28. RLB Nick Perry A

Rush linebacker was arguably the Packers’ biggest need after they managed just 29 sacks last year. Nick Perry is a great value at this point as part of a strong pass rushing class and will immediately help take the pressure off of Clay Matthews, who had no help last year.

51. 3-4 DE Jerel Worthy A

Another defensive player for the 2^nd worst yardage defense of all time. Defensive end was a major need for them, especially with Mike Neal getting suspended and possibly being cut. Worthy is an excellent fit at this point. Great job by them moving up to get him.

62. CB Casey Hayward A

I thought Casey Hayward was one of the more underrated players of this draft class. It seems like the Packers thought so too as not a lot of people had him in the 2^nd round. I guess great minds think alike. They moved up again to get him, a fine move considering all the late round picks they had to start out with. They also didn’t give up a lot at all to move all the way up here (a 5^th round pick, which they got back later for a 6th and 2 7ths). It sounds like Charles Woodson is moving to safety, but even if he doesn’t, it’s not like he’s young so Hayward is going to play and probably fast. He’ll probably be in the mix at corner as a rookie with Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.

132. 3-4 DE Mike Daniels C-

I hate to criticize Ted Thompson, but this pick doesn’t make a lot of sense. Daniels was a 7^th round prospect in my book and doesn’t fit a 3-4 at all. He’s too small to play nose tackle and too short to play end. He could be a situational player at tackle I guess, but this pick could have been better spent.

133. S Jeron McMillian C

Another pick I didn’t get. Safety was a need, but I had McMillian outside of my top 250.

163. MLB Terrell Manning A

Another underrated player for the Packers. I had a 3^rd round grade on Manning. He’s a better fit in a 4-3, but he provides depth in a 3-4 at middle linebacker and he was too good to pass on. He could also play special teams immediately.

241. OT Andrew Datko A

This could also be a great steal. Datko was a 2^nd round prospect before he got hurt so he was definitely worth the risk down here for a Packers team that needs offensive tackle depth after cutting Chad Clifton.

243. QB BJ Coleman A

Coleman is a mess of a prospect, but he’s got great upside. He’s worth a shot for the Packers here in the 7^th round as a developmental 3^rd quarterback. Hopefully they’re fine with Graham Harrell as their #2.

This was a fantastic draft for the Packers. They got 3 of my top 40 prospects, all at positions of needs. They ripped the Patriots off in a trade up for Hayward, an underrated prospect. They traded up to get Worthy, a smart move because he was a slipping prospect and might not have slipped all the way down to their original spot.

Daniels and McMillian weren’t great picks in the 4^th and 5^th round, but they made up for that by getting Terrell Manning and Andrew Datko, very good values. BJ Coleman was also a nice pick. It’s no surprise the Packers are annual contenders. They should continue that next year after rebuilding their defense through the draft with 3 solid starters who can play immediately and for the future. Manning and Datko could end up as starters down the line someday, depending on what happens.

Grade: A