Football Memo

NFC North Draft Grades: Green Bay Packers

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Green Bay Packers
Analysis:
Green Bay filled a huge hole in its deep secondary by grabbing Alabama safety, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the first round. Clinton-Dix is a solid all-around safety, but is best suited to patrol the deep secondary as a free safety. Clinton-Dix should start immediately, and gives the Packers more ability to deal with the talented receivers within the NFC North. Green Bay also brought in some depth at receiver, adding Davante Adams in the second round, and stealing Jared Abbrederis in the fifth. Both Adams and Abbrederis are good route runners and are more possession-type wideouts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both contribute this season. Green Bay also filled a need by bringing in tight end Richard Rodgers, who gives the team options at a depleted position – due to the injury to Jermichael Finley. The Packers turned a solid draft into a very good one came with the selections of defensive tackle Khyri Thornton in the third round, and linebacker Carl Bradford in the fourth. Thornton is a penetrating tackle that has the ability to push the pocket. Bradford is an outside backer with ability to get after the passer. Bradford could push for a starting spot opposite Clay Matthews, or add depth and versatility as a reserve. Green Bay also brought in some depth to the interior line with the fifth-round selection of center Corey Linsley. While the Packers’ draft doesn’t have a ‘wow’ factor, they really did a good job of just adding quality talent with all seven selections.
Grade: B+

Green Bay Packers -2014 Draft Selections
1 (21) Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
2 (53) Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
3 (85) Khyri Thornton, DE, Southern Mississippi
3 (98) Richard Rodgers, TE, California
4 (121) Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State
5 (161) Corey Linsley, C, Ohio State
5 (176) Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin

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