2013 Draft Digest Vol. 2

Underwear Olympics! Every Tuesday between now and the NFL Draft, we'll take a look around the Internet at what some of the experts are saying about the Packers' first round prospects. Here's what they're saying this week.

WalterFootball.com - compiled by Charlie Campbell

  • Jonathan Cooper - G - North Carolina
  • Analysis: The Packers have to improve their offensive line in front of Aaron Rodgers. Cooper could be their long-term guard or center.The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder was an excellent blocker for running back Giovani Bernard in 2011. Bernard had a tremendous redshirt freshman season with 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cooper is a good athlete who also is strong at the point of attack. He projects to being a quality interior pass-protector. Cooper once again did a superb job of blocking for Bernard this year.Cooper could be a candidate to move to center in the NFL. Given his size and his elite athleticism, a shift over could easily be his best move for the pros.
  • Last week: Keenan Allen - WR - California

CBSSports.com (two mock drafts)

  • D.J. Fluker - OT - Alabama (predicted by Rob Rang) (last week - D.J. Fluker - OT - Alabama)
  • Arthur Brown - OLB - Kansas State (predicted by Dane Bugler) (last week - Alec Ogletree - ILB Georgia)

NFL.com (compiled by Josh Norris)

  • Jesse Williams - DT - Alabama
  • Analysis: This pick isn't to replace B.J. Raji, but rather to find an heir apparent to Ryan Pickett. Edge pass-rushing help would be nice, but without a realistic option here, Williams offers strength in the middle and flashes penetration by putting his opposition on skates.

SportingNews.com (compiled by Vinnie Iyer)

  • D.J. Fluker - OT - Alabama
  • Analysis: The Packers can go in many directions on either side of the ball, but offensive line is still a considerable need. Fluker provides the best option at right tackle late in the first round.

FFToolbox.com (compiled by Matt De Lima)

  • Blidi Wreh-Wilson - CB - Connecticut
  • Green Bay recently parted ways with future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson so this may be a reactionary pick for them. They do have some young depth at the position with Davon House and Casey Hayward brought in during the last two drafts.

DraftTek.com

  • Jonathan Jenkins - DT - Georgia (predicted by Al Bracco)
  • Analysis: The Packers' rush defense was right in the middle of the pack (no pun intended) in the 2012 NFL rankings. That's actually a marked improvement over 2011 when they were last in the league in rushing yards allowed. So why does everyone seem to think they need so much help in that department? Two words: Adrian Peterson. The real issue they had with Peterson, however, was lack of contain on the edge, not the interior line. Having said all of that, Ryan Pickett and BJ Raji are in the last years of their contracts. Despite his massive size, Jenkins is athletic enough to play any DL position for the Packers, who like to move their DL around and play mostly in nickel, anyway. Playing at NT for the Bulldogs in 2012, Jenkins was in on 50 tackles, with 11 TFL, 1 sack, and most surprisingly, 10 QB hurries despite routinely drawing double-teams inside. While the Packers are known to be looking for a traditional 3-4DE with more length than their current players, there aren't many worthy of a first round pick and Jenkins presents an excellent value here for the Packers.
Jon Meerdink