Green Bay Packers 2012 Draft Preview

Apr 17, 2012 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - Though the Packers remain in very good shape over the long haul, as a team that won a Super Bowl in 2010 and lost just one regular-season game last year fields one of the league's youngest rosters and has most of its core members under contract for the foreseeable future, the defending NFC North champs still could use some fine-tuning. General manager Ted Thompson probably won't sway much from his subscription to taking the best available player, a philosophy that's bred considerable success, but it's likely he'll be spending a lot of attention towards repairing a suspect defense that allowed the most yards in the NFL this past season. Green Bay still lacks a reliable complement to pass-rushing terror Clay Matthews at outside linebacker, and the team failed to come up with an adequate fill-in for free safety Nick Collins after the three-time Pro Bowler sustained a potentially career-threatening neck injury in September. A lack of impact players at the end spots also contributed to last year's defensive downturn, so it's almost certain Thompson will be using at least one of the Pack's 12 picks on solidifying that department. He'll also be on the lookout for a developmental quarterback to replace free-agent departure Matt Flynn and possibly another running back, as veteran Ryan Grant has yet to be re-signed and leading rusher James Starks has had difficulty staying healthy over his career.

2011 Record: 15-1

Top Needs: OLB, S, DE

First Three Picks: No. 28, No. 59, No. 90

Number of Selections: 12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - Derek Sherrod (OT, Mississippi State); 2010 - Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa); 2009 - B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College), Clay Matthews (OLB, USC); 2008 - none; 2007 - Justin Harrell (DT, Tennessee); 2006 - A.J. Hawk (LB, Ohio State); 2005 - Aaron Rodgers (QB, California); 2004 - Ahmad Carroll (CB, Arkansas); 2003 - Nick Barnett (LB, Oregon State).