Big Ten Football 2015: Previewing the Michigan Wolverines

OFFENSE: Jim Harbaugh's first offense in Ann Arbor will be quite underwhelming, however the former Wolverine quarterback is an incredible motivator and knows quite a bit about exceeding expectations. The quarterback position is quite the mystery for the Michigan faithful, as the under-performing Devin Gardner graduated last year. Coach Harbaugh can go in many different directions, however I project that he sticks with graduate transfer and former Iowa Hawkeyes starter Jake Rudock to start at Utah on September 3rd. Rudock ranked number two in the Big Ten in completion percentage last season and I doubt that Harbaugh would feel comfortable throwing out Shane Morris or true freshman Zach Gentry, who both don't have much experience on the college football level, unlike Rudock. At wide receiver, the Wolverines offense will depend on the hands of juniors Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Michigan lost their best receiver when Devin Funchess decided to enter the draft early. Funchess led the team with 62 receptions for 734 yards and four touchdowns. Darboh had a pretty impressive sophomore season, accumulating 473 yards and scoring twice, however the Wolverines may be hurting for any complementary pass catchers for 2015. I project Chesson to claim the other outside position with Dennis Norfleet and Maurice Ways possibly rotating in. Freddy Canteen will primarily play from the slot and will use his speed and elusiveness to gain chunks of yardage over the middle. Junior tight end Jake Butt will likely be a huge part of Harbaugh's offense, as he can use his 6-6 frame to make plays on high balls and his underrated speed to gain yards after the catch. Senior A.J. Williams will likely be a viable tight end to utilize in blocking situations.

The running back position is one of the hardest to forecast for the Wolverines, as they lost many of their backs to injury during last season, yet they gained a huge transfer in former 5-star recruit and USC Trojan  Ty Isaac. I see Isaac as their most gifted runner and probably the most talented half back on the roster, so for those reasons I will claim him as the starting back come of the season opener, Of course its hard to then predict who takes carries behind Isaac. Junior De'veon Smith led the Wolverines in rushing last season with 519 yards on 108 attempts and scored six times. The other two candidates are juniors Derrick Green and Drake Johnson. Both backs got injured last season with last year's starter Green going down in Week 6 after a relatively productive first five weeks. I think he has the upper hand for the backup job, however Johnson is a hometown kid who looked very explosive before he tore his ACL in the season finale. Michigan will return quite a bit of talent and experience along the offensive line. Sophomore Mason Cole started all 12 games at left tackle and impressed as a true freshman, Ben Braden will be moved to left guard and pair with junior Kyle Kalis and Graham Glasgow to form an intimidating interior for Coach Harbaugh. Starting kicker Matt Wile graduated, leaving true freshman Andrew David as the best option at kicker. He was one of the best prep kicking prospects in the nation, so do not worry about his title as true freshman, Wolverine fans.

DEFENSE: The defensive line took a big hit with the loss of the team's best edge rusher in Frank Clark. It will be difficult to replace his presence on the line, however with the combinations of 3-4 and 4-3 schemes that new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin plans to bring into the fold, it will make it easier to overcome the losses on the edge. The two defensive end positions will likely be held by senior Mario Ojemudia and talented junior Chris Wormley, who will provide heat on opposing passers during the upcoming season. The tackle positions will be occupied by Willie Henry and monstrous 6-4, 325 nose tackle Bryan Mone. The linebacking corps for the Wolverines will likely boast the most experienced and talented group of players on the field for the blue and maize, led by seniors James Ross III, Joe Bolden and Desmond Morgan. Bolden was an absolute monster for the defense a year ago, racking up 102 tackles and will act as Harbaugh's primary run stopper on defense. Ross III and Morgan will provide solid all around play on the outside, with senior Royce Jenkins-Stone likely coming in on the 3-4 sets as a hybrid pass rusher.

Michigan's secondary looks to be better this season with the return of touted freshman Jabrill Peppers back in the fold. Though recruited as a corner, he was moved to strong safety and will form a deadly tandem on the back end with returning starter and senior Jarrod Wilson at free safety. In Durkin's new defensive setup, the cornerbacks will mostly be asked to defend in press coverage, so Stanford transfer and senior corner Wayne Lyons will likely pair up with talented junior Jourdan Lewis as boundary corners. Returning starter and smaller defensive back Blake Countess will likely take more of a slot corner role, and will also contribute in nickel and dime situations. Michigan lost former Big Ten Punter of the Year Will Hagerup to graduation, which will force them to hand over the punting duties to graduate transfer Blake O'Neill.

