A Scout’s Take on the First Three Picks by the Packers in the 2016 NFL Draft

Kenny Clark of UCLA

So far in the 2016 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers have gotten excellent value. At least according to NFL scout Chris Landry.

In the first round of the draft on Thursday night, the Packers selected defensive tackle Kenny Clark of UCLA. Ted Thompson and company had many players to select from at pick No. 27, as several other top notch players were also available.

This would include linebacker Myles Jack of UCLA, linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama, defensive tackle Jarran Reed of Alabama, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson of Alabama and defensive tackle Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech.

But the Packers opted for Clark. Thompson explained his reasoning when he talked with the media after the first round on Thursday night.

“The hand use, the leverage, he’s very natural at that,” Thompson said, speaking of Clark. “He’s got a really strong base. He’s not easily moved. He’s a 5-flat 40 guy at 315 pounds. He had a marvelous workout at Indianapolis and at Los Angeles at school. I know all the teams do exactly the same thing after this first day, but we feel good that we were able to do what we did today.

“… I think there’s been a lot said about his pass rushing. There wasn’t a lot of numbers there until this past year. But I think this past year he showed that he’s got that kind of ability and quickness. Always been a good run player.”

Landry had the 6-feet-2 5/8, 314-pound Clark rated 29th on his horizontal draft board. This is what Landry said about Clark in his scouting report:

Thick build with long arms, Clark has outstanding overall strength and power. He flashes dominant ability versus one-on-one blockers. He is very instinctive. Clark is quick to shed blockers. He provides excellent play versus the run. He is a very good bull rusher and has some secondary moves. Clark is a top competitor and was a co- captain as a junior. He still manages to make plays even though he is consistently double-teamed.

In his career at UCLA, Clark had 164 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

In the second round, the Packers traded up and selected offensive tackle Jason Spriggs of Indiana with pick No. 48. Landry had Spriggs ranked 32nd of his horizontal draft board, just one spot behind Taylor Decker of Ohio State.

Spriggs was a four-year starter at Indiana and he started 47 times in 48 games at left tackle for the Hoosiers.

Jason Spriggs of Indiana

The 6-foot-51/2, 305-pound Spriggs impressed Landry at the Senior Bowl. Landry put out this report on Spriggs after his impressive week in Mobile, Alabama:

OT Jason Spriggs of Indiana, consistently stood out as one of the most effective pass protectors at the Senior Bowl. The former tight end is big and strong, yet agile and light-footed enough to seal off the edge on opposing pass rushers.

In the third round, the Packers selected outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell of Utah State with pick No. 88. Landry had Fackrell ranked 53rd on his horizontal draft board.

In his career at Utah State, Fackrell had 253 career tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, seven passes defended and four interceptions. The former Aggie missed almost all of the 2014 season due to an ACL tear, but bounced back with a solid season in 2015.

This is part of the scouting report Landry did on the 6’5″, 245-pound Fackrell:

He is very loose to wrap around blocks and pursue from the back side. He’s versatile in the passing game. He can run and mirror tight ends and he’s an explosive blitzer. Overall, this is a very athletic edge defender with the ability to make plays on all three downs.

Kyler Fackrell of Utah State

Landry was also impressed by Fackrell in the Senior Bowl and said this about him:

Utah State pass rusher Kyler Fackrell beat Texas Tech left tackle Le’Raven Clark with an inside move in the first quarter to get a hit on Alabama QB Jake Coker just as he released a pass, forcing an incompletion. He helped himself this week and today and could go as early as the third round, possibly late second.

Bottom line, according to one of the best scouts in the business, the Packers have done very well on the first two days of the 2016 NFL draft.

The Packers have four more selections on Day 3 of the draft and hope to do as well on Saturday, as they did on Thursday and Friday.

Final 7-Round 2016 NFL Mock Draft for the Green Bay Packers

Yes, Christmas in late April is right around the corner. We are just three days from the 2016 NFL draft, which begins on April 28 and runs through April 30.

By now, Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers have put together their draft board. NFL scout Chris Landry always says that if teams set up their draft board properly, it will guide you through the entire draft.

Landry feels that Thompson and the Packers are one of the best in the NFL at setting up their board.

As I’ve mentioned a number of times, when it comes to all the NFL draft material I put out, I rely heavily on the insight and information I receive from Landry via our conversations and also the data I get from his fine website.

Through my conversations with Landry and by gaining key data from his website, I have had some success throughout the years doing mock drafts for the Packers. For instance, I was correct in my projection that both both cornerback Quinten Rollins and linebacker Jake Ryan would be selected by the Packers in my final mock draft last year.

This will be my final mock draft before the festivities begin on Thursday night. In my first mock draft, I had the Packers selecting tight end Hunter Henry of Arkansas in the first round. However, after the signing of free agent tight end Jared Cook, I believe the Packers will definitely look to shore up at another position in the first round.

That is not to say that the Packers still won’t be looking to select another tight end later in the draft.

In my second mock draft, I had the Packers selecting inside linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama. That is still a very distinct possibility, especially with the Packers looking to move Clay Matthews back to the outside at linebacker.

In my third mock draft, I had the Packers taking defensive lineman Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech. That also is a good possibility, because veteran B.J. Raji is taking a hiatus from football in 2016.

But enough of looking back, it’s time for my final 2016 NFL mock draft for the Packers.

Round 1: Linebacker Reggie Ragland (Alabama)

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 247 pounds

The Packers will have a number of options in Round 1 of the 2016 NFL draft, but if linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama is still on the board at pick No. 27, the Packers should definitely consider taking him. Landry sees Ragland as the best inside linebacker in the draft.

“Well, I think Reggie Ragland is a better version of C.J. Mosley,” Landry told me last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “He’s got great range. I do think he’s a three-down linebacker. I think he can do a lot in blitz looks as well. He’s going to be an outstanding player.”

Alabama was ranked third in total defense and first in rushing defense in the FBS. Ragland was a big reason why.

In the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Ragland had 197 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 10 pass breakups, one interception, four sacks and three forced fumbles.

Ragland is a downhill, physical linebacker at the point of attack on the inside on running downs, plus can blitz well, both from the inside and outside on passing downs. He also had a good week at the Senior Bowl, as he also showed solid coverage skills.

At the combine, Ragland ran a 4.72 in the 40-yard dash.

Plus, adding to all that, Ragland thinks he will become a member of the Packers, per this story by Chase Goodbread of 24/7 Sports.

“I did meet with them, and they talked to me about that they needed a linebacker on the inside,” said Ragland. “And if they had the opportunity, I think they would. But I’m not sure. It all depends when draft day comes.”

Round 2: Defensive Lineman Chris Jones (Mississippi State)

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 310

Defensive lineman Chris Jones of Mississippi State is an intriguing prospect who has excellent size and natural power.

