Josh Keatley
It is unfair to grade a class this early, because these players haven’t even seen the field yet, but we can still rate them based off of value, team needs, and expected impacts. The Green Bay Packers had one of the more impressive classes and addressed major needs so these rookies will see opportunities soon in their careers.
1st Round, 21st Pick- Hasean Clinton- Dix, FS, Alabama- This pick could not have been executed better. Even before the departure of M.D. Jennings, safety was a huge hole and Clinton- Dix was the best one in the draft. He should provide an immediate impact.- Grade- A+
2nd Round, 53rd Pick- Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.- Green Bay could have better utilized this pick to fill a more pressing need, but he was a great value at this pick and has the potential to be a game changer.- Grade- B-
3rd Round, 85th Pick- Khyri Thornton, DT, Sourthern Miss- The selection of a DT was brought on by the predicted vacancy of B.J. Raji next year, but this was not an immediate need. I don’t see Thornton ever making a larger impact than providing depth. – Grade- D
3rd Round, 98th Pick- Richard Rodgers, TE, California- This was the Pack’s largest need and I think Rodgers was a reach in the third round, but he was the best TE left on the board and they needed a potential receiving TE to pair with Andrew Quarless.- Grade- C+
4th Round, 121st Pick- Carl Bradford, OLB/DE, Southern California- This was the best pick on the third day for Green Bay, because Bradford was a steal this late. He provides help as a versatile pass rusher, which is a major need for the Pack. – Grade- A
5th Round, 161st Pick- Corey Linsley, C, Ohio St.- Center was another need after parting with Evan Dietrich- Smith, but it is hard to envision Linsley making an impact at the next level. I am expecting J.C. Tretter to move to C and Linsley to provide depth. – Grade- C-
5th Round, 176th Pick- Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin- There were larger needs left for Green Bay to fill, but having a WR of this caliber fall this far was too good to pass up. It would not surprise me if Abbrederis eventually contributes consistently.- Grade- A
6th Round, 197th Pick- Demetri Goodson, CB, Baylor- Both Davon House and Tramon Williams have expiring contracts and this was the obvious motivation for this pick, but Goodson looks like a reach here. I do not ever see him contributing more than depth.- Grade- D+
7th Round, 236th Pick- Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley- Much like with the Abbrederis selection, the fall of such a talented player was too much to pass on. Janis probably won’t develop into a superstar, but he should eventually contribute- Grade- A
Overall this was a better than average haul for Green Bay. They have found four guys that should be able to contribute some playing time immediately and five others that should contribute quality depth- Overall Grade- A