OVERVIEW: Michigan will likely step up in a big way this year with the addition of Jim Harbaugh and the new coaching staff, however playing in the oh-so-tough Big Ten East with uber-talented Ohio State and Michigan State will make it hard for Michigan to get over the hump. Expect a seven to eight win season for the Wolverines. With a talented group of linebackers and secondary, along with an experienced offensive line, Michigan can pile up wins, however with the lack of quality quarterback play and offensive weapons, it may be difficult for Michigan to outgun the likes of the Buckeyes, Spartans, and could easily bow out on tough road games against Penn State and Minnesota.

Projected Record: 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten

TE Jake Butt

LB (35) Joe Bolden 

SS Jabrill Peppers

 DT Bryan Mone

 LB Desmond Morgan

NFL 3 Round Mock Draft: 1st Round

The NFL Draft is less than a week away, and it seems like draft season flew by. With the annual chatter about the top of the draft picks now pretty much done, and the "Who are the Buccaneers are choosing?" questions can be put to rest, we can focus in on who every team will select with their first three picks, starting, of course, with the first round.

I love doing these mock drafts because it allows me to go pick by pick and analyze each team's biggest needs, but also recognize that it is always important for franchises to select the best player available, regardless of position. 

So here you are, part one of three of my official and last NFL mock draft, the second and third round mocks will be published throughout this last week leading up to Thursday night. 

*All images taken from Bleacher Report 

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State

Picking Jameis Winston here for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is all but done, as it has been repeatedly reported that Winston is the Tampa's and Head Coach Lovie Smith's guy. He is the most pro-ready passer in this year's draft class and may qualify for the best pocket passer we have seen since Andrew Luck was the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. His instincts and play-calling in the backfield have been compared to the likes of Peyton Manning, who basically plays the position with his brain and not his arm. Winston has decent mobility, although never relies on his footwork or foot speed to make plays happen. The Buccaneers need to turn the page on their franchise, and with a solid defense in place, along with two top notch receivers with Vincent Jackson and recent rookie Mike Evans, thier rebuild could speed up quickly if Winston develops fast and can contribute that Pro Bowl protential he has from Day 1 in sunny Florida.

2. Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon

While many of the NFL Draft talking heads around the country think this pick could be a complete tossup, it really isn't. When you give it a second and more thorough look, the Titans can really only go in two directions here. Grab their franchise gunner and electrifying signal caller in Marcus Mariota, or select the long, powerful, and versatile defensive lineman Leonard Williams from USC. The reason this is the case is because the only other prospects that I consider to be value picks at number two is two edge rushers in Dante Fowler Jr. from Florida and Vic Beasley from Clemson. The Titans signed two great edge rushers in free agency this offseason with the acquisitions of Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo, so they can cross of that from their long list of needs as a franchise. The biggest knock on Mariota's game is that he has never taken a snap under center besides when he is kneeling down at the end of football games. He played in a wide open spread at Oregon, however with the right coaching and a quarterback whisperer of a head coach like Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee could cure that of Mariota, and rather quickly, for that matter. The Titans also need to turn the page on their franchise and they cannot resist his combination of discipline and playmaking ability as a signal-caller. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Dante Fowler Jr., Florida

I was actually quite confounded with this pick. This one mainly comes down to two players fighting to become former Seahawks defensive coordinator's   "Leo" edge rusher. Although Vic Beasley brings much higher floor to the NFL and may end up being the safer pick here, Fowler Jr. has incredible upside and the ability to thrive into one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Fowler Jr. is expecting to hear his name called third overall and is the perfect type of player for Coach Gus Bradley. Fowler Jr. may actually be one of the most versatile prospects in this year's draft class, as the Florida Gators lined him up all over the field, at defensive end, outside linebacker and even at defensive tackle. He is very aggressive with his hands and leaves the dirt in a flash. Although he will have to stronger and more controlled at the next level, he uses his lower body strength and balance to explode into the pocket. The main thing he will have to work on while he develops early on in his NFL career is play recognition, mainly on run plays, as he often blatantly misses the ball-carrier due to insufficient run defense. He is in luck however, as Bradley is a linebacker whisperer and will use him for what he does best, getting after the signal-caller.

4. Oakland Raiders: DL Leonard Williams, USC

Unlike others I do not think that Leonard Williams is the best overall player in the year's draft, although he is my top rated defender. At 6-5 and 302 pounds, Williams possesses the physical traits that can repeatedly intimidate not only opposing quarterbacks, but the beefy offensive lineman protecting him. Williams uses his unbelievable quickness and large frame to overpower lineman at the point of attack and can equip his long wingspan to grab and claw at opposing ball carriers trying to slip through a crack in the defensive line.  A Raider fan as a child, it would be cool to see Williams go to his hometown squad. The former Trojan compares well to the likes of Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers, very good company to the broad-should beast from USC. Although they are very hard to find, Williams has one major weakness that can be fixed and finessed. He doesn't boast the best balance and leverage, and this leads to his rather inability to bat balls down from the air.

