With the 2015 NFL Draft complete, cheeseheads have a more complete team to look forward to, but many fans remain puzzled. It was no question that the defense needed some spots filled, particularly at cornerback and inside linebacker. The defensive line was also a concern in terms of depth, and on offense, there was some speculation that a tight end and possibly a lineman would be in the mix. At this time every year, the popular sentiment “In Ted We Trust” is echoed by Packers fans. General manager Ted Thompson’s methods may not always be perfectly understood, but he is a sure bet to field a good team. Let’s take a look at Thompson’s most recent selections.
First Round (30th overall): Damarious Randall, CB/S, Arizona State
Second Round (62nd overall): Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)
Third Round (94rd overall): Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
Fourth Round (129th overall): Jake Ryan, ILB, Michigan
Fifth Round (147th overall): Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Sixth Round (206th overall): Aaron Ripkowski, FB, Oklahoma
Sixth Round (210th overall): Christian Ringo, DL, UL Lafayette
Sixth Round (213th overall): Kennard Backman, TE, Alabama-Birmingham
Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft Review
The Best Player: Damarious Randall
I’d like to be more creative than calling the first rounder the best selection, but I’m not going to lie. Damarious Randall may have played safety at Arizona State, but it’s generally believed that his NFL destiny will be at cornerback. Randall has the speed to keep up with just about anyone and scouts have been drooling over him for months with respect to his play recognition and ball skills.
He has been criticized for his tackling technique but his willingness to make a hit is no problem, as he proverbially has guts and bravery coming out his ears. Look for Randall to make a move to start opposite Sam Shields, as he will be Casey Hayward’s main competition in a few months.
The Head-Scratcher: Ty Montgomery
With the likes of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams as the top pass catchers in 2015, along with 2014 drafts picks Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis poised to bust into the picture, there seemed to be no need for another wide receiver. Ty Montgomery is not a tall receiver, standing just 6’0″, but he’s solidly built with above average strength. Montgomery, however, will likely have his best chance to make an impact returning punts and kickoffs, as he was an All-American in 2014. The Packers suffered in terms of kickoff returns last year, but that was largely due to miscommunication among blockers as opposed to lack of return-capable personnel.
But again, in Ted we must trust. His versatility as a receiver is an asset, as he can line up just about anywhere. His biggest weakness is his route running, as he lacks the elusiveness to gain the upper hand against NFL caliber defensive backs.
The Most Surprising Pick: Quinten Rollins
Many people (myself included) expected to see an inside linebacker taken in one of the first two rounds. Instead, a second cornerback was picked up in the second round. He’s an intriguing choice, but he possesses some major question marks. Rollins played just one season of football at Miami, as he focused on basketball for much of his collegiate career. But in that solitary year, he won MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
At 5’11” and 195 pounds, Rollins is as fearless as they come. In fact, he plays more like a 6’5″, 245-pound linebacker. His 40-yard dash time of 4.57 seconds is slightly slower than a team wants to see in a cornerback, but he has proven that he is fast on the field. The seven interceptions he recorded over the course of the 2014 season are proof that his instincts are right where they need to be. Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt will have a great pair of rookies to work his magic on in the upcoming months.
The Steal: Brett Hundley
Brett Hundley is a prospect who is intriguing, but not ready for an NFL career just yet. Hundley had great success with UCLA, achieving a completion percentage of 67.6% in his three years. His 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio was also impressive. He has great speed and he can tuck the ball and run with the best of them.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of his passes in college were short, with over 50% of his 2014 passes traveling six yards or less downfield. This has led to negative speculation about the consistency of his arm strength and his comfort going through progressions and finding receivers. He is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the draft, but his talent is raw. Fortunately, he will have a few years to learn from Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy before he steps on the field.
Most Likely To Turn Heads in Training Camp: Jake Ryan
Jake Ryan is on the quick side for an inside linebacker and he is known to tackle with solid technique. Additionally, he can play both linebacker positions. One of his biggest assets is his work ethic, as he is the type of player who can adapt to plenty of different situations and anticipate plays. However, he has been known to overcommit and he has some difficulty making tackles in the open field. Another concern is his knee, as he suffered a torn ACL back in 2013.
Ultimately, many analysts believe Ryan has similar potential to A.J. Hawk. He will make plenty of tackles but will probably not rise to be one of the elite linebackers in the league.
The Rest
Aaron Ripkowski: With John Kuhn likely on his way out in the next couple of years, the Packers took a fullback in the sixth round. He’s one of the meanest blockers in this class and he can also carry the ball well. Playing behind Kuhn will give “The Ripper” a chance to learn from one of the league’s best.
Christian Ringo: The Packers also drafted a powerful pass rusher in the sixth round. Christian Ringo is widely considered one of the most promising sleepers among this year’s crop of defensive linemen.
Kennard Backman: The Packers drafted a fast tight end with their last pick. Kennard Backman is a little on the small side, but he has a chance to make an impact. While the battle for the starting tight end position will be between Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless, Backman could make an impact on special teams as a rookie.
The Bottom Line
While they still have some holes and questions heading into the 2015 regular season, the Packers drafted a few solid players and fans should be optimistic. The defensive backfield has been supplemented with gifted athletes and a new inside linebacker was added to hopefully allow Clay Matthews to move outside more regularly. On offense, two receivers and a fullback added depth for this year and talent for the future.
Check out our other draft reviews here.
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