Ranking Ted Thompson's Third Round Picks
In a deep enough draft, somebody throwing darts at a draft board could manage to skate by in the first or second rounds.
But in the third round, the real work begins. The Packers have managed to collect plenty of value in the third round. Let’s take a look at some of the best and worst picks.
How Did He Fall So Far?
- Ty Montgomery - 2015
- Morgan Burnett - 2010
- Jermichael Finley - 2008
- James Jones - 2007
Each of these players should probably have been picked at least one round sooner. Morgan Burnett isn’t at the tip-top of the list of best NFL safeties, but he’s close.
Jermichael Finley was a terror when healthy and it’s taken the Packers years to replace him. Jones overcame early career struggles with drops to lead the league in touchdown receptions in 2012, and he returned to Green Bay in 2015 to bail the Packers out of a serious jam at wide receiver.
Montgomery, meanwhile, could be the most versatile Packers running back since Ahman Green, and should only get better as he starts his third season.
Useful But Limited
- Richard Rodgers - 2014
- Jason Spitz - 2006
Richard Rodgers is what he is. If you throw it to him, he will catch it and that’s about it. He’s had his share of enormous plays (the Hail Mary in Detroit, two huge playoff touchdowns), but he disappears for far too long due to his physical limitations.
Spitz was a useful lineman, but he was acquired when the Packers were still trying to shore up the line after the departure of Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. As soon as there were better options available, he was gone.
At Their Best In Green Bay
- Alex Green - 2011
- Aaron Rouse - 2007
Neither Green or Rouse ever made a huge impact for the Packers, but they didn’t really make much of an impact anywhere.
Though the Packers surely would have liked to get more from each of them, neither had much to give when they left Green Bay.
Probably Overdrafted
- Kyler Fackrell - 2016
- Khyri Thornton - 2014
- Abdul Hodge - 2006
On paper, it’s easy to see why each of these players was drafted where they were. On the field, it’s easy to see why they shouldn’t have been drafted where they were.