Green Bay Packers 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Sep 14, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez (6) runs after a catch against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) and linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Ha Ha Clinton Dix, FS, Alabama
6’1″, 208 LBs.
The Player
Dix is a very athletic and very versatile safety. He has the coverage ability to work both in the slot and in deep coverage, but also has the size and tackling ability to play like an extra linebacker. A hybrid type player like Dix is important in today’s NFL and Dix, while still honing his game, has every tool to be a great chess piece in the secondary.
The Pick
Not only was this a steal for the Packers, they also upgraded a position in need of some serious help. Very good pick all around.
The Fit
Packers can play Dix all over the place: Over the top, over the middle or in the slot, he is going to make an impact in need of a play maker in their secondary.
Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
6’1″, 212 lbs.
The Player
Adams is an incredible possession receiver with strong hands and the ability to go vertical and dominate at the catch point. He has decent speed and can make plays after the catch, but he needs to improve his route running and his focus at the catch point. He is raw, but he has special abilities.
The Pick
The Packers needed another presence on the outside with the departure of James Jones and they got that at a good price.
The Fit
Adams has a chance to walk right in and be the number three guy on that team. He needs to clean up some things, yes, but his tools are ideal on the outside of any offense.
Dec 7, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Davante Adams (15) catches a touchdown pass in front of Utah State Aggies cornerback Nevin Lawson (1) in the third quarter at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Khyri Thorton, DT, Southern Miss.
6’3″, 306 lbs.
The Player
Thorton displays very good quickness at the line of scrimmage and can use his hands very well to keep himself clean and make plays in the back field. He does have issues with his length and consistently keeping himself clean and his motor could use some work, but there is certainly appeal to a big man who can move like Thorton.
The Pick
A lot of people were high on Thorton and it is easy to see why. The Packers may have gotten a steal here.
The Fit
Thorton does not project well to a two gapping lineman due to his length and lower body strength issues, but Thorton could certainly come in and generate pressure in sub packages.
Richard Rodgers, TE, Cal
6’4″, 257
The Player
Rodgers is a versatile tight end who can line up any where to create mismatches. He is a decent but not stellar athlete who needs to improve his route running. He does a great job in the short to intermediate game and flashes strong hands at the catch point.
The Pick
I like Rodgers and think this is a good draft slot for him.
The Fit
With the tight end situation in flux in Green Bay, Rodgers has the ability to compete for a starting job. He has the blocking ability and the hands to make an appeal and if he cleans his route running up, he could be a starter by mid season.
Carl Bradford, LB, ASU
6’1″, 250 lbs.
The Player
Bradford was a relentless pass rusher in college who flew around and just hit everything in sight. He has very violent hands and impressive functional strength to pair with a nonstop motor. His length will hurt him in the NFL and he needs to play a little bit more disciplined, especially against the run.
The Pick
I think this is a good slotting for Bradford.
The Fit
Bradford could rush the passer in sub packages, but I doubt he is an every down edge player. Instead, he could make a move to inside linebacker where his mentality and relentlessness could be used to toughen up the defenses.
Nov 30, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Carl Bradford celebrates a first quarter sack against the Arizona Wildcats in the 87th annual Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Linsley, C, Ohio State
6’3″, 296 lbs.
The Player
Linsley is a very good athlete and a powerful blocker. He has a lot to improve technically, but I do like his skill set.
The Pick
I think this is a good pick for a team who needs to protect their QB.
The Fit
Linsley does not project to a day one starter, but if he can clean up things like his footwork during the offseason, he could start sooner than later.
Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
6’1″, 195 lbs.
The Player
Abbrederis is a very good route runner who uses quickness and and understanding of zones to find soft spots in defenses and get the ball. He is a very good athlete with some of the best hands in the class. He may be maxed out at this point, but he is still very good.
The Pick
Not sure how Abbrederis fell this far and it is a bit unfair that we are giving Aaron Rodgers such good weapons.
The Fit
Abbrederis can start immediately and will probably be the fourth receiver who can work underneath and move the chains for the Packers offense.
Sep 28, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (4) makes a catch during the fourth quarter while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Corey Brown (3) and cornerback Bradley Roby (1) at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin Badgers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Demetri Goodson, CB, Baylor
5’11”, 194 lbs.
The Player
A former basketball player, Goodson has incredible movement ability and can really cause issues for the receiver at the catch point. His ceiling is incredibly high, but he still needs to learn the nuances of the game.
The Pick
I am all for grabbing high upside guys late in the draft. If the coaching staff can really get to work with Goodson, he could be a very good player.
The Fit
I doubt he sees the field as a starter, but he certainly can contribute year one as a special teams player.
Jeff Janis, WR, Sagniaw Valley State
6’3″, 219 lbs.
The Player
Janis is a good athlete with very good size and can play at the catch point and make plays after the catch. He needs to refine his route running and his hands, but he certainly has good tools to succeed.
The Pick
I think that Janis could be molded into a good receiver and this is definitely a good spot for a project.
The Fit
I doubt he sees the field much with the depth of the receiving group, but he could make an impact on special teams.