By the time the Packers are up to select at No. 28 in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, it's difficult to predict which 27 players will no longer be available.
That's why nearly every mock draft across the country has a different opinion of who will be the latest college prospect to wear the green and gold in Green Bay.
The general consensus is, barring a top-20 talent taking an unexpected fall down the draft board, that the Packers will be drafting a defensive player. But it's a question of which defensive player that has many draft analysts in disagreement.
Here's a look at what 16 national mock drafts are predicting for the Packers in Round 1:
Fox Sports' Taylor Jones -- Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC: "Green Bay could address its offensive line here, but the signing of Jeff Saturday buys them some time. Perry could replace Cullen Jenkins as a 5 technique or even play outside opposite Clay Matthews as a rush specialist."
Fox Sports' Peter Schrager -- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: "With the news of Chad Clifton's release, the offensive tackle spot becomes an area worth watching in Green Bay. As much as we've heard about the Packers needing to find a complementary pass rusher to Clay Matthews on the outside, I can't see them passing on Martin if he slips all the way to 28th. A cerebral guy (Stanford-educated; his parents both went to Harvard), Martin's got the NFL frame and good footwork. He needs to hit the weight room. Solid pickup this late in the first round."
NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State: "The Packers' turnover differential was amazing last year, but they've got to get better at the snap on defense. Clay Matthews is wonderful on one side, but he only had six sacks in 2011 because no one was on the other side. McClellin is No. 14 on my board and he will instantly upgrade the Packers' defense."
NFL Network's Michael Lombardi -- Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois: "The Packers need an outside rusher to complement Clay Matthews."
NFL Network's Charley Casserly -- Harrison Smith, FS, Notre Dame: "Without a top-tier pass rusher or premier cover corner available, Green Bay opts for this draft's second-best safety."
NFL Network's Charles Davis -- Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse: "A leg injury kept him on the sidelines for the early part of the 2011 season, but he finished strong and is being mentioned for a number of teams now. His brother Arthur plays for Baltimore, but Green Bay spoils a potential family reunion at the 29th pick. Wild-card thought here: The Pack could snag up an RB, perhaps Virginia Tech's David Wilson or Boise State's Doug Martin."
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. -- Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State: "The Packers' pass rush became a disaster by the end of the season, and I'd be shocked if they don't target someone here who can help fix that problem. McClellin has the length and skills to be a great fit in the Green Bay system, and his experience should have him ready to contribute early. That's important, because the Packers are good now, and don't want a developmental guy here. They need a contributor.
ESPN's Todd McShay -- Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
Sports Illustrated's Don Banks -- Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State: "The Packers seem intent on finding a player who can carry his share of the pass rush load, making sure linebacker Clay Matthews isn't the only 3-4 outside edge rusher in the lineup. McClellin carries a top-half-of-the-round grade in the eyes of some NFL scouts."
Sports Illustrated's Peter King -- Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State: "(Should pick: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State). Worthy would be the long-term replacement for Cullen Jenkins, though I could see G.M. Ted Thompson going for a big-potential outside threat like Nick Perry or Shea McClellin as a bookend pass rusher for Clay Matthews. Martin is the kind of versatile cold-weather back who would fit the Pack perfectly. "He's this draft's Ray Rice," one personnel man told me."
Sporting News' Russ Lande -- Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC: "Their pass rush was inconsistent in 2011 so getting an outside linebacker to rush opposite Clay Matthews is a great choice."
CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan -- Jerel Worthy, DE/DT, Michigan State: "The Packers never replaced Cullen Jenkins in my opinion. Worthy is a good athlete for his size and is very explosive. Ryan Pickett isn't getting any younger and will need to be replaced at some point. Worthy has inside pass rush skills."
Pro Football Talk's Evan Silva -- Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama: "Clay Matthews uses speed; Upshaw rushes with power."
Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki – Ronnell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma: "A strong, physical, edge-setter is sorely needed opposite Clay Matthews. Similar to Matthews, who was a late-blooming first-round pick, Lewis possesses unique pass rush potential and press strength to garner late first-round interest from teams employing 3-4 fronts."
National Football Post's Wes Bunting -- Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State: "He's got the ability to play both inside and out for the Packers and brings the kind of motor, intensity and relentless as a pass rusher they are looking for."
Yahoo Sports' Mike Tanier – Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse: "The Packers do not need an edge rusher to start opposite Clay Matthews: They are great at finding those guys in late rounds or on other teams' practice squads. What they need is a defensive lineman who can hold the point of attack against the run in a 2-4-5 formation and can beat his blocker while staying in his pass rush lane. That is Jones: a guy who beats blockers and gums up interior lanes. He can provide the Packers with 10 extra sacks: five of his own, and five he helped create for Matthews."
Tallying up the votes of who they think the Packers will draft:
Shea McClellin - 4
Chandler Jones - 2
Jerel Worthy - 2
Whitney Mercilus - 2
Nick Perry - 2
Ronnell Lewis - 1
Courtney Upshaw - 1
Harrison Smith - 1
Jonathan Martin - 1
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