Jones is strong in his hands and upper body and he utilizes those assets to shed blockers. Jones also has quick feet. He has the ability to collapse the pocket rushing the passer, as he had 34 quarterback pressures in his career.

Jones is also solid stopping the run, as he has the agility to scrape down line of scrimmage and look for the ball carrier.

In his career with the Bulldogs, Jones had 94 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks.

Even with his great size and talent, Jones has not played up to his expectations, as he was former 5-star recruit coming into college.

This is where working under a defensive line coach like Mike Trgovac will really help him. Trgovac will make sure that the fire is always lit under Jones. As will his defensive linemate Mike Daniels.

Like they did with Ragland, the Packers have already met with Jones.

Jones is better suited to play the 5- technique (defensive end), but can also play the 3-technique (nose tackle).

The Packers need to add some help on their defensive line, especially with B.J. Raji taking a hiatus from football in 2016. Add to that, Mike Pennel is suspended for the first four games of the regular season due to violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

The good news for the Packers regarding their defensive line is that the team re-signed Letroy Guion in free agency, plus Josh Boyd will be back this season after spending the 2015 season on injured reserve. In addition to that, the Packers really like the upside of Christian Ringo, who spent the 2015 season on the team’s practice squad.

Round 3: Offensive Tackle Kyle Murphy (Stanford)

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 305 pounds

Stanford runs a pro-style offense and they run a very good mixture of plays in both the passing game and the running game. The offense was very successful, as once again the Cardinal won the Pac-12 conference and the Rose Bowl.

Kyle Murphy was a big reason why. Murphy played left tackle in 2015, plus played right tackle in 2014.

Murphy was named first team All-Pac-12 in 2015 and second team All-Pac-12 in 2014.

Murphy is very consistent with his blocking in the running game, plus is also steady with his pass blocking.

The Packers desperately need some quality depth and a swing tackle at offensive tackle. Although he was re-signed (most likely to compete at guard), Don Barclay is certainly not the answer at the tackle position. Barclay gave up nine sacks just by himself in 2015, playing in place of both Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari when both were injured.

Bulaga has been injury prone his entire career in Green Bay, while Bakhtiari had both knee and ankle injuries which hampered him almost all of the 2015 season.

The Packers need a quality replacement on hand if either go down due to injury. Murphy can fill that role, plus has the ability to move inside as well if needed.

Round 4: Linebacker Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame)

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 223 pounds

Before his devastating knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl versus Ohio State, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame was considered the best linebacker in the country.

Dr. Dan Cooper, the surgeon who performed the procedure on Smith’s knee reconstruction, is optimistic that Smith will fully recover. That being said, right now Smith can neither raise his foot nor swing it out to the side, and it is not a given he gets those abilities back.

That is why he will most likely slip to the third day of the draft.

Landry talked to me about Smith’s medical status.

“Let me remind people,” Landry said. “There is not a better player in this draft than Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame.

“You are talking about a guy who could be the first pick or the second pick or third pick of the draft if he was healthy. If you are in a position, maybe like Bob’s Packers or somebody like that, I mean you are talking about an elite player.

“You would have to redshirt him, as he’s not going to play next year. But if you are willing to do that and be comfortable enough as an organization to do it, and then medically do you feel good, with the the doctors being comfortable saying that this guy is going to be fine in a year, it’s just going to take time, he is well worth the wait.”

Like they have done with both Ragland and Jones, the Packers also had a meeting with Smith prior to the draft.

Smith had a fantastic three-year career in South Bend, as he had 284 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

Before his injury, Smith ran a 4.44 in the 40.

Round 4 (compensatory):Running Back Kenyan Drake (Alabama)

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 210 pounds

By adding running back Kenyan Drake, the Packers will add  a very talented running back, who is not only pretty good toting the rock, but also is a big threat catching the football. Drake is also an outstanding kick returner.

In addition, the Pack will be adding another back from Alabama, which is where Eddie Lacy hails from. Drake played second fiddle to Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry at running back for the Crimson Tide, but was very effective when he got his opportunities.

Drake ran for 1,495 yards (6.4 average)  and 18 touchdowns in his career at Alabama, plus had 46 receptions for 570 yards (12.4  average) and four more scores.

Drake showed his kick returner prowess in the national title game versus Clemson, when he returned a kick for 95 yards and a score late in the game.

Drake showed of his speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, when he ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash.

Drake would be the heir apparent to James Starks as a compliment to Lacy, as No. 44 came back to the Packers on just a two-year deal after he tested the free agency market.

The Packers expect Lacy to come back with a vengeance in 2016 after a disappointing 2015 season. No. 27 was obviously carrying too much weight this past season, but has become much leaner thanks to working out with Tony Horton and utilizing his P90X workout.

The Packers expect Lacy top look more like the player he was in 2013 and 2014, when he averaged 1,159 yards rushing (4.4 average) and 10 touchdowns. Lacy also averaged 38.5 catches per season and two more scores in those two years.

I anticipate Lacy to have another big year in 2016, as he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2017. At that point, I believe the Packers would re-sign Lacy and that Drake would be an excellent partner to pair with No. 27 at running back into the future.

Round 4 (compensatory): Linebacker Jatavis Brown (Akron)

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 222 pounds

Jatavis Brown of Akron was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, which was the same honor cornerback Quinten Rollins of the Packers received in 2014 when he played for Miami (Ohio).

Brown had a fantastic season in 2015 for the Zips, as he 116 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles.

Brown led the way on the Akron defense which was third in the country versus the rush.

With the addition of Brown, the Packers will definitely be adding some speed to their defense. On his pro day, Brown was phenomenal, as he showed off his strength and speed. He had an outstanding 33 reps in the bench press, plus ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash.

I asked Landry if Brown’s performance on his pro day had him moving up his draft board.

“Yeah, I do,” Landry said. “I did a little more work on him which you’ll see in the scouting reports that I’m working through. His [Brown’s] workout caused me to do a little more work.

“He’s not moving up a whole lot, but I think he has some value. I still think he’s a guy that may go maybe as high as the third, but certainly he deserves to be in the fourth round, the 5.5 group. He’s at the top of my 5.4 group now, with Dadi Nicolas of Virginia Tech.”

Round 5: Tight End Tanner McEvoy (Wisconsin)

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 230 pounds

Tanner McEvoy was used like a Swiss army knife by Wisconsin. The 6’6″, 230-pound McEvoy played quarterback, safety and wide receiver for the Badgers. In three years with the team, McEvoy showed how athletic he was at these positions.

At quarterback, he wasn’t a great passer, as he had just five touchdown passes versus six interceptions for 709 yards. But when it came to running the football as a QB, he was very dangerous. McEvoy ran for 706 yards on just 82 carries (8.6 average) for eight touchdowns.

