It's that time of year again, and time for my annual predictions.  This year's draft really comes down to three guys on the current roster: Bulaga, Lang, and Newhouse.  The team's #1 need is to protect the health of Aaron Rodgers, and they have one aging tackle likely gone (Tauscher) and another very good yet aging tackle (Clifton) who won't be around much longer.  Lang looked decent in limited action at LT, but MM has said he views his future at G and MM also made comments about how he didn't see as much improvement from year 1 to year 2 with Lang as he had hoped.  Newhouse was the starting LT on some very good TCU teams, and although he didn't see action they wouldn't have kept him on the roster if they didn't think he had potential.  If they think Bulaga can eventually play LT and if they think Lang and Newhouse can play tackle, then they may not need to draft an OT.  If they don't think Bulaga can play LT, if Lang truly is a guard, and if Newhouse is just a guy, then I think they go OT in the first 2-3 rounds.

One general prediction - the Packers will trade up somewhere in the draft.  They should have an extra pick from Carolina for long-snapper JJ Jansen (likely a 7th), and should have a comp pick for Kampman.  I'll be conservative and say it's a 5th.  The Packers also likely have Nick Barnett on the trading block, and his best return value may come packaged with a pick to move up.  I don't think they will get as good of a value for him for a draft pick straight up.

So here goes... have fun!

1st Round: Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada - a bit of a reach?  Maybe, but this is the most difficult pick to predict because the Packers will go Best Player Available here regardless of position.  That's why I think he's the pick - I think a guy who is 6'1", 248 lbs, runs a 4.44 40-yard dash, and had 71 career TFLs and 28.5 career sacks is likely the best player available here because I think the top OTs and DEs will be off the board.  Read that again - 6'1", 248 lbs, 4.44, 71 career TFLs - think about that opposite Matthews.  If he's not the pick at #32, I could easily see the Packers trading up to the middle of the 2nd round to get him (Barnett + their 3rd round pick for a mid-2nd round pick).  (Replaces Brady Poppinga)
If he's still available: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin - see #1 need above: protect Aaron Rodgers.  Between him and Bulaga, one should be good enough to play LT and the other plays RT, and you have potentially another decade of bookend OTs.
Don't be surprised if it's: Muhammed Wilkerson, DL, Temple - with the likely loss of Jenkins they will need to replace his production, and Wilkerson has prototypical size for a 5-technique, is productive, and as a true junior is young enough to still be developing and have even greater upside.  Neal and CJ Wilson both looked good for rookies, but Wilkerson may be too talented to pass up here.

2nd Round: Demarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - some injury concerns, but he showed his speed at the combine and if he's not asked to be the #1 back and his carries are limited he should be OK.  Quiz - of all of the RBs to come out of Oklahoma, did you know Murray holds the career record for TDs, all-purpose yards, and receiving yards?  Bonus - averaged 27 yards on 52 career punt returns.  No more Tramon Williams on punt returns.  Again, I think he's the BPA at the end of round 2.  As much as I like Brandon Jackson and think Jackson is a very good 3rd down back, I think Murray is too hard to pass up here. (Replaces Brandon Jackson)
If he's still available: DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas - again, simply because protecting Rodgers is priority #1 and OTs are like starting pitchers - you can never have too many good ones.  Also has played G, and it's possible that both Colledge and Spitz may not be back.
If they haven't drafted Moch yet: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona - while Jones, Zombo, and Walden all have shown flashes, they are arguably all average and Reed would be an upgrade.  Also, Matthews missed a game and a half last year with a hamstring injury and while I'd be OK starting one of Jones/Zombo/Walden, I would not be fine starting two of them.

3rd Round: Dwayne Harris, WR, East Carolina - a little shorter than they like at 5'10", but with 268 career receptions and 3000 career receiving yards he can catch the ball, plus he has 51 career punt returns.  Let him and Murray battle it out for punt return duty.  (Replaces James Jones/Brett Swain)
If he's still available: Jarvis Jenkins, DL, Clemson - prototypical size for a 5-technique, not many sacks but 31 career TFLs as an interior DL is pretty good.
Don't be surprised if it's: John Moffit, OG, Wisconsin - it's possible both Colledge and Spitz won't be back, and Moffitt can play Colledge's role as starting LG and Spitz's role as backup center.

4th Round: Mike Mohamed, ILB, Cal - if Barnett is let go, which is very likely, they will need depth; Mohamed is athletic and has good cover skills, and the last ILB they drafted from Cal worked out alright (replaces Nick Barnett)
If he's still available: Chris Hairston, OT, Clemson - developmental depth if Lang or Newhouse aren't in their future plans
Don't be surprised if it's: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas - TT keeps his eye on guys whose stock falls due to injuries their senior year; Brown was overshadowed by Aaron Williams and Curtis Brown but got a lot of playing time his junior and sophomore year.

5th Round: Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State - could be this year's Sam Shields, as he didn't start playing CB until his junior year.  I don't think he'll go as high as some think, but he could be a good developmental guy with high upside (replaces Brandon Underwood)
If he's still available: Roy Helu Jr., RB, Nebraska - good production, showed great speed at combine, has caught plenty of passes
Don't be surprised if it's: Bruce Miller, OLB, Central Florida - 56 career TFL and 34 career sacks, also has 3 career INTs; strong - most # of bench press reps at combine for a DE

5th Round (compensatory): David Carter, DL, UCLA - prototypical size for 5-technique, need depth behind Neal & Wilson (replaces Cullen Jenkins/Justin Harrell)
If he's still available: Jah Reid, OT, Central Florida - TT likes small-school linemen in the middle rounds, and Reid will have time to develop behind Clifton and Bulaga
Don't be surprised if it's: Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada - why not?  He'll have all the time in the world to develop (hopefully), and if he can develop he can be traded for a much higher pick down the road if he isn't needed (knock on wood)

6th Round: Jarriel King, OT, South Carolina - OT depth is never a bad thing (competes with Newhouse/Campbell)
If he's still available: Tejay Johnson, S, TCU - Bigby can't be counted on to be healthy, so depth is needed just in case
Don't be surprised if it's: Nick Bellore, ILB, Central Michigan - if/when Barnett leaves they will need depth

7th Round (from Carolina): Someone from Louisiana Tech - could be Rob McGill, OT, or could be Phillip Livas, WR/PR, but the interesting one is Josh Victorian, CB.  Victorian was 4th in the nation in passes defensed but has gone unnoticed... very similar to another CB from LA Tech.

7th Round: Brad Thorson, OL, Kansas - yes, that Brad Thorson, the guy who left/was asked to leave UW a couple of years ago (supposedly the last straw was injuring Dan Moore in practice being too aggressive); has played C, G, and T, and can fill Spitz's role as backup G/C and possibly backup RT too.  TT loves linemen with versatility.  (Replaces Jason Spitz)
If he's still available: Alex Green, RB, Hawaii - good pass-catching skills, showed decent speed at combine, will need 3rd down back if Jackson isn't brought back
Don't be surprised if it's: Taylor Potts, QB, Texas Tech - compete with fellow TT alumn Graham Harrell for developmental role; if someone wants to overpay for Matt Flynn and offer a 3rd round or higher draft pick that's fine with me