It's time! Spring break means time to put together the umpteenth annual Packers draft preview and predictions. With spring break being late this year, it allowed for most of the free agent resignings to be resolved and the comp picks to be allocated. This year the Packers get two 6th round comp picks for the free agent losses of ED-S and James Jones. Here we go....

1st Round (#30): Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA - the departure of Hawk and Jones leaves the Packers with just Sam Barrington as the only returning ILB with any game experience. Lattimore has yet to be resigned, so addressing ILB will be critical. This may be a little higher than Kendricks should go, but SF will be looking for ILB as well so I wouldn't count on good ILBs being around in later rounds. Kendricks played in a 3-4 system with UCLA, reducing the learning curve, and he has the athleticism to play all three downs.
If he's still available: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas - Neither Raji nor Guion have been resigned yet, leaving just Boyd and Pennel as the only players capable of playing NT and making addressing NT almost as important as ILB. A true junior, he still is developing and has upside and was disruptive in the middle for Texas. This is not a good year for NT in the draft, so if he's still around I think the Packers have to go that route.
Don't be surprised if it's: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma - while the Packers lost Williams and House, you can get CBs later in the draft; remember, Williams as a UDFA and House a 4th round pick. This year there isn't much for DL who can play in a 3-4. Last year the Packers ranked 23rd in rush defense and I think that's primarily because their DL is built for pass-rush; guys like Daniels and Jones are good pass rushers, but too small to be run defenders in a 3-4 (which is why I didn't mock Jones to the Packers that year). Phillips is one of the few players in the draft with the size to stop the run and the athleticism to get penetration.

2nd round: Eric Rowe, CB, Utah - has ideal size (6'1", 205) and showed more speed and athleticism at the combine than people expected (4.45, 39" vertical, top performer among CBs at all drills). Four year starter, but first three were at safety with only last season spent at CB. Not the greatest ball skills (3 career INTs) but has the size and athleticism to play outside and disrupt at the line of scrimmage and has experience against speedy Pac-10 receivers.
If he's still available: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson - ideal size and good speed, can cover TE's and RBs out of the backfield. The question is if he will get by SF in round 2.
Don't be surprised if it's: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise St. - Only player in FBS history with 1,800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season. Bigger back (6'0", 220) who can play all three downs, former soccer player with great feet and excellent shuttle times at the combine. While they have Lacy, I think Lacy's running style will not make for a long career. A pass-catching threat out of the backfield would not be a bad thing.

3rd round: Tyeler Davison, NT, Fresno St. - not the biggest NT, but very strong and also very quick. Has thickly muscled, long arms with big hands. 13 TFL and 8.5 sacks last year. Shouldn't be hard for him to put on 10-15 lbs. and become a solid NT while retaining his strength.
If he's still available: Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane - true junior with upside, has 15 interceptions in 3 years for 271 return yards. Was a WR in high school and has great hands and ball skills. Not the biggest CB, but about the same size as Williams. Not as fast as D'Joun Smith, but wouldn't be surprised if he's their 2nd round pick either.
Don't be surprised if it's: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas St. - What? Another WR? And a shorter one?? Yes. Small but fast and productive, I watched their bowl game and even though they knew that they were going to throw to Lockett UCLA couldn't cover him (13 catches for 164 yards). Excellent route runner and return man - he has six career kicks (2 punts, 4 kickoffs) returned for TDs. Ability to return kicks also allows the Packers to protect their investment in Cobb.

4th round: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado St. - With Flynn gone the Packers need a 3rd QB. The Packers have been linked to Bryce Petty, but I think he's long gone by now. Grayson has great touch on deep balls and puts balls where they are catchable. Great lower body mechanics, uses legs to drive the ball.
If he's still available: Ty Sambraillo, OT, Colorado St. - outstanding pass protector, I think I read that he only gave up two sacks in his career. Scouts are all over the board with him, and with the resigning of Bulaga it's not a need position, but he'd be too good of a value to pass up. Bulaga has missed 24 of the Packers last 48 regular season games due to injury; wouldn't hurt to have a good backup. TT loves OL in the 4th and 5th round.
Don't be surprised if it's: Marcus Hardison, DE, Arizona St. - Never hurts to have DL depth, Hardison exploded for 10 sacks and 15 TFL last year in a starting role. Excellent athleticism, quick off the snap. Might be a make-or-break year for Datone Jones.