McEvoy got to play some wide receiver at Wisconsin in 2015, and he had 10 catches for 109 yards. The reason his stats were so low was because he was a starting safety for the Badgers, as he had six interceptions, which was second in the Big 10 and sixth nationally.

Most scouts think McEvoy would be better suited to play tight end in the NFL due to his size and athleticism. Those attributes would also be a big reason why he would also excel on special teams.

Chris Landry had this to say about McEvoy:

“He [McEvoy] is an athletic guy,” Landry said. “I think he can play tight end. He’s a project. I think he’s more of a later-round guy. But I do have him and I’ve done a lot of work on him this spring.

“I do think he does have some value later in the draft. I’ve got him as a fifth-round guy and I’ll update my boards in a little bit. I’ve got a 5.4 grade on him and I think he and a couple other kids, like the [Darion] Griswold kid from Arkansas State, have a lot of ability.

“They’ve [Wisconsin] done a really good job with tight ends in the past. They understand blocking, which is important. He’s not a guy who is going to be a great receiver, but I think he can develop into more of a polished receiver and understand blocking.”

Like the Badgers did, the Packers can utilize McEvoy in a number of ways. Besides being a special teams stalwart, McEvoy can be groomed at tight end (even with the recent signing of Jared Cook), plus can help out on defense at times.

McEvoy would also be an intriguing prospect to play linebacker on passing downs, where he could cover running backs and tight ends. He has the size, speed, hands and track record to excel there.

Round 6: Offensive Lineman Nick Ritcher (Richmond)

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 305 pounds

Nick Ritcher was the best player on the offensive line for one of the best football programs in the FCS at Richmond.

Ritcher certainly has the quick feet to play the offensive tackle position in the NFL, but he might be a better fit to play inside when it’s all said and done.

Nick’s dad Jim was a 16-year NFL veteran, who played with the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons. Jim mostly played center in the NFL.

The Packers need to add to their depth and talent on the offensive line, at both guard and tackle. Both left guard Josh Sitton and right guard T.J. Lang played through injury issues in 2015 and both will be unrestricted free agents in 2017.

Ritcher definitely has the lineage and ability to add some talent to the Pack’s offensive line, no matter the position.

Round 7: Quarterback Jeff Driskel (Louisiana Tech)

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 234 pounds

With the loss of quarterback Scott Tolzien via free agency, the Packers will be looking for a third quarterback to play behind starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Brett Hundley.

Hundley was truly fantastic in his chance to shine in the 2015 preseason for the Packers. All told, Hundley posted a passer rating of 129.7 based on 45 completions on 65 attempts for 630 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception last summer.

It would be nice if the third quarterback has a strong arm and good mobility, just like Rodgers and Hundley have.

Jeff Driskel of Louisiana Tech has those attributes. Driskel played in the Senior Bowl this year and he threw a late touchdown pass off his back foot late in the game.

Driskel played most of his collegiate career with the Florida Gators before transferring to Louisiana Tech. In his career with both Florida and Louisiana Tech, Driskel threw 50 touchdown passes versus 28 picks for 7,437 yards.

Driskel also rushed for 972 yards and had 14 touchdowns.

In his one and only year at La Tech, Driskel threw 27 touchdowns passes versus eight interceptions for 4,026 yards.

A Scout’s Take on Linebackers Leonard Floyd and Darron Lee

Leonard Floyd of Georgia

We are now less than a week from the start of the 2016 NFL draft. On Thursday night, April 28, the first round of the draft will be held. The question for Packer Nation is, who will Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers select with pick No. 27?

That’s a good question. There are a number of possibilities. But if we just narrow it down to the position of linebacker, whether as an outside linebacker or an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme that the Packers utilize, the list grows smaller.

The top two linebackers in the draft, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame and Myles Jack of UCLA will most likely not be options for the Packers at that point.

Smith looks to be a second or third day selection, after it’s been determined that he will miss the entire 2016 season due to the devastating knee injury he suffered during the Fiesta Bowl.

There are all sorts of rumors flying around about the medical status of Jack, but according to scout scout Chris Landry, Jack is still expected to be a top 10 pick, and perhaps even a top five pick.

Speaking of Landry, he has done a horizontal draft board on his fine website, and in it he puts out the various grades he has done on the prospects in the first four rounds of the draft.

In this particular draft board, Landry gives only 19 players 1st round values. That includes Smith and Jack.

In the next round round however, Landry gives a whopping 62 players 2nd round values. Landry breaks it down further and gives 28 of those 62 players early 2nd round value. Included in this group are linebackers Leonard Floyd of Georgia, Darron Lee of Ohio State and Reggie Ragland of Alabama.

Landry also gives Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky that same rating, but he classifies Spence as a defensive end. But in Green Bay, Spence would be a 3-4 outside linebacker.

What that means is that some of the players who Landry gives early 2nd round values will be drafted in Round No. 1, especially with only 19 players getting a 1st round value from Landry. And Smith doesn’t look like he will be among that group because of his injury status.

So, if the Packers do decide to select a linebacker with pick No. 27, the choices would come down to Floyd, Lee, Ragland and Spence. All of those players could also be gone by pick No. 27, which would make the Packers look at a different position. Perhaps a defensive lineman.

But the odds say that at least one of these players will probably be there at pick No. 27. I have already done pieces about both Ragland and Spence, so this article will focus on Floyd and Lee.

The 6’6″, 244-pound Floyd projects to be an outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme run by the Packers. Floyd was a three-year starter at Georgia, where he had 184 tackles, 28.5 tackles for losses and 17 sacks.

Floyd has excellent speed for his size, as he ran a 4.6 in the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has used that speed, both in rushing the passer and also in coverage when he was asked to do so as a Bulldog. Floyd is also considered a good tackler.

Darron Lee of Ohio State

The 6’1″, 232-pound Lee is athletic as any linebacker in this year’s draft. Lee could play any of the linebacker positions in the 3-4 scheme used by the Pack, but would most likely be used an inside linebacker.

Lee ran a 4.47 in the 40 at the combine and looked very good in the other drills as well. In the two years he started at Ohio State, Lee was very versatile in playing the run, rushing the passer and being used in coverage. He had 147 tackles, 27.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks and three interceptions in 2014 and 2015.

I had another opportunity to talk with Landry this week on 620 WDAE’s Steve Duemig Show. I wanted to get his take on both Floyd and Lee.

“Leonard Floyd to me is an intriguing guy,” Landry said. “He’s a little thin-waist. I think he’s really athletic. He reminds me a little of Kiki Mingo coming out of LSU. Maybe a little bit of Eli Harold.

“He’s got good edge rush speed at 6’6″, 244, and he can really run.”

Landry then turned his thoughts to Lee.

