Congratulations to the seven new Green Bay Packers taken in the 2010 NFL Draft! Today is truly a Sunday Funday for these seven men and their families:
1st Round (23rd Overall): Bryan Bulaga, Offensive Tackle
School: Iowa (Big Ten)
Height: 6'5⅜"
Weight: 314 lbs
Arm Length: 33.3"
Hand Size: 9.3"
Analysis: There were a couple of guys that I liked more at 23, most notably my draft crush Jerry Hughes, but most national pundits had Bulaga going in the first 15 picks so he was a good value at 23. The Packers need a tackle of future so it makes sense that they took a tackle in the first round. There is some disagreement about whether Bulaga projects as a left or right tackle in the NFL. The knock on Bulaga is that he has short arms, small hands, and has persistent health issues. Based on Bulaga's draft position alone there is a good chance Bulaga is starting at left or right tackle in Week #1 of 2011. For the Packers' sake, let's hope Bulaga has a more successful career than Robert Gallery, another highly touted left tackle out of Iowa.
2nd Round (56th Overall): Michael Neal, Defensive End
School: Purdue (Big Ten)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 294 lbs
Arm Length: 33.4"
Hand Size: 10.25"
Analysis: This was the surprise pick of the draft for me. With all of the unrest along the defensive line (Jenkins scheduled to become a free agent after the 2010 season, Jolly facing legal troubles, and Harrell being injured his entire Packer career) I understand why the Packers added a defensive lineman, I just didn't think they would use such a high pick on Neal. I hope I am wrong but the minute the pick was announced I thought of Justin Harrell...oh dang.
3rd Round (71st Overall): Morgan Burnett, Safety
School: Georgia Tech (ACC - Coastal)
Height: 6'1⅜"
Weight: 209 lbs
Arm Length: 31.6"
Hand Size: 9.0"
Analysis: Burnett has all the physical tools to excel as a safety in the NFL. I don't like that the Packers had to give up a 4th round pick to move up in the 3rd round to select Burnett but it was probably a wise move because most of the teams ahead of the Packers had safety issues. Burnett will challenge Atari Bigby for the starting safety spot opposite Nick Collins and gives the Packers quality depth at safety, something they lacked the last few seasons. Burnett was my favorite pick of the draft.
5th Round (154th Overall): Andrew Quarless, Tight End
School: Penn St.(Big Ten)
Height: 6'4⅜"
Weight: 254 lbs
Arm Length: 34.0"
Hand Size: 10.25"
Analysis: I support Ted Thompson's approach of drafting the best player available but it seems like he modified that approach in drafting Andrew Quarless. While Quarless might have been the most talented player on the Packers draft board, he had some off the field issues a few years ago. I understand that the Packers think Quarless is past those off the field issues but Ted Thompson does not usually bring in guys like that. With Quarless on the roster there will be a fierce competition for Jermichael Finley's back-up. I predict either Donald Lee or Spencer Havner's days are numbered in Green Bay based on the Quarless pick.
5th Round (169th Overall): Marshall Newhouse, Offensive Guard
School: TCU (Mountain West Conference)
Height: 6'3¾"
Weight: 319 lbs
Arm Length: 34.0"
Hand Size: 10.25"
Analysis: Ted Thompson has limited success picking tweener offensive lineman...think Daryn Colledge. Newhouse projects better at guard than tackle in the pros. Newhouse will have to beat out Evan Dietrich-Smith to gain a spot on the Packers' 53-man roster. The only real positive thing I take from this pick is that Newhouse practiced everyday against my draft crush Jerry Hughes in college...hopefully that prepared Newhouse to excel in the NFL.
6th Round (193rd Overall): James Starks, Running Back
School: Buffalo (MAC)
Height: 6'2⅛"
Weight: 218 lbs
Arm Length: 33.6"
Hand Size: 9.5:
Analysis: As odd as it sounds sometimes a running back can be too tall because then they run too upright which makes them easy to tackle. At 6'2⅛", Starks is too tall for my liking. Plus, Starks didn't even play last year because of injury. With all that said, Starks is Buffalo's all-time leading rusher so he has to be doing something right. Starks will battle Kregg Lumpkin for the 3rd running back spot on the Packers' 53-man roster. Starks is a developmental project that has to contribute on specials teams otherwise he will be looking for employment outside of Green Bay.
7th Round (230th Overall): C.J. Wilson, Defensive End
School: East Carolina (Conference USA)
Height: 6'2⅞"
Weight: 290 lbs
Arm Length: 33.1"
Hand Size: 10.0"
Analysis: Mr. Irrelevant of the Packers' was a quality pass rusher in college but the only problem is that Wilson was going against Conference USA competition which is one of the weaker college football conferences. Wilson is a long shot to make the roster unless Jolly is suspended (good chance) and Harrell gets hurt again (a virtual lock).
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