5th round: Mitch Morse, OT/G, Missouri - TT has drafted OL in the 4th or 5th round in 8 of his 10 drafts. Morse has experience at both tackle positions and has the strength to move inside to guard, making a backup with versatility that TT/MM love. See above comment about Bulaga and injuries.
If he's still available: Darren Waller, WR/TE, Georgia Tech - big (6'6", 238") and fast (4.46), Waller didn't get to showcase his skills much playing in the triple-option offense of GA Tech. Could be a big matchup problem - too fast for LBs, too big for DBs. Career average of 19.0 yards/catch.
Don't be surprised if it's: Kyle Emmanuel, OLB, North Dakota St - dominated FBS with 19.5 sacks and 32.5 TFL this past season, has ideal size for OLB, good strength and decent athleticism.

6th round (own): Amarlo Herrera, ILB, Georgia - the less heralded of Georgia's ILB tandem, Herrera has been very productive with 227 tackles, 15 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 7 PBUs, and 2 INTs over the last two years. Was responsible for lining up the defense and making pre-snap adjustments. Coming from a 3-4, and playing in the SEC, the adjustment to the pros will be minimal.
If he's still available: Leterrius Walton, DE/DT, Central Michigan - former baseball and basketball player, he transitioned from OL and has been improving. Could be a sleeper, and is one of the few DL with the size to play in a 3-4.
Don't be surprised if it's: Jean Sifrin, TE, Massachusets - older player but former basketball player with outstanding leaping ability and huge hands. Needs some development, but could have some big upside, even if his career is shorter.

6th round (comp #1) - someone from Central Florida. If he's still available, CB Jacoby Glenn has good height and was very productive as a redshirt sophomore with 9 career INTs. Not the fastest CB, but has upside. ILB Terrance Plummer is my nominee for the Ted Thompson Late-Round Linebacker Nobody Has Heard Of Award. A 3-year starter, he has had over 300 tackles, 28.5 TFLs, 14 PBUs, and 4 INTs in those three years. And S Clayton Geathers is a taller, bigger safety with good athleticism who can cover TEs out of the backfield while supporting the run.

6th round (comp #2): Marcus Murphy, RB, Missouri - likely a 3rd down back only, he's a huge return threat - seven career kicks returned for TDs (4 punts, 3 kicks). Would be nice to have a receiving threat out of the backfield. A cheap way to protect their investment in Cobb.
If he's still available: Dexter McDonald, CB, Kansas - excellent size (6'1", 200) for a CB with good speed and leaping ability. Doesn't have the best ball skills, but his athletic traits are worth taking a shot on.
Don't be surprised if it's: Bryan Bennett, QB, Southeastern Louisiana - former Oregon QB who played behind Mariotta, he has good arm strength and athleticism but poor technique. GB can focus on developing his technique without worrying about pressuring him to play.

7th round - someone from Utah State. ILB Zach Vigil posted a monster season with 156 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 4 PBUs and 1 INT. A 3-year starter in an attack 3-4 scheme, his learning curve will be minimal even if he only has the athleticism to be a 2-down backer. DE/OLB B.J. Larsen could bakcup at the elephant OLB position or as a pass-rushing DE. Worked his way from a walk-on to 9 sacks and 13 TFLs last year. And S Frankie Sutera had a monster season as well with 7 INTs, 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 87 tackles. Might not be athletic enough to make it, but he has plus instincts and football intelligence and knows where the play is going before it happens.

Made a switch in the 2nd round and swapped out Eric Rowe for D'Joun Smith. Rowe, while less experienced at CB and less ball skills than Smith, really excelled at the combine and has the ideal CB size. He can play outside, leaving Hayward as the slot CB. I didn't know that Rowe spent his first 3 years at free safety, but is a four-year starter in the Pac-10 none the less.

From the scouting reports I see, James is a day 3 pick - "James isn't a plus receiver with great hands and he lacks the quickness to consistently free himself from man coverage, so he must become a more determined run blocker in order to have a shot at starting in the NFL." That being said, he did show a good vertical so at 6'7" he could be a weapon, but most reports I see have a 5th/6th round grade on him.

Might switch Petty into my 4th round. Wasn't aware that a back injury hampered his performance.

The Packers signed Ross Scheuerman to the practice squad. I knew I'd get one!