Bulaga Perhaps Clifton's Heir Apparent At LT

[News Bot]

There weren't many mock drafts that had Iowa left tackle Bryan Bulaga falling to the Green Bay Packers at the 23rd overall pick in the first round.

But when the 6-foot-5, 314-pounder with almost the prototypical body for the position was sitting there when General Manager Ted Thompson was on the clock, the potential heir apparent to veteran Chad Clifton as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blindside protector was too good to pass up, even with some quality pass rushers and cornerbacks also there for the taking.

"We were a little surprised that Bryan was still available, and we felt like it was a very good value pick for us," Thompson said. "He's the real deal, I think."

Even though Thompson doesn't draft for need, it was clear with tackles Clifton and Mark Tauscher both entering their 11th seasons in 2010 that future considerations there would be in play during this draft. Last year's fourth-round pick, T.J. Lang, might eventually become Tauscher's successor, and ..

Source: Packers.com