I thought I'd do a quick review of our draft picks as we head towards the regular season. Apologies if this is in the wrong section, but no-one has been in the Draft forum for months, and with all the debate about the 53 man roster I thought this could be an interesting dicussion in the main forum.
Bryan Bulaga - Solid pick, looks the heir apparent to Chad Clifton. Although he lost the LG competition with Colledge, I'm happy to see him as the back-up LT, especially after last years debacle with Colledge/Lang playing there. He's probably the first guy off the bench if Clifton, Sitton or Colledge get injured or under-perform.
Mike Neal - Despite being picked in the second round, many considered this selection a reach. However, I think Neal has exceeded expectations. He's ahead of holdovers Justin Harrell and Jarius Wynn (and fellow 2010 draftee C.J. Wilson) on the depth chart, and looks to be the first man off the bench in the D-line rotation.
Morgan Burnett - Burnett will be the Packers starting safety for at least the first seven weeks of the season with Bigby looking to be headed towards the PUP list. Burnett may have won the job anyway with his pre-season performances. Impressive pick in the third round.
Andrew Quarless - High upside pick, great receiver, adequate blocker. Looks like he will make the roster after a good preseason game against the Colts. Quarless likely needs a year to sit, and I think he'll get that opportunity with the Packers likely to keep four tight ends. His upside could see him become a Jermichael Finley type threat.
Marshall Newhouse - May sneak on the roster ahead of Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini who have surely come to the end of the line in GB. Touted as the most improved player since the start of training camp.
James Starks - Hasn't played a game of football in nearly two years. High upside, high risk pick, but it came in the sixth round. He looks headed for the PUP list or IR rather than an outright release. If healthy he'd likely have been the third running back, with Quinn Porter and Kregg Lumpkin failing to impress.
C.J. Wilson - Looked impressive in shorts, hasn't translated to padded practice. He's in an uphill battle with Jarius Wynn for the last roster spot. Possible practice squad candidate.
Undrafted Free AgentsIt's also worth mentioning a few impressive UFAs which the Packers signed after the 2010 draft:
Sam Shields - Looks like a lock to make the roster and is amazingly competing for the nickel CB job, with Harris still on the sidelines. He's been very impressive as a CB.
Frank Zombo - Again looks likely to make the roster. Has been impressive in the pre-season but will likely see little action in the regular season once Clay Matthews and Brad Jones are healthy.
Quinn Porter - May make the roster by default as the Packers have little depth at RB. At this point I'd take him over Lumpkin, but Porter needs to stay healthy.
Conclusions:In short this has been a very impressive draft for the Packers. With five out of seven draft picks likely to make the roster (and Starks being kept around on PUP/IR). Perhaps even more impressively the Packers look certain to keep two undrafted free agents (if not three if Porter makes it).
Burnett has emerged as a starter. Neal, Bulaga and Shields all look likely to be the first reserve at their respective positions. The Packers hit massively with their first three picks of the 2010 draft, and found some useful depth/high upside types in the later rounds and amongst the undrafted free agents.