Talent remains on Day 2 of draft but it may not last until Packers' pick
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Ted Thompson was just minutes removed from selecting cornerback Damarious Randall and was already talking about what was left to accomplish in the upcoming rounds. That's the way general managers have to approach the three-day madness that is the NFL Draft.
It won't be easy for Thompson to rest too comfortably as he awaits the beginning of Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night. While the Packers already added talent to a position that was lacking depth after the free-agent departures of Tramon Williams and Davon House, the need for an inside linebacker -- or two -- remains. Green Bay could also use some help along its defensive line. And, as always, Thompson won't shy away from a player just because it's at a position that's perceived as a strength.
The Packers are scheduled to be on the clock again at No. 62 in the second round and then at No. 94 in the third round. Before Thompson's next pick, though, 29 more players will have come off the board.
So far, only one inside linebacker has been drafted: Clemson's Stephone Anthony went No. 31 to the New Orleans Saints. But this is a class that features a group of five or six inside linebackers who are all ranked similarly. It was going to be in the eye of the beholder when it came to preferring a certain player's strengths and overlooking their weaknesses.
If Thompson had a preferred inside linebacker, he missed his chance to take him in the first round. The fact that Green Bay went for a cornerback likely indicates Thompson didn't believe there was much of a difference between the top few inside linebackers. Why select Anthony or Eric Kendricks at No. 30 if he sees players like Paul Dawson, Benardrick McKinney or Denzel Perryman to be just as good and perhaps there for the taking at No. 62?
Just as Thompson did three times during the 2012 draft, this might be another year for the Packers to trade up. It'd be running quite the risk to wait nearly a full round with fingers crossed that Dawson, McKinney or Perryman is still available. There are a handful of inside linebackers with third-to-fourth-round grades, too, including Kansas' Ben Heeney, so Green Bay could choose to be patient and let the board fall as it may.
By trading up, the Packers could also put themselves in contention for some defensive linemen who were fringe first-round prospects that didn't get picked yet. If Green Bay can overlook character concerns, Nebraska edge rusher Randy Gregory is clearly a first-round talent. Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and UCLA defensive end Owa Odighizuwa would be great values early in the second round.
It would likely be overkill for the Packers to use back-to-back picks on cornerbacks, but Florida State's Ronald Darby, Utah's Eric Rowe and LSU's Jalen Collins are all still available.
If Green Bay is open to adding to its top-ranked offense, supremely talented but troubled wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has the potential to be a star. No tight ends were drafted in the first round, and Minnesota's Maxx Williams would make a great weapon for Aaron Rodgers.
With Mike Neal and Nick Perry likely each only getting one more year with the Packers, and Julius Peppers in his mid-30s, Green Bay would benefit from getting its hands on Virginia outside linebacker Eli Harold. He just turned 21 years old in January and has the athleticism to be a great NFL player one day.
There won't be a shortage of great players taken in the second round. The question for Thompson to try to figure out is, will any of them still be there if Green Bay sits back and waits to use the 62nd overall pick?
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