Day Three of the NFL draft General Manager Ted Thompson had his own four picks plus two compensatory picks in the sixth round. After being disappointed with the first three picks (S Damarious Randall, S Quentin Rollins and kick returner Ty Montgomery) I was anxiously awaiting some third day gems taken by the master of the third day gems.
However, when I finally got home from a thrilling doubleheader sweep by the local college softball team I clicked on the list and couldn't believe my eyes. After my first perusal I couldn't find a gem among the clinkers. Upon further reflection maybe there was one, maybe.
After avoiding like the plague the most needy of positions - inside linebacker - the first two days Thompson finally drafts Jake Ryan from Michigan. At least he isn't a project like the first two picks who are moving from safety to cornerback because he moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker his senior year.
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| Jake Ryan |
The scouting report has him listed as 6-2, 240. His strengths are being a downhill tackler with a burst to the ball and the ability to go sideline to sideline. He's also good in zone coverage. His weaknesses are being a block magnet and staying tied up for too long as well as needing improvement on diagnosing and reacting to the play. He is overly aggressive (considering the Packer defense that is not a weakness), but he does tend to miss tackles (that could be a problem).
He has been compared to Desmond Bishop, which is a good thing, but he also has been compared to A. J. Hawk for being a consistent player and assignment sure.
For a fourth round draft pick expecting to fill a backup role Ryan would be a good pick. But for being the only linebacker drafted and, in some circles, expected to start right away so Clay Matthews can be moved back outside, being compared to Hawk is not a good thing. I give this pick a C+.
In fifth round Thompson was evidently on a mission when the last of the top six quarterbacks was still available, so he traded the Packers No. 5-166 and his lone No. 7-247 to the Patriots to jump up 19 spots to No. 147 so he could draft the heir apparent UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.
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| Brett Hundley |
Hundley is an interesting prospect and I do mean prospect. He is a physical specimen who can stand in the pocket and take punishment, which is good since he takes a lot of it. He was second team All-Pac 12. And that is as far as his positives goes.
His weaknesses are and I quote: 'Hasn't shown an ability to win from the pocket yet. Protected by playaction-based short passing game that held linebackers and cornerbacks at bay. Internal clock is a mess. Has marginal anticipation, and appears to be lacking in ability to read defenses and create a pre-snap plan. Slow getting through progressions, taking 125 sacks in three years. Inconsistent weight transfer on throws, which affects accuracy (throws sail) and velocity. Needs to reset feet when swiveling from side to side while scanning for next target. Gets crowded in pocket rather than sliding to open space. Short-arms too many throws. Ineffective, inaccurate passer outside of pocket with lowest completion percentage in Pac-12 when scrambling (32.6 percent). Misses opportunities to climb pocket while keeping eyes downfield rather than taking off as a runner.'
To make this trade (his only) means Thompson really wanted him. He is the exact opposite to Aaron Rodgers and seems like a clone of Geno Smith. So the only explanation for this pick (since Rodgers has at least five to nine years good years left) is..........I don't know. Hundley has to be broken down and put back together again and how does that help the Packers next year and for the next few years?
I don't think this was the year to draft the heir apparent or for that matter a backup, but maybe a good year for a camp arm, but that's what undrafted free agents are for. However, to invest two draft picks for this quarterback was a major reach. My grade is F-.
The last three picks came in the sixth round at 206, 210 and 213. First he drafts a bruising fullback - Aaron Ripkowski from Oklahoma - then he takes a defensive tackle - the Magic Christian Ringo from Louisiana-Lafayette - and finally a tight end - Kennard Backman from Alabama-Birmingham.
By all accounts Ripkowski is the heir apparent to John Kuhn. If he hits as hard as people say he does he might even push Kuhn out the door during what could be Kuhn's final season. My grade is B+.
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| Aaron Ripkowski |
Ringo is a pass rushing defensive tackle being compared to a smaller Mike Daniels, who might be moved to end. A long shot at best. My grade is D+.
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| Christian Ringo |
Backman is a marginal tight end who can't block. Did Thompson suffer a stroke? This player is exactly what Thompson doesn't look for and still he drafted him. My grade F.
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| Kennard Backman |
My final grade on Day Three is D+.
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