“Darron Lee, who I like an awful lot as well, is really explosive,” Landry said. “To me, he is like Kwon Alexander. He’s athletic. He’s got a little bit of Thomas Davis in him as well.

“He can play all the linebacker positions. He’s really, really athletic. He’s got the frame to get a little bit bigger. He shows some ability on the blitz. I think he’s a 4-3 Will, but he can play in a 3-4.

“He’s got great versatility, in that he can stay on the field for three downs. He can play in pursuit, cover and even rush the passer.”

So, when does Landry expect Floyd and Lee to be selected in the upcoming draft?

“I expect both of them to be off the board late in that first-round area,” Landry said. “With high second-round, 6.4 grades. Those guys are going to have to go, even with high second-round grades, just by the numbers.”

Green Bay Packers: Remembering Scout Jack Vainisi

Vince Lombardi with Jack Vainisi

We are exactly one week away from the 2016 NFL draft. General manager Ted Thompson of the Green Bay Packers held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the preparation for this year’s draft.

Per his usual routine when he speaks with the media, Thompson kept things very general about how he and his scouting staff prepare for the draft.

“We try to draft the best player available,” Thompson said. “We think it’s important to stay focused and try to take the best player. I think that from a personal standpoint. Situation about needs isn’t normally a temporary one. As long as you’re taking really good players and best players you can identify, then you’re in some respects you’re able to stay a little bit in front of the curve. There can be some of both. You can be in a position where this solves problem A on our roster, but he’s also the best player available. If you get lucky where you can address both – if it comes to one or the other, I prefer to take the best player.”

Thompson also talked about when his scouts get together to discuss the upcoming draft. Counting Eliot Wolf, who is now Director of Football Operations, there are 16 people in the scouting department.

“It’s good. It’s not always comfortable because there are disagreements where people, rightfully so, think differently. They’re paid to do so. They’re encouraged by everybody, myself included, to make sure their voices are heard. … You still want to have the passion and energy to stand on the table and say, ‘This is what we need to do, and this is the reason we need to do it,’ Thompson said.

Back in 1950s, only one voice was heard in the scouting department of the Packers. That’s because one man pretty much did all the scouting. That man’s name was Jack Vainisi.

Vainisi was the talent scout for the Packers from 1950-1960. In those 10 years, Vainisi picked six players for the Packers who would eventually be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sadly, Vainisi died of a heart attack in 1960 at the young age of 33, just prior the championship run of the Vince Lombardi-era Packers.

Vainisi did a terrific job overall in his scouting, but he had two draft classes which were certainly among the best in the history of the Packers, if not the NFL.

In 1956, Vainisi and the Packers selected two future Hall of Famers. Those players were right tackle Forrest Gregg (2nd round) and quarterback Bart Starr (17th round).

Starr won five NFL championships as a quarterback, more than any other quarterback in NFL history. Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady have all won four championships, but Starr is still all alone with five titles. In addition, Starr quarterbacked the Packers to wins in the first two Super Bowls, winning MVP in each game.

Starr was also the league MVP in 1966, plus led the NFL in passing three times. Starr is probably best remembered for his thrilling quarterback sneak with 13 seconds remaining in the legendary Ice Bowl.

Starr was named All-Pro four times and was also named to the Pro Bowl four times. Starr was 9-1 as a playoff QB. Starr also had his number retired (No. 15) by the Packers.

In his book Run To Daylight, Lombardi said, “Forrest Gregg is the finest player I ever coached!” Gregg played 14 seasons for the Packers.

Gregg was named All-Pro nine times and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times as well.

Also in this draft, Vainisi was able to select two very solid starters in left tackle Bob Skoronski and defensive back Hank Gremminger, both of whom started for the Packers for 10 years or more.

As good as the 1956 draft class was, the 1958 class that Vainisi selected was even better.

In the first round, the Packers selected linebacker Dan Currie. In the second round, the Packers selected fullback Jim Taylor. In the third round, the Packers selected linebacker Ray Nitschke. In the fourth round, the Packers selected right guard Jerry Kramer.

All four of those players had excellent careers in the NFL, with two of them (Taylor and Nitschke) getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are many, including myself, who believe Kramer should also be in Canton based on his outstanding NFL resume.

Taylor is the second all-time rushing leader for the Packers with 8,207 yards. Taylor also scored 91 touchdowns in his career, including 19 in 1962, the year Taylor was named MVP in the NFL.

Taylor was named All-Pro six times and was also named to the Pro Bowl five times. No. 31 led the team in rushing seven times, and also led the NFL in rushing in 1962. He probably would have led the league a few more times if not for the presence of the great Jim Brown in his era.

Taylor had five seasons of 1,000 yards or more, plus gained over 100 yards in a game 26 times.

Nitschke was the face of the defense in the Lombardi era, which was then coordinated by Phil Bengtson. No. 66 also played in an era that had some excellent middle linebackers like Dick Butkus, Sam Huff, Bill George and Joe Schmidt.

Nitschke was named All-Pro six times and was named to only one Pro Bowl squad for some ridiculous reason. Nitschke was also MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, as he deflected one pass for an interception and also recovered two fumbles.

No. 66 also had his number retired by the Packers.

Currie was All-Pro three times and was selected to one Pro Bowl. Currie was later traded to the Los Angeles Rams for wide receiver Carroll Dale in 1965.

Kramer was first-team All-Pro five times and was named to three Pro Bowl teams. He was also named to the NFL’s 50th Anniversary first-team. Kramer is the ONLY member of that squad not in Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kramer also kicked three fields goals in the windy and chilly conditions at Yankee Stadium in the 1962 NFL Championship game. Those three field goals were the difference in the game, as the Packers beat the Giants, 16-7. No. 64 received a game ball for his efforts on that blustery day.

Kramer is most famous for his classic block in the 1967 NFL Championship Game, better known as the “Ice Bowl.” With 13 seconds remaining in the game and the Packers trailing 17-14 to the Dallas Cowboys, Kramer got great leverage with his block on defensive tackle Jethro Pugh, and Starr happily followed his right guard into NFL immortality by scoring the winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

Kramer related to me how he found out he was drafted by the Packers and Vainisi in 1958.

“I was in class at the University of Idaho when I was drafted,” Kramer said. “I came out of class and Wayne Walker, who was my classmate and who was also drafted by the Detroit Lions, told me I was drafted by Green Bay.”

Kramer had received a letter from Vainisi prior to the draft to let him know that the Packers were interested in his services.

Besides selecting  Gregg, Starr, Taylor and Nitschke who all ended up in Canton, Vainisi also selected center Jim Ringo in 1953 and halfback Paul Hornung in 1957, both of whom would join their teammates at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Vainisi also had a very nice draft in 1952, when he was able to select wide receiver Bill Howton, defensive back Bobby Dillon and defensive lineman Dave Hanner among others.

