NFL Draft Review: Day One
I should start off by saying that making predictions about who is or isn't an impact draft pick the day after the draft is a losing proposition. How can anyone possibly know how these guys will play out in the NFL? Nevertheless, the NFL draft has become an event in and of itself, essentially marking the beginning of a new NFL season. Before I give my thoughts about the Packers' 2007 draft class, I should take a moment to say last year, I was not enthused about their draft picks. Fast-forward one year later, and they've got themselves two very good linebackers (A.J. Hawk, Abdul Hodge), put two key pieces on the offensive line in place (Justin Coston, Daryn Colledge), and found a good wide receiver in the second round (Greg Jennings). So take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
Round 1 - Justin Harrell, Tennessee (DT)
Run defense has been a problem for this team, but I'm not sure we didn't have more pressing needs. This team really could use impact players at RB and WR, but instead they elected to get a big body for the defense. Admittedly, their defense was in the bottom 10 last year, so maybe this is the unsexy, smart pick. From what I've read, this guy doesn't offer much of a pass-rush, so he's going to be in there mostly to take up space and slow down the other team's running game. With Adrian Peterson going to the Vikings, maybe they thought they needed to upgrade their run defense to combat him and Kevin Jones in the division (Cedric Benson doesn't scare anybody). I suppose they addressed a position of need, just maybe not the one I would have addressed first.
Round 2 - Brandon Jackson, Nebraska (RB)
I know my brother was hoping for a RB here, but he wanted Michael Bush. Strangely, after three rounds, Bush is still on the board, but it could be his injury history that's scaring teams away. I guess this is another need-addressing pick, but this guy's only 5'9'', 210. I'm worried that he may be too small to use in short-yardage situations, and it doesn't sound like he has the Maurice Drew/Tiki Barber/Tatum Bell type breakaway speed to make up for it in the open field. Maybe they only want to use him in 3rd down or passing situations, but it seems to me a guy that small is also going to be a liability blocking in the backfield.
Round 3 - James Jones, San Jose State (WR)
Again, I know we needed a wide receiver, but who is this guy? Everything I've read makes it sound like he's a possession receiver, good for going across the middle and fighting for jump balls, but isn't going to stretch the field or do much after the catch. I guess we could use that, and their wide receiver plans probably went awry went Dwayne Jarrett was drafted a few picks ahead of them in the second round, but why not move up to get a proven big-game winner? Maybe in the salary cap age, quantity is worth more than quality. Then again, they surprised last year with Jennings who also didn't go to a traditional football powerhouse (Western Michigan).
Round 3 - Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech (S)
Well, we could definitely use a safety to pair with Nick Collins, but from what I've read, this guy's not much more than a converted outside linebacker. That means he's a stud in run support, and possibly a liability in coverage against slot receivers or tight ends up the seams. My best hope for this guy is that he punishes the other teams receivers enough with his hits to make up for his deficiencies in coverage.
Round 1 - Justin Harrell, Tennessee (DT)
Run defense has been a problem for this team, but I'm not sure we didn't have more pressing needs. This team really could use impact players at RB and WR, but instead they elected to get a big body for the defense. Admittedly, their defense was in the bottom 10 last year, so maybe this is the unsexy, smart pick. From what I've read, this guy doesn't offer much of a pass-rush, so he's going to be in there mostly to take up space and slow down the other team's running game. With Adrian Peterson going to the Vikings, maybe they thought they needed to upgrade their run defense to combat him and Kevin Jones in the division (Cedric Benson doesn't scare anybody). I suppose they addressed a position of need, just maybe not the one I would have addressed first.
Round 2 - Brandon Jackson, Nebraska (RB)
I know my brother was hoping for a RB here, but he wanted Michael Bush. Strangely, after three rounds, Bush is still on the board, but it could be his injury history that's scaring teams away. I guess this is another need-addressing pick, but this guy's only 5'9'', 210. I'm worried that he may be too small to use in short-yardage situations, and it doesn't sound like he has the Maurice Drew/Tiki Barber/Tatum Bell type breakaway speed to make up for it in the open field. Maybe they only want to use him in 3rd down or passing situations, but it seems to me a guy that small is also going to be a liability blocking in the backfield.
Round 3 - James Jones, San Jose State (WR)
Again, I know we needed a wide receiver, but who is this guy? Everything I've read makes it sound like he's a possession receiver, good for going across the middle and fighting for jump balls, but isn't going to stretch the field or do much after the catch. I guess we could use that, and their wide receiver plans probably went awry went Dwayne Jarrett was drafted a few picks ahead of them in the second round, but why not move up to get a proven big-game winner? Maybe in the salary cap age, quantity is worth more than quality. Then again, they surprised last year with Jennings who also didn't go to a traditional football powerhouse (Western Michigan).
Round 3 - Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech (S)
Well, we could definitely use a safety to pair with Nick Collins, but from what I've read, this guy's not much more than a converted outside linebacker. That means he's a stud in run support, and possibly a liability in coverage against slot receivers or tight ends up the seams. My best hope for this guy is that he punishes the other teams receivers enough with his hits to make up for his deficiencies in coverage.
Labels: draft, green bay packers, pro football
This entry was posted by VJ, on
Sunday, April 29, 2007.
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