Green Bay Packers - NFC North, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects
Green Bay
Packers
The Draft Was
... A complete restructuring of the passing game. Two things
to take from this draft. 1) The Pack doesn't fully believe in
Aaron Rodgers and 2) the team believes No. 4 made the receivers
better than they actually are. Receiver wasn't supposed to be a
need pick, and then Jordy Nelson was taken in the second round,
TE Jermichael Finley in the third, and Brett Swain in a seventh
round flier. Brian Brohm is ready to play now, while Matt Flynn
only adds to the QB derby. Best Value Pick: Brian Brohm, QB Louisville. 2nd round.
There are about ten other teams that'll be kicking itself for
not taking the sliding Cardinal. He was too good a value to pass
up. Biggest Reach: Josh Sitton, OT UCF. 4th round. Scouts
fell in love with his workouts. While he had a good year opening
holes for Kevin Smith, he'll struggle in pass protection. They Should've ... Taken CB Tracy Porter or S Tyrell
Johnson instead of Nelson. The former Kansas State star is good,
but reinforcements for the aging secondary would've helped more
right away. Johnson would've been a steal.
#
Pick
5
36
2nd Round
(from NY Jets)
Jordy Nelson, WR Kansas State
Ultra-productive in his senior year no matter who covered him or
what any defense tried to do, Nelson blew up into an unstoppable
machine any time he touched the ball. While he's not going to
blow past anyone and he's not as physical as his size might
show, but he has functional speed and can separate when needed.
Outside of a serious injury, there's no bust potential
whatsoever. He plays hurt, has nice hands, and can be used in a
variety of ways. He'll have a ten-year career as a complimentary
receiver. If he goes to a team with a star No. 1, he'll be
outstanding. CFN Projection: Second To Third Round
CFN Position Rank: 4
25
56
2nd Round
Brian Brohm, QB Louisville
The brother of former New York Jet Jeff Brohm was groomed to be
a pro passer. He's as NFL ready as any quarterback prospect
having been a star for his entire career. The pressure was on
from day one to produce, and he did. He's not the greatest
athlete and his arm is just average, but he can make the throws
needed. The big issue will be his durability. While he's an
abnormally quick healer, he suffered a few major injuries
throughout his career and can't be counted on for a full 16-game
NFL slate. He took his lumps in a disappointing senior season,
at least for Louisville, and that could be a good thing; he
never quit on his team during a dud year. CFN Projection: Late First Round CFN
Position Rank: 2
29
60
2nd Round
Patrick Lee, CB Auburn
With great speed and excellent size, he looks the part of a
top-flight corner and he's not afraid to play like it both
against the run and when the ball is in the air. He'll do
whatever is needed and is a very willing worker who'll try to do
whatever is needed to help the team. He only started for one
year and he needs time to learn how to be an elite corner, but
it's all there for him if someone is willing to be a little bit
patient. CFN Projection: Second Round to Third Round
CFN Position Rank: 12
28
91
3rd Round
Jermichael Finley, TE Texas
One of the biggest workout disappointments in the entire 2008
class, not just among the tight ends, everyone was waiting to
see the sophomore who had been described at times as an athletic
freak at Texas. He ran a pedestrian 4.62 after starting out the
Combine with some miserable times, and while he certainly isn't
slow, the 6-4, 240-pounder is considered a receiver and not a
tight end. He has good hands and receiving skills and he could
be a dangerous playmaker as his career goes on, but he needs
polish and will be shoved around a bit. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 9
3
102
4th Round
(from the NY Jets)
Jeremy
Thompson, DE/LB Wake Forest
One of the faster ends in the draft, the 6-4, 265-pound former
Demon Deacon has the athleticism and the potential to blossom in
the right system. He's not going to be a top-shelf pass rusher
and there's a big, screaming question mark about his durability,
he has shown enough of a flash to project as a nice starter who
does well as a cog in the system. He'll never be a star, but he
should be a productive starter as long as he can stay healthy.
CFN Projection: Late Second Round to Early
Third Round CFN Position Rank: 7 (as a DE)
36
135
4th Round Josh Sitton, OT/OG UCF While he has excellent size at 6-4 and 322 pounds and can
hit a little bit, he's not nearly quick enough to be a regular
starting tackle. He might be able to move into guard in time.
He's going to get blown away by speed rushers and is limited,
but could be a decent backup if he's not asked to do anything on
the move. CFN Projection: Free Agent
CFN
Position Rank: NR
15
150
5th Round
(from trade)
Breno Giacomini, OT Louisville
The former tight end is a tall (6-7) athletic 305 pounds, but
he's not going to pound anyone on a consistent basks and is
still learning the ins and outs of playing tackle. He was only a
regular starter for a year and is still developing. Even though
he's not a finished product by any stretch he has the upside to
grow into a possible pass protector. CFN Projection: Seventh Round
CFN
Position Rank: 17
2
209
7th Round
(from trade)Matt Flynn, QB LSU
A total gamer who has a great arm and good running skills. He's
a fantastic leader and a winner who'll do whatever it takes to
get a team moving. However, he needs work and he isn't a
consistent NFL-caliber passer. Smart enough to be a career
backup, he'll make a lot of money bouncing around the league for
ten years. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 12
10
217
7th Round
(from trade) Brett Swain, WR San Diego State With a nice combination of size and quickness, the hope is
for Swain to blossom as a pro after a mediocre college career.
He was consistent, but he doesn't do any one thing particularly
well and is a deep, deep flier. While he was the Aztecs' top
receiver last year, Chaz Schillens is the better prospect. CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: NR
