFL
• MTR Football.com
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