"...a consistent pass rush makes a back four much better. All we have is Clay Matthews and a cloud of dust coming off the edge. (And yes, that means you, Brad Jones) If we just get another edge rusher, we don't need to worry about bolstering our secondary, because QBs will have to rush their throws. Then again..."
"...if we can just keep Aaron Rodgers upright, the air attack has potential to be unstoppable, en route to simply outshooting our opponents and overcoming the defensive deficiencies. We need a quality LT to cover Rodgers' blindside so he can be confident enough to build on his accomplishments to date..."
"...which, by the way, have been awesome. Even with a turnstile-esque offensive line, Rodgers has been incredible. Forget protection, A-Rod is athletic enough to move around and avoid sacks when need be. The real answer is to add another weapon to the rushing/passing game."
"...Forget the draft, our roster is too young anyways. Fire Thompson for neglecting to sign any veterans, and fire McCarthy for having no feel for his team's rhythm."
All of the above theoretical quotes could easily be argued in conjunction with any given scenario in this draft. The point is, the Packers' approach should boil down to being a concept as simple as the one that my good friend, let's call him Cor Cor, joked with me about earlier today- "they should just draft players as good as Rodgers, Woodson, and Finley...get like four or five more guys like that...they'll be fine".
It's so true. Draft the guys you feel are best, they'll find their way into a playmaking role. So with 8 days left until the draft, here are the 8 (somewhat realistic) first round targets I feel are most likely to succeed if they don the Green and Gold, regardless of need.
(Players not under consideration under the assumption they'll be off the board: Bradford, Suh, McCoy, Okung, Berry, T. Williams, D. Williams, Morgan, Kindle, A. Davis, Bulaga, E. Thomas, Haden, Pierre-Paul, Clausen, Gresham)
8. Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson: Once he recovered from a knee injury in time to participate fully at the combine, Sapp shone as the type of athlete that could fill out his frame and be a dominant player on Sundays. Possesses the motor sought in a 3-down DE, but the frame and ability to play outside linebacker.
7. Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU: A quick, powerful, creative pass rusher with the brains and quickness to adjust to life as an OLB in the 3-4. Could have similar career trajectory to Clay Matthews.
6. Taylor Mays, S, USC: Although my infatuation with Mays knows no bounds, his work in coverage scares many scouts. The Packers already have enough defensive backs that get burnt deep by opposing receivers, and while Mays has transcendent straight-line speed for his size, he doesn't have the quick-twitch instincts and fluidity in the hips you look for to provide aerial support against modern-day multiple-receiver sets. Still, you can't ignore the spectacular physical presence he could bring to the table as the type of multi-talented, versatile safety Dom Capers covets.
5. Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame: Tate appears to be headed towards the latter stages of the first round and possibly even into the second, but there's little doubt that he'll be an impact WR in the NFL no matter where he goes. He is a very unique type of player, similar to Steve Smith in that he plays much bigger than his height suggests. Throw in Tate's Percy Harvin-like talents as a versatile backfield/slot/return threat, and you have a truly dangerous prospect.
4. Everson Griffen, DE/OLB, USC: Although he operated in a three-point stance throughout his time at USC, Griffen would be an excellent option opposite former teammate Matthews, squeezing the pocket and providing excellent run support with his extraordinary combination of size, speed, and strength for an edge rusher (6'4", 270, 4.65, 32 reps), and the athleticism to develop into an adequate cover LB in the 3-4.
3. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho: Taking a guard in the first round is about as sexy as Shelden Williams, but sexiness doesn't always imply success. Iupati is as sure a thing as you can get in this draft, with some even going so far as to say he's the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. I'm not one to argue.
2. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: The most explosive player in the 2010 draft, Spiller would be a perfect fit to spell Ryan Grant's bruising style. In the first year or two, he could easily play the role of Reggie Bush as a backfield/slot/return threat, and proved as a senior at Clemson that he could handle the responsibility of a full complement of carries if need be.
1. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State: He's either going to be a colossal bust or an absolute freak; there is no middle ground. He has all sorts of red flags. I'm on record as saying I think he has no better than a coin flip's chance of fulfilling his monstrous potential. Still, I'm of the belief that if he becomes a Packer, there'd be almost no better situation for Dez to fluorish. Bryant would be surrounded by a coaching staff and veteran wide receiver corps that would bring out the most of his ability- the same ability that makes him a top-5 talent in this draft. In the interim, he'd be a superb red zone and return threat, and long term, he might couple with Jennings to form one of the most dangerous intermediate/deep threat tandems in the NFL.
(Honorable Mention: B. Graham, J. Best, D. Thomas, K. Wilson, C. Brown, S. Weatherspoon)
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