Is anyone else pumped about the NFL Draft tonight?  I like seeing what months of preparation turns into for all teams, what each team values (offense vs. defense, needs vs. best overall), and what the next season is going to look like.

But most of all, I can't wait to see how this year's draft turns out for Green Bay.  Obviously, it's going to be good, the only question is how good, as Ted Thompson is a draft master.

And after each day, I'll try to get some draft grades up for all 32 teams.

Go Pack Go!

I see your Packers got Free Safety Damarious Randall today. I honestly didn't think that guy would be drafted today, but they definitely can use all the help they can get on defense, so I think they made a good pick.

When it came to today though, I was looking forward to seeing who my Bengals would pick. They got OT Cedric Ogbuehi. I think it was a good pick, even though it would've been nice to get some more help on the defensive line. I guess they can find a good player later on in the draft though. Overall, I think both our favorite teams did well today.

Yeah, I don't know a lot about  Damarious Randall but that is definitely a need for the Pack. It's tough to draft sometimes when you have the best team in football. Depth is always key in the NFL though.

I want to do a quick recap & analysis of the first round, so here it goes:

1. Bucs – Winston: As suspected, a boom or bust pick at #1. Off the field issues will prove him to be a bust.

2. Titans – Mariota: The safer pick of the two quarterback, but it may have been smarter to shop the pick. It sounded like
they could’ve gotten 4 picks from Philly

3. Jags – Fowler: Decent pick, they obviously needed a pass rusher; now they just need an offense

4. Raiders – Cooper: Great pick, now the Raiders will see what kind of a QB Carr is. They should be able to win some
games with a true playmaker on offense. Now perhaps a RB/TE to compliment Cooper.

5. Redskins – Scherff: Clearly they still think Griffin could be their QB, and if so, they better protect him.

6. Jets – Williams: Could easily end up being the best pick of the draft, and with all the offensive players they added in
the offseason, it’s good to see them giving the defense some attention.

7. Bears – White: Since they had to basically give Marshall away due to his outrageous salary, they needed another
receiver to compliment Jeffrey. That being said, they had two big receivers and didn’t do anything with them last year, so I don’t know why Bears fans should expect anything different.

8. Falcons – Beasley: Never a problem to take a top pass rusher in the first round

9. Giants – Flowers: A good tackle is a good building block, but the Giants are so far off from a competitive team

10. Rams – Gurley: Good RB with a high ceiling, but injuries this past season put a little bit of a question mark
on him (maybe Gordon would have been a better pick)

11. Vikings – Waynes: Another team that needed a lot of help on both sides of the ball, a solid DB is a good pick for
the Vikings

12. Browns – Shelton: A big body who can definitely help Cleveland’s run defense, as long as he can make weight

13. Peat – Saints: I have no problem with beefing up a needy offensive line, and Peat is a 6-7 monster with all the
physical tools

14. Parker – Dolphins: In a make or break year for Tannehill, the Fins pick up a big offensive weapon to help them
determine if Tannehill will stay for the long haul

15. Chargers – Gordon: Love the pick, but were they that concerned the Texans or 49ers would draft him that they needed
to give up two additional picks just to move up two spots? That being said I think Gordon is the best RB in the draft

16. Texans – Johnson: A very good defensive back to help an awful secondary, good pick

17. 49ers – Armstead: Another 6-7 lineman with great physical tools, but he needs to work to get better instead of just
relying on his natural ability in order to make it in the pros

18. Chiefs – Peters: Never a big fan of off-the-field issues, got dismissed from his team last year what are the odds
he makes it in the NFL

19. Browns – Erving: Great pick, I think Erving’s tape is great – he manhandles everyone, and every team loves a guy who
can create open lanes in the middle…now if only they could decide on a RB

20. Eagles – Agholor: He seems like a natural fit for Philly’s offense, I think he’ll see a lot of action his rookie season

21. Bengals – Ogbuehi: While I think an OT is a good pick, I tend to shy away from players with injury issues (especially
significant injuries like an ACL), so I think Humphries might have been the safer pick; also he didn’t have as good of a season as the year before

22. Steelers – Dupree: Big, athletic LB…classic Steelers pick, and I think he’s going to play well in that defense

23. Broncos – Ray: Foot injury and marijuana possession, although the latter might make him a natural fit in
Denver, I think the Broncos should try and draft someone who can stay on the field for their defense

24. Cardinals – Humphries: Good pick, I think he will end up being a decent starting tackle in the NFL

25. Panthers – Thompson: We’ll see where Carolina decides to use him, he plays more like a Safety, but he wants to be a
LB even though he’s a little undersized. Carolina has a bigger need at S and would probably prefer to use him there.

26. Ravens – Perriman: They needed someone to replace Torrey Smith, so not surprising that they take a WR. It seems like
he could be a great deep threat with his speed.

27. Cowboys – Jones: The defense needed help, and specifically the secondary, so I think it’s a good pick

28. Lions – Tomlinson: They traded down and probably got the guy they wanted anyways, so a great move and a great pick as
they need to fill some holes on the OL

29. Colts – Dorsett: This pick seemed to be based on who they thought was the best player left, and not based on position
need. Interesting as he is a small receiver who is going to really need to work to get any playing time

30. Packers – Randall: Another interesting pick, because there 2014 1st rounder was Safety Clinton-Dix who is a stud. I
expected a DB, but I expected a CB, so will they try to move him.  I don’t think he’s perfectly fit for the job of outside corner, but I guess we’ll see. Maybe he’ll make the team as a return man, and slowly transition into CB

31. Saints – Anthony: I think this is a good pick as he’s a good run-stopper in the middle and NO’s defense is
definitely in need of some help in that area

32. Patriots – Brown: A great pick as they needed to replace Vince Wilfork, and I think that Brown can do that. He has
been able to get pressure and disrupt plays throughout his college career, and should be loved in NE.

Just a few of my thoughts, and I’ll also do an overall draft grade, after the draft ends.

Ferdinand : I definitely think we need more help on Defense, I just don't know that Randall is the guy. I was kinda hoping for Eric Rowe out of Utah, who went to the Eagles in the 2nd round. We'll see though - should be a good season.

eclipse9508 : I admit I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to college players. If they're not All-Big Ten, I don't pay attention really until they turn pro. I'm glad Gordon went to San Diego though. I would have hated to root against the guy.

Ferdinand : Ya I know, I'd hate to root against him, because I want all Badgers to do well, but I don't think I can cheer for him when the Chargers play the Pack in October. I might just have to get tickets to that game.

Well, it seems the discussion here has died down, so I'm going to close this thread after this post. I just want to say that I personally think the Lions had a good draft, although not perfect by any stretch. The guard we picked in round one may have been too early, and I don't know how the running back selection will turn out, but I like these picks a heck of a lot more than the first round tight end pick from last year.

~Closed~