It was the great draft work by Vainisi in the 1950s, which set the foundation for all the championships which were won by the Packers in the 1960s under Lombardi.

Plus, it was Vainisi himself who played a big role in getting Lombardi to come to Green Bay in 1959. Vainisi called Lombardi, who was then an assistant coach with the Giants, to interview for the head coaching job in Green Bay.

That hiring of Lombardi led to five NFL championships in seven years, along with victories in the first two Super Bowls. The Packers also became the one and only team to win three consecutive titles (1965, 1966 and 1967) in the NFL, since the league went to a playoff system in 1933.

Unfortunately, Vainisi wasn’t around to witness the glorious legacy that Lombardi and many of the players he drafted would leave behind in Green Bay.

Why the Packers are Bringing Back Don Barclay

I’m sure many of the faithful in Packer Nation are wondering why the Green Bay Packers decided to reportedly bring back offensive lineman Don Barclay. According to an article by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Barclay will re-sign with the team.

This decision probably shocked more than just a few people, especially based on the performance of Barclay in 2015. No. 67 started five games for the Packers last season, four at right tackle and one at left tackle. In those games, Barclay gave up nine sacks and multiple pressures.

To be fair, Barclay was coming off an ACL tear which kept him out the entire 2014 season.

Still, the Packers knew that Barclay did not have the feet necessary to play offensive tackle in the NFL. That’s why the team played him at guard most of the 2012 training camp, after he was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of West Virginia.

I was at training camp a number of times in 2012 and Barclay was impressive. He was tenacious to the whistle and his run-blocking stood out while he played inside. When injuries and lack of depth occurred at the tackle position, Barclay started getting some reps at right tackle behind Bryan Bulaga.

Barclay showed the coaching staff enough that summer in training camp to make the team. A little over halfway through the 2012 season, Barclay was suddenly thrust into starting at right tackle, as Bulaga suffered a season-ending hip injury in Week 9.

Barclay had his ups and his downs in four starts at right tackle throughout that season. Overall, his pass-blocking was adequate, although he struggled versus edge rushers. Like he showed in training camp, Barclay was better than average as a run-blocker.

In 2013, the plan was for Barclay to get more work inside at guard, plus he had some reps at center as well. But when Bulaga tore his ACL on Family Night, Barclay was pressed to play right tackle again for the entire season.

Once again, Barclay struggled with edge rushers in 14 starts. But all in all, he did a somewhat decent job protecting the quarterback for the most part. The run-blocking of Barclay was his again his biggest attribute.

In 2014, the plan was for Barclay to be sort of the Swiss Army Knife for the offensive line and play both inside and outside in reserve. But then he tore his ACL and missed the entire year.

The ACL tear took it’s toll on Barclay last season, as his lack of foot speed was very apparent when he played either tackle position, but especially left tackle.

After his dismal pass-blocking performance in the Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals at left tackle, as the team gave up nine sacks as a team, the Packers never looked at Barclay again at either tackle position the rest of the season or the playoffs.

The most important player on the Packers is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It’s imperative that the team protects No. 12 with the best possible set of offensive tackles.

Bulaga is one of the best right tackles in the NFL when he’s healthy. Left tackle David Bakhtiari played hurt in 2015, but has made steady improvement over his three years in the NFL.

The Packers need to find quality talent and depth at the position, especially since Bulaga has been somewhat injury prone (38 missed games) his entire career. Up until last season, Bakhtiari had been fairly healthy, but it’s also important to know that he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2017 as well.

To me, there is only one reason that the Packers are bringing back Barclay. It’s because the Packers want him to get some reps at guard, where he was best suited to play when he first arrived in the NFL.

Barclay’s run-blocking skills can be better utilized at guard, plus the pass-blocking issues that Barclay has had in the past will not be so apparent on the inside of the line.

The Packers know that they could have some issues at the guard position soon. Both left guard Josh Sitton and right guard T.J. Lang have played hurt the past couple of years. Plus, both players will be unrestricted free agents in 2017.

Another player who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2017 is center/guard JC Tretter. Tretter did a nice job playing center last year while Corey Linsley was injured, plus did a pretty nice job at left tackle in the playoff game against the Washington Redskins.

The Packers also re-signed backup guard Lane Taylor to a two-year, $4.15 million contract early last month. Taylor made only two starts last season and was active for just six games, including playoffs, but the Packers saw enough in his performance to bring him back.

The Packers are also very high on Matt Rotheram, who spent all of the 2015 season on the practice squad. In fact, the Packers upped the salary for Rotheram in early December to over $25,000 per week, which is active roster money.

The Packers did the same thing with defensive lineman Christian Ringo. That procedure is usually done when another NFL team is attempting to the sign a player like Rotheram or Ringo to their active roster.

Back to Barclay. I can’t see the Packers offering him more than the minimum veteran’s salary to come back. He certainly won’t make the $1.542 million he made last season.

Bottom line, I believe the Packers are going to give Barclay an opportunity at the position that he looked pretty good at in training camp in 2012. That would be at guard.

I may be wrong, but the Packers would be much better served to find more quality depth at the offensive tackle position in the 2016 NFL draft.

Let Barclay play the guard position that he is best suited for and let’s see what happens.

The Ready For Prime Time Packers

The NFL released the 2016 schedule on Thursday and the Green Bay Packers once again found themselves in the prime time spotlight. Looking at the Pack’s schedule, the team finds itself in five prime time games.

The Packers will play in three Sunday night games, one Monday night game and one Thursday night game.

Getting five prime time games is nothing new for the Packers in their recent history. In four of the past five years, from 2011 through 2015, Green Bay also had five prime time games.

From 2006 through 2010, the Packers also had four prime time games in each of those seasons.

So, why are the Packers on so often in prime time? One reason is the success of the Packers on the football field.

Since the marriage of Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy was consummated in 2006, the team has gone 104-55-1 in that period (.653 winning percentage) and have won five NFC North titles. The Packers have also been to the postseason eight times in McCarthy’s ten years in Green Bay, which includes seven straight times now.

The Packers have been 8-7 in the postseason during that time, which includes three appearances in the NFC title game and one Super Bowl win.

It doesn’t hurt that the Packers also have one of best players in the NFL on their team. I’m speaking of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has won two NFL MVP awards and is the highest-rated passer in the history of the NFL.

Rodgers was also the MVP of Super Bowl XLV when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before there was Rodgers at quarterback, there was Brett Favre.

It was general manager Ron Wolf who acquired Favre in a trade in 1992. Shortly before that trade, he hired Mike Holmgren to become his head coach. Those two decisions by Wolf, along with the signing of free agent Reggie White, made the Packers into a Super Bowl contender.

The Packers were 75-37 in the Holmgren era (1992-1998) and won three NFC Central titles. In the postseason, the team was 9-5, won two NFC titles and also Super Bowl XXXI.

