Green Bay Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson issued the same old spiel about taking the “the best player available” but clearly the Packers’ GM drafted for need this year. Unless his picks were just a huge coincidence.
The Packers biggest needs according to most pundits were inside linebacker and defensive line. I included offensive line and wide receiver in that mix. While the Packers’ 2016 draft did not produce any splash picks, it did address needs at all of those positions.
While the Packers’ picks aren’t likely to change the Packers’ odds of winning the Super Bowl at any sportsbooks, they certainly could make the Packers’ a better team this year. In fact, with the combination of need and pick, this could end up being one of Thompson’s best drafts.
I think Kenny Clark has a real good chance of starting from day one, and if not, will be an immediate contributing member of the defensive line rotation. The Packers also added defensive end Dean Lowry out of Northwestern and have high hopes for second-year man Christian Ringo, so hopefully the defensive line is now good to go.
The Packers’ other perceived need was inside linebacker. Curiously they picked outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell out of Utah State in the third round. They did address the need at inside linebacker by taking Blake Martinez out of Stanford in round four. And from what I have now seen about Martinez, I love the guy. 142 tackles last year is nuts. He will definitely put the pressure on returning guys Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan.
As you know I was begging for offensive lineman and the Packers nabbed two of them, one they actually moved up for. I saw a lot of mixed reactions to Thompson giving up a fourth and seventh round pick to move up to take Jason Spriggs, but I applaud Thompson here. If you want the guy and have the roster and the ammunition to go get the guy you really want, do it. No regrets.
The addition of tackle Kyle Murphy from Stanford in the sixth round adds another level of competition to the offensive line, which has to improve this year for the Packers’ offense to get back to its high octane level. When injuries hit last year it was pitiful how bad the reserves played.
This draft class won’t draw much attention, which is nice, so not a ton of pressure on any of them. My favorite is Martinez. They say he has the same skill set as Clay Matthews, so if he can do inside what Matthews did there the last two years, the Packers will be in great shape. Did I mention dude had a 142 tackles last year?
As much as I rip Thompson, I have to admit I pretty much like every pick this year. Only Fackrell makes me wonder. Maybe Thompson’s swang song? If so, he might go out on a high note.