Reaction: Packers draft Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in NFL Draft's first round

In case you don't already know, the Packers somewhat surprised us in last night's First Round, drafting Alabama Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with the 21st Overall Pick. Going into the round, most mock drafts had the Pack selecting either Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert or Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier, but since those two end up being taken 8th and 15th respectively Green Bay obviously had to choose someone else. 

Anyway, in his three years in Tuscaloosa, Clinton-Dix had a reputation for blowing up box scores, recording a combined 99 tackles and 7 interceptions. Most of those numbers, unsurprisingly, came for the Crimson Tide last season, in which Clinton-Dix collected 51 of those 99 takedowns and 2 of those 7 takeaways. 

Despite those intriguing stats, I still think it's safe to conclude that this guy, though clearly athletic, won't really dominant any games for the Pack anytime soon. In my opinion, he'll still contribute and wind up being a good selection, but due to the increased talent of the NFL he simply won't become what Shazier and Gilbert appear to be capable of: game changers.

In other news, North Carolina TE Eric Ebron, the prospect we Packers fans really wanted to succeed Jermichael Finley, was taken 10th overall by the Lions last night, a move not really surprising but still genuinely upsetting for obvious reasons.

Packers take Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert 21st overall in latest ESPN Mock Draft

So far this offseason, plenty of names have been thrown around as possible Packers first round picks, but according to ESPN.com's NFL experts, the Pack Beat Writer Rob Demovsky included, we'll be surprised when tonight comes around. Because, in their opinion, the 21st player taken in this year's draft won't be Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier or North Carolina TE Eric Ebron, but instead will be underrated CB Justin Gilbert, a four-year Oklahoma State star.

In his college career, Gilbert's numbers, though not necessarily as impressive as Shazier's, were pretty good, as the Huntsville, Texas native collected a combined 182 Tackles and 15 Interceptions. If you like math, that's an average of 45.5 takedowns a year, a stat that likely won't translate to the pros yet is still definitely impressive. 

Now if the Packers do end up taking Gilbert with their first pick I won't necessarily be ecstatic(I'm keeping my fingers crossed when it comes to Eric Ebron), but I don't think I'll get too down either. This guy clearly has a lot of talent, so if he ends up being available after Shazier and Ebron have been taken I'd have no problem seeing him get called to the stage.

2014 NFL Draft: Grading The Linebackers

The one position where the Green Bay Packers really need an upgrade is at inside linebacker. My main concern is that whoever they might draft in the 1st round wouldn't actually get a chance to unseat A.J. Hawk. While he's been lousy over the past three seasons, the coaches seem to have a soft spot for his leadership. I'm still a Brad Jones fan, he should be given a chance to return from an injury plagued 2013 season, and I'm looking at a replacement for Hawk.

Alabama's C.J. Mosley is slipping on draft boards but he's still seen as a good fit for the Packers. There's a lot to like about Mosley, but I love Ryan Shazier's speed. He's a little undersized for an inside linebacker on a 3-4 defense, but if the Packers can live with the recently re-signed Jamari Lattimore on the inside, they can make it work for Shazier. Though it's not an apples-to-apples comparison; the coaches don't appear to be giving Lattimore even the chance to start.

My dream is that North Carolina TE Eric Ebron somehow slides down to No. 21 and gives them a big boost to a depleted position. Assuming that doesn't happen, adding the speed of Shazier into the heart of the defense is a close second on my wish list.

Getting to know the Packers possible 1st Round Picks: Calvin Pryor

Like Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier, Junior Louisville Safety Calvin Pryor, another possible Packers 1st Round Pick, is a guy who just likely won't go to Green Bay. In his 3 college years with the Cardinals, Pryor was pretty good, committing 137 Tackles and 7 Interceptions, but since the Pack just recently made last year's return man Micah Hyde their every-down Safety them drafting another one just would be kinda weird right now. Not because Pyror is bad by any means, but simply because there's no room for him currently available. The team appears to already have that spot filled.

Getting to know the Packers possible 1st Round Picks: Ryan Shazier

Since some of the many mock drafts done recently by experts have him going to the Packers in the first round, I guess some research on Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier would be worthwhile. Apparently Shazier, who led the Big Ten with 134 Tackles last season, is pretty good, recording a 10"10 on the Broad Jump, a 42" on the Vertical Jump, and a 6.91 on the 3-Cone in his recent appearance at the combines. Nothing mind-blowing, but definitely something impressive. I know it sounds cliché, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Pack draft this guy. He seems to have a lot of talent.