During that era, Favre won three straight NFL MVP awards in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

It started slowly, as the Packers were on just once in prime time in 1992 (Sunday night football), but once the NFL knew that the Packers would become a force, the prime time games were put on the schedule in abundance starting in 1993.

From 1993 through 1995, the Packers were on prime time three times. From 1996 through 1998, the Packers were on prime time four times each season.

Even after Holmgren left the team, and the team was coached by Ray Rhodes for one season and Mike Sherman for six seasons, the team was still a staple on prime time.

From 1999 through 2005, the Packers played in 26 prime time games. Although the Packers never reached the Super Bowl during that period, the team was 65-47 during the regular season, won three NFC North titles and were in the postseason four times.

If one looks at the period from when the Wolf/Holmgren/Favre era started in 1992 to the present day, the Packers have been in prime time games 91 times. Add in the five times the Packers will be involved in prime time games in 2016, the total is 96.

Think about that for a moment. That’s 96 prime time games in 25 years. That rounds out to about four prime time games each season. That’s an amazing total.

It always wasn’t like that in Titletown.

Monday night football made it’s debut in the NFL in 1970. The Packers, led by quarterback Bart Starr, beat the San Diego Chargers 22-20 on October 12 in San Diego that Monday night in 1970.

Later that season on November 9, the Packers were beaten by the Baltimore Colts 13-10 in Milwaukee in another Monday night game. Starr was injured, so Don Horn started at quarterback for the Packers in that game.

The Packers did not have a lot of good teams from 1970 through 1991. The team only had four winning seasons during that period. Green Bay made the playoffs in just two of those years.

That was a big reason why the Packers were not in many prime time games back then. In fact, the Packers were in just 18 Monday night games during the period from 1970 through 1991.

It’s important to know that the era of NFL football games being played on Sunday night and Thursday night were not played back in that period. Sunday night football started in 1990 and Thursday night football started  in 1991.

Still, the Packers went ten years (1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992) without even being on Monday night football.

Since 1993, the Packers have been on Monday night football each and every season. That includes 44 appearances.

Overall, the Packers are 30-31-1 on Monday night football in their history. The Pack loves playing on Sunday night for the most part, as the team is 24-7. The Packers don’t not have as much luck on Thursday night, as the team is 5-6 in those games.

The Thanksgiving Day games used to be an annual tradition for the Packers, as they used to play the Detroit Lions each and every season on that day in Detroit from 1951 through 1963. Vince Lombardi put a stop to that series after the 1963 season.

The Packers were just 1-7 from 1951 through 1958 on Turkey Day. From 1959 through 1963, when Lombardi was head coach, the Packers fared better, as they were 2-2-1.

In the prime time era, the Packers have played on Thanksgiving 11 times and have a 5-6 record. That includes the Thanksgiving night game played versus da Bears last season at Lambeau Field.  The Packers couldn’t pull out a victory, even though Favre had his No. 4 jersey retired that night and Starr made an emotional appearance to honor Favre.

Bottom line, the Packers are most definitely a favorite for the programming executives for the various networks that televise the team in prime time. Not only because the team has been so successful, but also because a game with the Packers in it always brings great ratings.

Not only does Packer Nation travel well to road games, but they also watch their beloved Packers in large numbers on television, especially viewing prime time games.

A Scout’s Take On Edge Rusher Noah Spence

Noah Spence at the 2016 Senior Bowl

We are now just two weeks away from the start of the 2016 NFL draft. The first round starts on April 28. Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers should have a number of options available at pick No. 27 in the first round.

One of those options might be edge rusher Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky. Spence started his career at Ohio State before he ran into some off the field issues. Spence twice tested positive for the drug ecstasy which led to his departure from Columbus.

Before he left, the 6’2″, 251-pound Spence started all 13 games in 2013 for the Buckeyes, when he had 52 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

After sitting out a year due to transfer rules, Spence played for Eastern Kentucky in 2015 and continued his stellar play on the field. He had 63 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Spence also had an off the field incident at his new school. He was arrested in May of 2015 for alcohol intoxication and second­-degree disorderly conduct, but the incident was expunged from his record after some community service.

There is no doubt that Spence has a ton of talent when he is on the football field, but his poor decisions off the field certainly put up a red flag.

Still, a number of teams, including the Packers, have met with Spence. According to reports, Spence has been accountable for his actions to teams who have interviewed him and is trying to change his life and correct his problems.

I wanted to get a read on Spence from NFL scout Chris Landry. Landry has given Spence a 6.4 grade, which equates to an early 2nd round value. It’s important to know that Landry has only 19 players in this draft with first-round grades, while he has 62 players with second-round grades.

I talked to Landry on Wednesday on 620 WDAE’s Steve Duemig Show. Spence played defensive end in college, so he certainly could be a fit in a 4-3 scheme as a DE, but he also has the ability to be a 3-4 outside linebacker.

“Noah Spence is a guy who could absolutely have some consideration in the first round when you start to have the first round grades go off the board,” Landry said. “I see him a 4-3 guy, but I think he can rush from a two or three-point stance. High-motor guy.

“He reminds me a bit of Whitney Mercilus. He doesn’t have great ability at the point of attack. I think he could be a good 3-4 rush backer. Really, with all the teams, even the 3-4 teams, they play 4-3 in nickel or pass rush.

“To me, he’s going to be a good pass rusher. He’s had some issues off the field. Failed drug tests. He didn’t have a great interview at the combine with teams, but I think everyone’s going to have to do their due diligence.

“Somebody like Seattle, who doesn’t have a problem with taking guys like that. Watch a team like that perhaps later in the first round for somebody like Noah Spence.”

Noah Spence at Ohio State

Ironically, the Seahawks have the 26th pick in the first round this year, which is right before the Packers select with pick No. 27. What’s interesting to note however, is that the Seahawks are not among the 17 NFL teams who have met with Spence.

There are three teams besides the Packers who have selections late in the first round and who have also met with Spence. That would be the Kansas City Chiefs (pick No. 28), the Arizona Cardinals (pick No. 29) and the Carolina Panthers (pick No. 30).

So, do I think I think it’s possible that the Packers might select Spence with the 27th pick of the draft? Well, I think it is possible, as do believe the Packers will be targeting a player who can help their Front 7 on defense.

That being said, Thompson and the Pack should have a number of options available with their pick who can help that particular situation with their defense.

Other players who I believe the Packers are interested with the 27th selection include LB Darron Lee (Ohio State), LB Reggie Ragland (Alabama), DL Jarran Reed (Alabama), DL Vernon Butler (Louisiana Tech), DL Kenny Clark (UCLA) and DL Andrew Billings (Baylor).

Plus, if the verdict come through on the positive side with linebacker Jaylon Smith’s (Notre Dame) medical re-check this week, then he too would be a possibility at pick No. 27.

