Building The 53 - 2013 NFL Draft Day 2 Preview for Ted Thompson

With the first round in the books, let's turn our sights to the second and third rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.  There are some guys leftover from the first round that I had my eye on for the Packers so it goes without saying that I would fully support the Packers taking: John Jenkins (DT, Georgia), Menelik Watson (OT, Florida State), Kawann Short (DT, Purdue), Eddy Lacy (RB, Alabama), Jonathan Cyprien (S, Florida International), Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama), or Jonathan Hankins (DT, Ohio State) on Day 2 of the draft.  Besides the guys just mentioned, here are five other players I like for the Packers in the second round:

Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford, 6'5", 249 lbs): The Packers let tight end Tom Crabtree leave via free agency and the same thing might happen next season for tight end Jermicahel Finley since this is the last year he is under contract.  Thus adding an athletic tight end like Ertz fills a need more than being a luxury pick at this point.

Montee Ball (RB, Wisconsin, 5'10", 214 lbs): Although Ball does not have blazing speed, he catches the ball well out of the backfield, protects the ball, and most importantly has the ability to make a quick cut and accelerate through the hole.  All the aforementioned characteristics makes Ball the perfect three-down running back for the zone blocking scheme that the Packers currently use. If that wasn't enough, Ball is one of the most successful college athletes in Cheesehead sports history so I think he should build on that impressive resume in Cheesehead country as a member of the Packers.

Damontre Moore (OLB, Texas A&M, 6'4", 250 lbs): Despite drafting Nick Perry in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Packers need to still consider taking another outside linebacker because Perry is till rehabbing a season ending injury.  Moore's height makes him a nice option at outside linebacker or even defensive end down the road if he adds some weight.

Margus Hunt (DE, SMU, 6'8", 277 lbs): Despite the fact that the Packers already drafted Datone Jones in the first round, the freakish frame and skill set that Hunt possesses would be too hard to pass up if he is still on the board when the Packers pick at the end of the second round.

D.J. Swearinger (S, South Carolina, 5'10", 208 lbs): Although Swearinger is not the tallest guy, he makes up for it by throwing his body around the field with reckless abandon, which would be the perfect compliment opposite safety Morgan Burnett.

Much like I said above about the guys that I targeted in the first round for the Packers, it goes without saying that any of the guys mentioned would be great picks for the Packers in the third round if they fall that far in the draft.  Here are some other guys that I think the Packers target in the third round:

Terron Armstead (OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6'5", 306 lbs): Put together an impressive combine performance to work his way into consideration to be drafted on the second day of the draft.  Armstead better use his long arms (34") effectively though because he has Daunte Culpepper-esque small hands (9 1/4").

Brian Schwenke (C, California, 6'3", 314 lbs): I look at drafting Schwenke as Evan Dietrich-Smith insurance.  The Packers gave EDS a lower than expected restricted free agent tender.  It is too soon to tell whether that will create a rift between EDS and the Packers so it makes sense to add a potential franchise center via the draft.

Wide receiver that falls: I think there will be a run on wide receivers in the second round since only three were drafted in the first round but if a few of the higher rated guys like Robert Woods (USC), Kennan Allen (Cal), or Aaron Dobson (Marshall) somehow fall into the third round then I support the Packers making a complete luxury pick of a wide receiver in the third round.

Barrett Jones (OG, Alabama, 6'4", 306 lbs): The Swiss Army Knife of interior offensive lineman looks and plays the part.  I am not sure how an integral member of three national championship teams at Alabama does not garner more interest in the draft so getting Jones at the end of the third round feels like an absolute steal.

Tyrann Mathieu (CB, LSU, 5'9", 186 lbs): Speaking of steals, all the off the field silliness really submarined the Honeybadger's draft stock since two years ago he was a Heisman Finalist and now he is fighting to be a Day 2 draft pick. Although the Packers are set at cornerback, adding a hybrid cornerback/safety like Mathieu is the perfect guy to step into the Charles Woodson role on the defense in 2013.  Plus I don't see Mathieu getting in as much trouble in Green Bay since there is next to nothing to do in Green Bay besides play football. 

Check back after the third round finished for my Day 2 review and Day 3 preview of the 2013 NFL Draft for the Packers.  Also make sure to follow me on Twitter @CheeseheadSN if you want more timely updates as the draft unfolds.  Finally, make sure to check back Sunday for my annual review of each pick the Packers made in the 2013 NFL Draft.