5. Washington Redskins: Edge Rusher Vic Beasley, Clemson

Out goes Brian Orakpo, and the already porous Redskin defense becomes more horrendous. If you enter Vic Beasley, you not only add a fierce and powerful playmaker at the edge rushing position, but you create a new identity on defense. Another thing Beasley could bring to the Capitol is a new face of the franchise. The former Clemson product has never had off-the-field issues and is a great leader and team player. Beasley compares to Von Miller, who like Vic, does not do very well in run defense, but is a disruptive force on passing downs.

6. New York Jets: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama

In my opinion, the conversation for the top wide receiver in this year's class between Kevin White and Amari Cooper is an absolute tossup. Cooper is a very versatile pass catcher who can play all over the field. Brandon Marshall isn't getting any younger and Decker is limited to playing the possession wide receiver slot. His premier route-running ability and soft hands would work wonders for whoever lines up under center in the Big Apple.

7. Chicago Bears: WR Kevin White, West Virginia

Like many, I do think that the Bears need to shore up their entire defense. And when I say that.. I mean every single position could use an upgrade. But when you consider their franchise's state at this time and with a new GM, it's best to pick the best player available. Kevin White is a magnificent talent with great hands, footwork, and the desire to improve. Although the Bears have Alshon Jeffery as their primary pass catcher, pairing the young athlete with the likes of Kevin White would make the passing attack deadly again. Cutler is the incumbent starter at quarterback again, but having White as a primary deep threat could at least make the veteran passer and his solid deep ball better.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky

At 6-4, 269 pounds, Dupree has the beastly size and speed to be a mauler in both the passing and run defense. He ran a 4.56 at the combine and is an absolute freak of a player. With the extreme falls that fellow edge pass rushers Randy Gregory and Shane Ray will experience, Dupree can catapult into the third best pass rushing player in this draft class. Unlike Beasley and Fowler Jr. Dupree is labeled as a defensive end, although he can play at outside linebacker too due to his incredible speed and footwork. Beasley and Fowler may not possess enough power and size to play at defensive end and with a hand in the dirt at the next level. New head coach Dan Quinn gets his primary pass rusher that the worst pass rushing team in the NFL last team were not able to utilize.

9. New York Giants: OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa

With the fall of the two other elite pass rushers, the Giants go best available but fill a huge need in the process. In order for Eli Manning to work his magic with the two stud, young wide outs he can equip, he needs time in the pocket. Scherff can simply overpower and make defensive tackles non-factors in the run game. The G-Men could elect to shift to the right tackle position to accommodate Justin Pugh being a better guard than tackle, but either way Scherff will be a heck of a football player and leader in the trenches.

10. St. Louis Rams: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State

The Rams are in a very interesting position here, as there really isn't a solidified right pick here. They could look at Andrus Peat if they want to address their offensive linemen problem, but they could also look to shore up their weaknesses in the secondary. Waynes could end up being the very best player available in this situation, as his cover skills along with great support in the run game could pose too much talent to pass up and at a position that the organization has neglected for too long. With Finnegan's days as an elite corner coming to an end, the Rams need to find a top-notch talent to pair next to interception-machine Janoris Jenkins.

11. Minnesota Vikings: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville

As a Packer fan, I am sad to say that this Vikings organization is completely heading in the right direction. Mike Zimmer is a defensive mastermind and a great leader at head coach. Teddy Bridgewater has proven to be a safe and decent pick to be the franchise quarterback, but he doesn't have many reliable and dangerous weapons in the passing game. Enter a familiar face in Parker, who teamed up with Bridgewater in college, and the Vikings have a significant deep threat and effective underneath receiving threat for years to come.

12. Cleveland Browns: DT Danny Shelton, Washington

As one of the very worst defensive units against the run last year, the Browns could really use a monstrous nose tackle to take up space and disrupt on every down. Shelton was a great tackler at Washington and could anchor a young and improving defensive line that could greatly balance Cleveland's solid secondary. Without either top two quarterbacks somehow still on the board, the Browns are forced to grab the best talent and position of need at pick 12.

13. New Orleans Saints: Edge Randy Gregory, Nebraska

 

I was having trouble forecasting this pick because I am not sure if Gregory is still on the Saints board at this point. Even with his failed drug test and his other off the field issues, his talent trumps all of that in this situation. His speed and undervalued strength off the edge is deadly and an absolutely needed toy for Rob Ryan to play with for a team lacking in any sort of pass rush.

14. Miami Dolphins: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford

With the top corner Trae Waynes off the board here, the Dolphins need to address another top need and grab their left tackle of the future. JuWan James was a nice pick to man the right side last season, but Peat may be the best and most reliable pick for teams looking for the best player to protect the blindside of their quarterback for years to come.

