Ted Thompson can spin it as coincidence if he wants, but the Packers clearly were addressing needs in the first two days of the 2014 draft. By taking a wide receiver, defensive tackle and tight end in day two the Packers addressed three more needs.
To go with yesterday’s selection of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix the Packers added WR Davante Adams in the second round to replace James Jones. In the third round they took defensive tackle Khyri Thornton to help shore up a remade defensive line and provide insurance should B.J. Raji leave after the season. With their second pick in the third round the Packers took tight end Richard Rodgers to replace Jermichael Finley.
Never mind that NFL.com had Thornton and Rodgers projected as fifth or sixth round picks, the Packers needed help at specific positions and they feel they got it yesterday. Adams was projected to go in the second round after a huge year last year in which he caught 131 balls from Derek Carr at Fresno State.
Of the first four picks I believe Clinton-Dix is the only for sure starter. Adams will get his opportunities and will definitely contribute as the fourth receiver behind Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin.
Hopefully Thornton can get in the defensive line rotation and do what recent draft picks Jerel Worthy and Datone Jones didn’t do and provide an immediate impact. Certainly Rodgers will have an opportunity to earn a starting job at tight end but I personally think Andrew Quarless will be hard to beat out this year.
The Packers have five more picks today and I think they will find another safety for insurance and probably a developmental quarterback. So far so good.