Bottom line, while I do think the Packers would consider taking Spence at No. 27, I also believe that there will be other options available at that point which would yield similar talent and also much less of a risk off the field.

A Scout’s Take on Three Safety/Linebacker Hybrids and also Jaylon Smith

Deion Jones of LSU

The NFL is basically a copycat league. If one team has great success with a play or a scheme, other teams usually quickly follow suit.

That takes us to the great success that the Arizona Cardinals had by employing Deone Bucannon to play the weakside linebacker position for them in 2015. Bucannon was drafted as a safety out of Washington State in 2014 by the Cardinals.

The 6’1″, 210-pound Bucannon had a great season for Arizona at linebacker, as he started all 16 games and had 112 tackles, three sacks, and interception for a touchdown and three forced fumbles.

Bucannon played the run well, plus was used a number of ways in coverage, whether it was to shadow the slot receiver, running back or tight end.

Other NFL teams saw the success of Bucannon and the way he was used, and that is why teams are now interested in players in the 2016 NFL draft who can help them in a similar way.

Players who are smaller, quicker linebackers who are basically safety/linebacker hybrids. The key is that these players have to be effective stopping the run, plus also have the speed and coverage ability to help out in covering backs and receivers, whether they are in the slot or play tight end.

That is a position which would really help a team like the Green Bay Packers, as the team had issues covering backs and tight ends in 2015 on passing downs.

In looking at the prospects who can do that in the 2016 NFL draft, there are three players who I believe fit that mold. They are Su’a Cravens of USC, Deion Jones of LSU and Jatavis Brown of Akron.

That is why I wanted to get an opinion about these three players from NFL scout Chris Landry. I was particularly intrigued by the play of Brown, who was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. The same honor in 2014 went to cornerback Quinton Rollins of the Packers when he went to Miami (Ohio).

The 5’11”, 222-pound Brown had 116 tackles in 2015 for Akron, plus had 19.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles.

Then on his pro day, Brown was phenomenal, as he showed off his strength and speed. He had an outstanding 33 reps in the bench press, plus ran a 4.47 in the forty-yard dash. Brown was outstanding in the other drills as well.

Looking at the 6’1″, 226-pound Cravens, the former Trojan had a very nice year in 2015 as a safety/linebacker hybrid. He had 86 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

At the USC pro day, Craven ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, an event that he didn’t participate in at the NFL Scouting Combine.  At the combine, Cravens had 16 reps in the bench press. Cravens bumped up his vertical leap from 27 inches at the combine to 30.5 inches at his pro day.

Jones didn’t make a name for himself at LSU until 2015. But what a year it was for Jones. He had 88 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions (one for a TD) and one forced fumble.

At the combine, the 6’1″, 222-pound Jones didn’t participate in the bench press drill, but he did run a 4.59 in the 40, plus had a 33 inch leap in the vertical jump. Jones also helped himself at LSU’s pro day, as he lowered his 40 time to between 4.38 and 4.40, plus increased his vertical jump to 35.5 inches. Jones also had 16 reps in the bench press drill.

While he is still updating his linebacker draft board, Landry had given both Cravens and Jones 6.0 grades, which means that both have mid-to-late 2nd round value.

Brown meanwhile, was given a 5.4 mark, which means he had fifth to sixth round value.

When I had a chance to speak to Landry on Friday on 620 WDAE’s Steve Duemig Show, I first mentioned Bucannon and then wanted to get his opinions on Cravens, Jones and Brown, plus wanted to see if he had Brown moving up on his board thanks to his great pro day.

“Yeah, I do,” Landry said. “I did a little more work on him which you’ll see in the scouting reports that I’m working through. His [Brown’s] workout caused me to do a little more work.

“He’s not moving up a whole lot, but I think he has some value. I still think he’s a guy that may go maybe as high as the third, but certainly he deserves to be in the fourth round, the 5.5 group. He’s at the top of my 5.4 group now, with Dadi Nicolas of Virginia Tech.”

Landry than talked about how the safety/linebacker hybrid position has been transformed now in the NFL, especially with the play of Bucannon in 2015. Landry also said that Myles Jack from UCLA has the very same skills.

“Those are three good guys [Jones, Cravens and Brown] who represent good value and will be really good players.”

Landry than added some more insight about another linebacker from the 2016 NFL draft who the Packers have already met with.

Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame

“One of the big stories of this draft is going to be determined next week in large part,” Landry said. “I don’t know if we’ll hear about it that much, but when we go to the re-check physicals, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame [will get his].

“Let me remind people. There is not a better player in this draft than Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame. He’s the kid who had the knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State. If medically the doctors say that he’s going to be 100 percent once he’s healed, I mean there are teams talking late in the first round about taking him.

“You are talking about a guy who could be the first pick or the second pick or third pick of the draft if he was healthy. If you are in a position, maybe like Bob’s Packers or somebody like that, I mean you are talking about an elite player.

“You would have to redshirt him, as he’s not going to play next year. But if you are willing to do that and be comfortable enough as an organization to do it, and then medically do you feel good, with the the doctors being comfortable saying that this guy is going to be fine in a year, it’s just going to take time, he is well worth the wait.

“Remember, if you take him late first round, you get an extra year of him being under contract.”

Landry gave Smith the highest grade on his linebacker draft board with a 6.5 mark, which was also shared by Jack of UCLA.

Would Ted Thompson and the Packers select Smith with pick No. 27 in the first round? The fact that they have already met with the 6’2″, 223-pound Smith tells me that they would.

Smith had a fantastic three-year career in South Bend, as he had 284 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

Before his injury, Smith ran a 4.44 in the 40.

So, depending on the board at the time, and if Smith is still available, I would think that Thompson and the Packers would give serious consideration into selecting the former Fighting Irish star.

A Scout’s Take on Who the Packers May Select With Pick No. 27

Linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama

We are now just 22 days away from the first night of the 2016 NFL draft. Yes, the first round of the draft starts on April 28.

The Green Bay Packers have selection No. 27 in that first round. It will be interesting as to who the Packers might select at that point late in the first round. One thing is for sure. Ted Thompson and the Packers should have a number of options.

I have put out three mock drafts thus far and will also put out a final mock draft the week of the actual draft.

In my first mock draft, I had the Packers selecting tight end Hunter Henry of Arkansas in the first round. However, after the signing of free agent tight end Jared Cook, I believe the Packers will definitely look to shore up at another position in the first round.

That is not to say that the Packers still won’t be looking to select another tight end later in the draft.

In my second mock draft, I had the Packers selecting inside linebacker Reggie Ragland of Alabama. That is still a very distinct possibility, especially with the Packers looking to move Clay Matthews back to the outside at linebacker.

