The Draft

We're back. I apologize to Filzen for the lack of Hangover material. I moved out and first got an internet connection again two days ago. Count, them, two days ago. But I plan the finish the show (single tear) strong.

But onto my favorite non-competition sporting event of the year; the NFL draft. Papi and myself take the draft pretty seriously, having watched every last tick of the first day two years in a row. This year's draft is brewing up to be one of the strongest, with the most firepower in years, thanks to every junior worth his salt not named Brian Brohm declaring eligible.

This is delicious news to Packers fans, as GB owns the 16th pick in the draft. After an uninspiring, yet encouraging 8-8 finish to the 2006 season, landing a legit playmaker could put the team back into the thick of the playoffs in the NFC.*

(*denotes Uncle Brett has another year left in him)

Here's the most encouraging thing, the junior class alone has the Packers in position to land a stud. It's our purpose to simply start in pretty raw form of just listing top prospects to give everyone a clearer idea of the caliber of player GB has a chance of landing. These guys are listed in no particular order save for their position.

JUNIORS
QB-JaMarcus Russell-LSU
RB-Marshawn Lynch-Cal
RB-Adrian Peterson-Oklahoma
RB-Michael Bush-Louisville
RB-Michael Pittman-OSU
WR-Calvin Johnson-Georgia Tech
WR-Sidney Rice-S. Carolina
WR-Dwayne Jarrett-USC
WR-Ted Ginn, Jr.-OSU
WR-Robert Meacham-Tennessee
S- Reggie Nelson-Florida
DT-Alan Branch-Michigan
CB-Darrelle Revis-Pitt
CB-C.J. Gaddis-Clemson
LB-Lawrence Timmons-FSU

For those of you counting at home, that's 15 players listed. Now, not all of them are expected to be top 15 picks, but most of them clearly have the talent to be, and it doesn't even include some of the top senior prospects:

S-LaRon Landry-LSU
QB-Brady Quinn-Notre Dame
OT-Joe Thomas-Wisconsin
DE-Gaines Adams-Clemson
CB-Leon Hall-Michigan
DT-Quinn Pitcock-OSU
DE/LB-LaMarr Woodley-Michigan
OT-Levi Brown-Penn State
LB-Paul Posluzney-Penn State

Coupled with the above senior prospects, and we've almost got enough names to form a first round mock draft. Keep in mind today's date. The NFL season isn't even done yet...the combine hasn't happened yet. I've done basically zero research on players eligible, just tossing out names that are known to be legit first round prospects. Did anyone really think Mario Williams and Vernon Davis would be top six picks prior to the combine last year? Did anyone predict Matt Jones being a first round pick two years ago before the combine? Case in point, there will be plenty of more top tier guys to throw into the first round discussion in the near future.

Geaux Saints....