One Opinion :
More picks better for Packers
Friday, 28 April 2006
If Ted Thompson thought getting an answer out of Brett Favre was hard, wait until he sees his next assignment.
All Thompson, the Green Bay Packers' second-year general manager, has to do is acquire quality and quantity in this weekend's NFL draft.
That won't be easy, even for a team that holds the fifth overall pick as the only significant perk from a 4-12 season.
Even with Favre finally deciding to return for a 15th season at quarterback, we still don't know much about how the Packers will look in the fall. Huge holes remain at linebacker and in the offensive line, the defensive line lacks a playmaker, the halfback position is uncertain due to injury and we have no idea if unhappy wide receiver Javon Walker will play for the team again.
Consequently, we have no idea who the Packers will draft with the fifth pick.
About all we have to go on are Thompson's assertions that he will take the best available athlete, even if it's a quarterback.
"Draft decisions," he said, "are based on what's best long-term for the organization."
If that's true, the Packers' path is clear. Like it or not, Thompson is building for the future, which means his strategy should be to stockpile as many picks as he can, especially in a draft rich in second- and third-round talent.
First, Thompson should trade Walker for draft picks.
If the Packers keep Walker, they could have a real mess on their hands. Like Mike McKenzie in 2004, Walker probably will report during the season, cause a distraction and force a quick trade at a time when his trade value is low.
With a weak crop of wide receivers in the draft, Walker's value will never be higher than it is this week. Thompson should get what he can for Walker.
Second, Thompson should strongly consider trading down with the fifth pick.
The way the top of the draft is breaking down, the Packers will have a choice at No. 5 between Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk and one of the following players: Texas quarterback Vince Young, USC quarterback Matt Leinart and Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
Unless they're sure last year's first- round pick, Aaron Rodgers, is a bust, the Packers don't need another quarterback. If they take Ferguson, it would be the equivalent of picking a guard since Ferguson or tackle Mark Tauscher would have to move inside. The fifth pick is simply too high to take a guard.
Hawk would be a solid, safe pick because the Packers desperately need help on defense and he will be an impact player. However, there will be a market for whichever one of the others is there and the Packers would be wise to trade down and acquire draft picks - as long as they don't drop so far that they don't get an impact player.
Oakland (No. 7) and Arizona (10) need quarterbacks and Buffalo (8) needs an offensive tackle, so there could be willing trade partners for the Packers.
Remember, they need quality and quantity in this draft. That's why Hawk would be nice, but Oregon nose tackle Haloti Ngata or Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway plus another second- round pick would be nicer.
Source: Tom Oates - Wisconsin State Journal