In my third mock draft, I had the Packers taking defensive lineman Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech. That also is a good possibility, because veteran B.J. Raji is taking a hiatus from football in 2016.

As I’ve mentioned a number of times, when it comes to all the NFL draft material I put out, I rely heavily on the insight and information I receive from scout Chris Landry via our conversations and also the data I get from his fine website.

Speaking of his site, Landry put out a piece earlier this week which talks about the possible projections and options of each team in Round 1. Here is what he wrote about the Packers:

1-27-27 Green Bay—ILB Reggie Ragland-Alabama, DT Andrew Billings-Baylor, DT Vernon Butler-LaTech, CB Artie Burns-Miami-FL, CB Mackenzie Alexander-Clemson,
Keep an eye out for a 6.5 graded player on my board that may drop or one of the top of the 6.4 group. For example, I don’t think Eli Apple, Darron Lee, Andrew Billings or Leonard Floyd to be left on board but if they are—bingo. The Packers can opt to go with one of the top players available at this juncture while also addressing an area of need. Ragland is a 3 down run defending specialist who would help to facilitate the move for Clay Matthews back outside. The have addressed the secondary in recent draft but that would not stop them for adding another young corner as they are down to 3 reliable ones with the loss of Hayward. They need to get younger and better on the interior of their defensive line.

You will note that Landry has both Ragland and Butler as possibilities for the Packers in the first round. I agree with Landry in his assessment that Darron Lee, Andrew Billings and Leonard Floyd will all probably be off the board by the time the Packers select at No. 27.

But you never know. Landry didn’t believe that Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would be there for the Packers to select with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. But No. 21 was indeed there and Thompson was more than happy to select the former Alabama star.

“I didn’t really think Clinton-Dix would be there for you, but I thought about you last night and I knew Packer fans like yourself have got to be really happy,” Landry told me the day after Clinton-Dix was selected by the Pack.

“This is a perfect example of a guy who knows how to run a draft in Ted Thompson, that works that draft board and good players fall to you. And you knew that the player was going to be a good one, and I thought it might be another guy from Alabama [C.J. Mosley], but this one’s a great one and was a really good pick for them.”

I would think that if Lee is still on the board, the Packers would take him without blinking an eyelash. As good as Ragland is, Lee is faster, as evidenced by the 4.47 he ran in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

Lee is athletic as any linebacker in this draft and at 6’1″, 232-pounds, can play inside in the 3-4 defensive scheme. Lee also has the frame to add some bulk. The former Buckeye had 147 tackles over the past two seasons, plus had 27.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks and three interceptions.

There is no doubt that Lee will be a three-down linebacker, as he showed excellent cover skills while he was at Ohio State.

Linebacker Darron Lee of Ohio State

If the Packers were able to get Lee on No. 27, Thompson would have to be pretty pleased. This is not to say that Ragland wouldn’t be an excellent fit either. Landry also sees the former Crimson Tide star as someone who can stay on the field all three downs on defense.

“Well, I think Reggie Ragland is a better version of C.J. Mosley,” Landry told me. “When he shows off [at the combine], I think he’ll weigh-in close to 260 [was actually 247 pounds] and he can run. He’s got great range. I do think he’s a three-down linebacker.”

Landry has known Thompson for a long time. Their relationship goes back to when Thompson was a linebacker with the Houston Oilers from 1975 though 1984. Landry was a scout for the Oilers at that time.

When the NFL Scouting Combine takes place each year, Landry takes the opportunity to catch up on things with Thompson again. Speaking of the combine, Landry was one of the scouts who first put together the initial combine for the NFL.

In looking at Landry’s possible projections and options for the Packers, I believe there is another position the Packers might be looking at with pick No. 27. That would be offensive tackle.

The Packers are in desperate need of a swing tackle who can come in to play if either right tackle Bryan Bulaga or left tackle David Bakhtiari can’t play. Let’s also not forget that Bakhtiari is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2017. Bakhtiari also played on a bad knee almost all of the 2015 season, plus had an ankle injury late in the year that caused him to miss a number of games.

In addition to that, Bulaga has now missed 38 games due to injury in his six-year career. That averages out to missing six games a year. Bulaga is a very good right tackle when he’s healthy. In fact, he’s one of the best right tackles in the NFL. The problem is that he can’t seem to stay healthy, as he missed four games just last season.

The team’s lack of depth at the position was a sore point last season. For instance, in the Week 16 game versus the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was hit 12 times, sacked eight times and fumbled three times (two of which were returned for touchdowns). The backup to Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, was also sacked.

That was the game when Bakhtiari didn’t play due to an ankle injury and then Bulaga also hurt his ankle and was forced to leave the game. The results were not pretty. They were in fact, downright ugly.

If one looks at the offensive tackles who Landry grades with either a 6.5 or 6.4 mark, the list includes Jack Conklin of Michigan State, Taylor Decker of Ohio State, Jason Spriggs of Indiana and Shon Coleman of Auburn.

While I believe the Packers would be more likely to take linebacker or defensive lineman at pick No. 27, if one of these offensive tackles are on the board at that pick, especially Conklin or Decker, the Packers might just take the plunge.

It all depends on what the board looks like at the time. Yes, I could see the Packers taking another cornerback in the first round, but remember this, Thompson has never drafted a cornerback who is shorter than 5’11”.

That would mean that Mackenzie Alexander of Clemson might not be an option for the Packers, as he is just 5’10”. But Eli Apple of Ohio State is 6’1′, while Artie Burns of Miami (FL) is 6’0″, so either would seem to be a fit for the Packers.

But if one looks at the cornerback depth on the roster of the Packers, it’s fairly deep. The three reliable cornerbacks of the Packers that Landry refers to are Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins.

Behind those three are Demetri Goodson and LaDarius Gunter, who both came on late in the 2015 season and showed some flashes of being pretty solid at the cornerback position.

Plus, the Packers are very intrigued by Robertson Daniel who was on their practice squad last season.

So, if the Packers do select a cornerback in Round 1, that player would have to be the best player on the Packers board. Perhaps that would be Apple, if he was still around at pick No. 27. Landry has him rated as the second-best cornerback on his board with a 6.5 grade.

Defensive Lineman Vernon Butler of Louisiana Tech

Still, I still believe the Packers would opt to select someone who could help their front seven on defense. That would include players like Lee and Ragland at linebacker or players like Billings, Butler and Kenny Clark of UCLA on the defensive line.

I believe the Packers would be very happy with either Billings, Butler or Clark if they were there at pick No. 27, but what if someone like Jarran Reed is still there at that pick. Like they would with someone like Lee still on the board, I believe that the Packers wouldn’t hesitate to select the former Crimson Tide star.

Bottom line, the Packers will have a number of options at pick No. 27. One never knows what the board will look like at that point. No matter what, the Packers should be able to select a quality player who can help the team.