Packers 2012 Mock Draft: 1st Through 4th Rounds

Earlier I wrote about six players the Green Bay Packers could select in the 5th through 7th rounds, and I explained how I'm conducting this mock draft to limit the pool of players I'm actually choosing from. I'm more interested that GM Ted Thompson at least addresses these particular positions in the draft.

4th round, pick 133. Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson. Ranked 136 by CBS Sports. There may be some concerns about a neck injury, and there are some concerns about his lack of speed. But he was a productive college player, and in the short-term, he'd be a fine replacement for departed free agent Pat Lee. Or he could compete to be the 4th string CB against Davon House.

4th round, pick 132. California DE Trevor Guyton. Ranked 132 by CBS Sports. He's not a pass rusher, but at 6-3 and 285 lbs. he could become a solid defensive end in a 3-4 system. He'd challenge C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn for a backup role, or a rotational spot, on the defensive line.

4th round, pick 123. Troy LB Jonathan Massaquoi. Ranked 126 by CBS Sports. He'd be a small school project, but he's talented and shown some skill as a pass rusher in college. With Erik Walden re-signed for one-year and $725,000, along with Frank Zombo and Brad Jones returning, Massaquoi wouldn't be needed to do it all next season. If he could provide a pass rush off the edge, he would be an immediate help.

3rd round, pick 90. Troy OL James Brown. Ranked 102 by CBS Sports. Back-to-back players from Troy? OK, it's unlikely, but in a weak draft class for centers, he strikes me as someone who may have enough athletic talent to play at either center or guard in a couple years. Otherwise known as the time at which Jeff Saturday retires. They do need to find someone who can either be the center of the future or provide depth at guard, and Brown might be able to do both.

2nd round, pick 59. Oklahoma CB Jamell Fleming. Ranked 59 by CBS Sports. In a weak draft for safeties, I'm looking at cornerbacks who could play safety. At 5-11 and 206 lbs. he's about the same size as Nick Collins. He's described as a zone defender, which is basically the Packers defensive scheme in the middle of the field. I like reading that he has good closing speed and ball skills.


1st round, pick 28. Penn State DT Devon Still. Ranked 28 by CBS Sports. They have to address the defensive line in the 1st round. They need a talented big man to take the pressure off B.J. Raji, and provide some production. There are some questions whether he'll play with a mean streak, and whether he's a one-year wonder, but the talent is there. If not Still, then I hope they draft the best defensive lineman available.

Blogger 2012 NFL Mock Draft

I took part in the mock draft over at Zone Blitz.com, along with a lot of other excellent team bloggers. The first round is now complete though I didn't draft for the Green Bay Packers until late last week. I selected Penn State DT Devon Still in the first round.

While linebacker is a need too, the defensive line needs the help even more. Devon Still would immediately become the second best defensive lineman on the roster if he were selected.

While Ryan Pickett is better at some things, Still would be the complete lineman who can play against the run and pass. And I'm not entirely sold on Still either. That's how bad the Packers defensive line has become.

Where The Recent Mock Drafts For The Green Bay Packers Stand

There are going to be a lot of mock drafts published in the final two weeks before the 2012 NFL draft, but I'm not expecting to see a big shift in what's expected from the Green Bay Packers. The consensus is that they need to find a pass rusher. And I can't argue with that analysis.

Mel Kiper's April 4th mock draft: USC DE/LB Nick Perry

Todd McShay's April 11th mock draft: Clemson DE/LB Andre Branch

Wes Bunting's April 4th mock draft: Perry

Rob Rang's April 12th mock draft: Perry

Dane Brugler's April 12th mock draft: Penn State DL Devon Still

And if Perry wasn't off the mock draft board by the time the Packers were on the clock, I bet McShay and Brugler would have Perry going to the Packers too. With Perry and Clay Matthews both having roots back to USC, I can see why that connection is made. But it really comes down to the fact that Perry is usually the best pass rusher available at the end of the 1st round.

There is some concern that Perry may want to remain on the defensive line, but he's almost the exact same size as Anthony Hargrove, who the Packers recently signed as a free agent. If Hargrove could have a role on the Packers defense, then it makes sense that Perry could fill a role too. Even if it's not as a traditional outside linebacker.

But I still have a sweet spot for Devon Still. He's been falling down draft boards because of a weak combine workout and a deep draft class at defensive tackle, but a turf toe injury may be holding him back. Otherwise, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is a perfect Cullen Jenkins replacement. At 6-5 and 303 lbs. he's a true 3-4 defensive lineman, and he can rush the passer. Maybe he's not a true 1st round talent and better suited as an early 2nd round pick, but on paper he looks like a better fit than Perry. I know where he'd play for the Packers, while I'm not sure what role Perry would fill.