It’s time for the draft again
On day two, Pack loads up on depth
By Brett Winkler
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For most NFL teams, the first day of the draft is used to either select immediate starters and other impact players or to pick up injured defensive linemen 20 picks early.
The second day, however, is used primarily for depth. Although many players selected in rounds three through seven will be out of a job once the regular season rolls around, several Pro Bowlers and even Hall of Famers have slipped through the cracks.
Day two might lack the hype and excitement that the first day offers, but it is often just as important if not more so. Here’s a look at what Ted Thompson and the Packers brought in on the second day.
Allen Barbre, Tackle, Missouri Southern State
Round 4, Pick 119
The Packers traded down seven spots with the Steelers and wound up taking this little-known tackle at pick 119, although they probably could have grabbed him even later.
For what it’s worth, Barbre started 33 of 37 games in college, going against Thompson’s philosophy on drafting players who have been injured for three years. Barbre could very well be the eventual replacement for Chad Clifton at left tackle.
Randy Moss, Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders
Round 4
Wait ’ what? They didn’t trade for Moss?
David Clowney, Wide Receiver, Virginia Tech
Round 5, Pick 157
Clowney was a two-sport stud at VT, starring in both track and, well, football. His last name might be Clowney, but his speed and athleticism are no laughing matter (and my last name might be Winkler, but that last sentence is no laughing matter, either).
Seriously though, this pick makes up for the Pack’s third-round pick, James Jones, who is poised to become this year’s Cory Rodgers.
Korey Hall, Linebacker, Boise State
Round 6, Pick 191
Following draft day trades with the Jets and Steelers, the Packers landed three consecutive picks in the sixth. Hall was a steal with pick 191, though he would have been a slightly bigger steal at 192 or even 193!
He joins the Green and Gold after being named the 2006 WAC Defensive Player of the Year, which is pretty wack, yo.
Desmond Bishop, Linebacker, California
Round 6, Pick 192
Thompson made it two straight at linebacker with the selection of Bishop, who led the Pac-10 in tackles last year.
Justin Harrell, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
Round 6
What do you mean they took him in the first round?
Mason Crosby, Kicker, Colorado
Round 6, Pick 193
Most scouts had Crosby rated as the best kicker in the draft, and the projected third or fourth rounder was too good for the Packers to pass up this late. He missed a lot of kicks last season, but only because Colorado trusted his leg strength so much that they practically lined up him for 80-yarders. He will battle Dave Rayner at kicker, which could get interesting.
DeShawn Wynn, Running Back, Florida
Round 7, Pick 228
A solid late selection by the Pack, Wynn is a powerful runner and could challenge Brandon Miree at fullback.
Clark Harris, Tight End, Rutgers
Round 7, Pick 243
Bubba Franks has lost a step (or both of his hands), and Harris fell to the Packers late in the seventh.
Overall, Ted Thompson had a pretty solid day ’ and draft for that matter. He’s been criticized for reaching on the first day, but he definitely got value for his picks on day two.
Much like his previous two drafts, the players that nobody has ever heard of will probably turn out to be much better than anyone would have imagined. If not quality, he and the Packers at least got quantity, selecting seven players on the second day and 11 overall.
Only time will tell, but this draft class could end up becoming one of the best in recent memory. Really, though, they really didn’t trade for Moss?


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