Everybody knew that the Packers were going to go heavy on defensive picks in this upcoming draft, and they did not disappoint. The Packers drafted only two offensive player in this years draft and have made it clear they want to fix the issues they had on defense last year. What follows is a short bio on each player drafted in the two days.
Pick #51 – Jerel Worthy – Defensive End, Michigan State
I watched this guy play his final years at Michigan State when watching Big 10 football and I think the Packers made a great pick by drafting this guy. He is a big strong defender who is also very quick for a guy his size. He will be great at bringing pressure on the quarterback but will also be able to help stop the run, he is a great dual threat defender. He could make a big impact right away for the Packers.
Pick #62 – Casey Hayward – Cornerback, Vanderbilt
I don’t know much about Hayward but after reading up on him he sounds like a great pick. Being from Vanderbilt you know he’s got to be a smart guy and the Packers brass thought as much. They really liked his intelligence on the field and his ability to read routes and come up and make tackles. He credits his success to watching lots of film and if he keeps that up he should do just fine in the NFL.
Pick #132 – Mike Daniels – Defensive Tackle, Iowa
Another Big 10 guy and another defensive player. He is a little undersized for his postion but that has not stopped him from succeeding so far in his life. He posted great numbers for his senior year at Iowa, (9 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss) and the Packers were impressed with his hustle, he never gives up. This is exactly what you need with a guy who is undersized, you need a guy who just won’t give up. He did have an injured shoulder, which he played with in his bowl game, but said he was medically cleared two weeks ago, so it shouldn’t be a problem. He sounds like he will be another great addition to the team.
Pick #133 – Jerron McMillian – Safety, Maine
The Packers really like this guys ability to tackle and it is a much needed tool that the Packers defense could use. The Packers liked his aggressiveness on film and were impressed with his draft combine workout. The Packers brass believe that his aggressiveness and ability to finish tackles will make him a very valuable tool for the Packers defense.
Pick #163 – Terrell Manning – Linebacker, North Carolina State
Manning will be valuable in the Packers pass rush in the 3-4 defense. Manning said in a press release after being drafted that he believed he was better than some of the other linebackers drafted in front of him and that he is looking to prove that he is better than those other players. He should fit right in and will be battling for a spot in the Packers linebacking core but the Packers staff feel confident he will fit well with that group. He sounds like a young confident guy and confidence goes a long way in this league. He may not play right away but he will push the other linebackers to play their best because he will be waiting for his turn to show people what he’s got.
Pick #241 – Andrew Datko – Tackle, Florida State
A string of shoulder injuries has plagued Andrew Datko through his college career but he didn’t let that stop him from throwing his name in for draft day and he was rewarded when taken by the Packers. While he may be buried in the depth chart behind the Packers other tackles the Packers clearly see something in this young man to make him the first offensive player they took in the draft. The Packers staff believe he would have been taken earlier had it not been for his injuries but the Packers don’t see that as a big limit to his potential. They believe he can do some good for the team.
Pick #243 – B.J. Coleman – Quarterback, Tennessee-Chattanooga
The Packers final draft pick oddly enough was a quarterback but Coleman could push himself up the depth chart pretty quick. The Packers quarterback core is a little up for grabs behind Rodgers since Flynn went to Seattle. Coleman knows McCarthy’s ability to work with young quarterbacks and he even spent some time with Brett Favre working on some things (they share the same agent.) While nothing big will be expected of him early on that didn’t stop Coleman from being overly excited for the opportunity. It will be interesting to see what happens to this young man.
Overall it was a great draft for the Packers. They knew what they needed and went after it. Most of these picks were traded up for by Ted Thompson because he believed these players were special and knew he had to have them. While they won’t all make an impact right away it seems the Packers have acquired some good young players who are ready to make an impact for this team. It will be exciting to see how these players pan out. The Packers weren’t messing around this draft and hopefully that mentality carries over into the season.
About Jacob DaczykA University of Minnesota college student studying journalism and sports management. Green Bay Packers correspondent for isportsweb. Major Milwaukee Brewers fan and a fan of baseball in general in combination of a major passion for all sports. Random fact: I only wear Converse shoes.