I'm now convinced about our first round pick. I think I'd be happy with this draft.

9) Tyson Jackson DE LSU. I think when you look at this draft you have only 1 starter at the 5 technique tackle from day 1. Jackson will be rated higher for 3-4 teams obviously. Due to the fact that Raji will be gone and I think all the tweener DEs in the top 10 are a bit overrated, I go Jackson.

28) TT does the unthinkable. He trades 41 and 83 for Philly's 28th pick. He moves up to select OLB Connor Barwin. Barwin obviously brings a lot to the table, I would love to see him in green and gold.

81) In order to recoup some earlier picks TT drops back to Tampa's slot and gives 73 and 174 for 81 and 116. At 81 TT selects TE Travis Beckum. Don't argue with me about the need for a TE cuz I don't care. I see a need for guy like Beckum. I think he has the ability to cause trouble for opposing Defenses. People say we don't use our TEs that much. Hmmm, I wonder why.

105) Gerald Cadogan OT Penn St. 6'5 310. Second team all big 10. Ran 5.1 40, 26 reps, and has 35 inch arms. Probably steps in at RT immediately.

116) Sammie Lee Hill NT. Sammie won't be asked to do a whole lot outside of develop his skill and spell Pickett throughout the game. At 330# he should be able to hold up a blocker or 2.

137) CB Joe Burnett. Joe is a bit small but he brings elite KR ability (29 yd avg and 2 TDs this year) as well as a decent shot to compete for the dime corner. He has shown sure hands over the years with 6 picks in his junior season.

169) P Kevin Huber. We're all sick of the revolving door at P. Just get it over with. As long as its not a 3rd round pick.

201) WR Jaison Williams from Oregon. Williams has some issues as he was benched this year. Probably out of frustration from the lack of Dennis Dixon. at 6'4 and 235# he runs around 4.5 and has a 37 inch vertical leap. If he can make the squad you should see him used on a few jump balls.

I have some questions, but they are for the sake of discussion, not argument.

1. IF Raji were available, would you take him instead of Jackson. I agree, Jackson looks like a great prospect.

2. You seem enamored with Barwin. Would you prefer someone else instead of him, or do you see him as the best prospect? If, for example, Matthews were available, would you consider of them (I'm high on Matthews- and, no, I don't mean I'm "high" and like Matthews!)

3. What would Beckum give the Packers that Finley (last year's TE pick) should be giving them (hopefully) soon?

4. Cadogan sounds like a decent player- but weren't the Packers ready to put a rookie in there last year before he got hurt? (His name maddeningly eludes me). I'm not saying the pick is bad- but I'd prefer a DE here.

Now, some things I like: adding a good KR; picking up Hill (3rd round seems reasonable); Williams could be a sleeper, and a real red zone threat; Huber. By the way, do you think Packers fans will ever forgive Sherman for trading up to get a punter in the third?

Quibbles for a very solid effort.

Personally, I'd rather have Gilbert than Jackson, but I wouldn't be unhappy with this draft.

I've been struggling with this idea as well in my own mocks. I really like Jackson and think he will be a good player, fits a need and will start right away. He just makes sense. I also fear if we trade back too far he won't be there, so do you take the guy you want at the spot you're at? Or do you roll the dice that you can move back and still get him. I've seen him go as high as Denver #12 in mocks.

People think Sammie Lee Hill will play NT because he's huge but he's a far better candidate to play End in a 3-4 than NT. He'll need to trim down to 300ish but that's where he fits in my opinion.

i would be pretty happy with this, but hopefully we'd re-sign Tauscher if we didn't go T in the first.

the Sporting News mock had us taking Larry English at 9 and didn't have Jackson going in the 1st at all.

just goes to show how people's evaluations can be all over the board.

My biggest issue with this mock is not going after an OT earlier. I think there needs to be an OT taken somewhere in the first three rounds.

I like Beckum, but picking him at 81 wouldn't be my first choice. I think there's certainly bigger needs than a pass catching TE, and I'd have to judge the pick based on who else is left on the board.

Ohio - Good effort on this mock, and outstanding on the trade-up (back into round 1)... I like that move.

To pick-nits about Beckum... I still fail to see what he brings to the table that the Packers don't already have. He's 239 lbs., dripping wet after a buffet dinner, so asking him to block a 290 lb.+ DE is out of the question. He's fast (4.61 40) and can jump (38-1/2" Vert, 9'-10" broad). Did you know that:
1. D. Lee is a solid 245-250 and has shown that he can and will block. Lee has a 39" vertical, and 10' broad.
2. Ruvell Martin (I know, a WR) is over an inch taller, runs the same 4.61 40, and has a 37-1/2" vertical and a 10'-5" broad.

We already have better skills on current, proven roster members... don't need Beckum, IMHO.

I suppose if I would change anything about this draft I might take a TE in round 4 and grab OT Fenuki Tupou in round 3.