15. San Francisco 49ers: WR Breshad Perriman, UCF

The Niners grab the blazing speed of Perriman here to shore up their wide receiver unit after losing Michael Crabtree this offseason. Perriman still needs a lot of developing in route-running, but he is a nice deep threat and rarely drops passes off of good throws. As the Niners start to rebuild their offense with new, more dangerous weapons to surround Kaepernick, Perriman is a welcome addition.

16. Houston Texans: CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

With Marcus Peters struggling with questions about commitment and off the field issues, Johnson is the next best corner in the draft and one that the Texans would be happy to nab him here. Some, including myself, consider Johnson to be the best off cornerback and the best cover man in zone coverages, given his awesome abilities to diagnose plays and make up room in space quickly. Despite having a slight frame and limited upper body strength, which needs to change once at the next level, he is a solid tackler.

17. San Diego Chargers: DT Malcom Brown, Texas

I could see the Chargers potentially intrigued by Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon in this slot, but they continue to shore up their problems along the defensive line. Without many prime run stoppers on their roster, it is essential that the Bolts fix this issue, and their may not be a better prospect left on the board than Brown here. He fits better in a 4-3 scheme, but his work as a run stopper is lights out and he takes up a lot of space in the trenches. With offensive mastermind Mike McCoy at the helm, San Diego can afford to improve their defense before touching up their offensive positions.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma

When your wide receivers do not catch a SINGLE passing touchdown a year ago, you know you need to upgrade the positional group. With this selection, they get a ready-made red zone monster of a wide out in Green-Beckham. Although he does own his own set of off the field issues, his skill set along with his size and instincts may be too much for a team so needy for playmakers on the outside.

19. Cleveland Browns: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia

After messing up their top pick at running back a few years ago, they go with a more injury-prone yet faster and more explosive runner in Gurley this time around. The fact of the matter is that the Browns are going to have to play out the Manziel experiment for at least another season, so they should grab him some playmakers to surround him while he continues developing. He is still healing, but Gurley presents the type of play that Peterson displays, as they share that awesome combination of speed and power.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: DL Arik Armstead, Oregon

As you know, it is no secret that Chip Kelly loves choosing Oregon Ducks, and Armstead not only is a huge positional need for Philly, but also brings great value to this spot of the draft. He has a huge frame and is 6'7, bringing incredible strength and power to the position. He is very versatile and can shift over to defensive end in an instant. He has a very large ceiling, but also presents a lot of bust potential, making this a risky pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: SS Landon Collins, Alabama

It seems like Collins is dropping from being a potential top ten pick to sliding all the way out of the first round. I am not sure why that happened, but it could because he is a major liability in coverage and is very small at 6'0. He is still a thumper and a powerful in the box tackler who gives it all in run support. The Bengals continue to field one of the most intimidating and physically imposing defenses in the NFL, and the selection of Collins would only add to that.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Marcus Peters, Washington

Peters is a great cover corner, who could have been a top fifteen pick if not for getting kick off of the Husky football team midseason last year. For a team like the Steelers who need cornerback help in the worst way, you can kindly and swiftly overlook that situation. Peters presents a great cornerback for pass coverage and in press schemes, can be an imposing supporter in run defense. For a defense still trying to get younger and faster, that sounds awesome.

23. Detroit Lions: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State

With Williams, Shelton, and Brown off the board, the Lions grab Goldman from the Seminoles. He is actually  great fit in Detroit's 4-3 defensive scheme, as he works best in an under tackle position and may not be big enough to play the nose. He is a stout run defender, who excels at blowing up running lanes and holding on to ball carriers. The lack of a pas rush has significantly hurt his stock but Goldman is a great defensive tackle for a team that badly need one.

24. Arizona Cardinals: CB Byron Jones, Connecticut

I was considering an offensive lineman and a running back here, but it seems as if the Cardinals are going to go defense with this pick. Byron Jones broke a World Record at the combine, as he is officially holds the longest broad jump ever recorded. Add that to his blazing 40 times, and you are talking about one of the very best athletes in the entire draft class. Although he needs to develop as a cover corner, his tackling and ability to keep up with the very fastest receivers is the only reason the Cardinals need to pair this stud opposite of Patrick Peterson.

25. Carolina Panthers: OT Erick Flowers, Miami (FL)

This is one of those teams where I am absolutely sure about what position it attacks in the first round. I was having trouble deciding between Flowers and fellow Florida collegiate athlete D.J. Humphries from the Gators, but I decided on the more sure thing. Humphries may be the better left tackle prospect, but Flower is a better overall blocker, being much superior in the run game. The Panthers will have a long leash on him, allowing him to develop into the full-time starter over time.

26. Baltimore Ravens: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

I love this fit. The offensive line, zone blocking scheme, pro-style offense, it all is perfect for the type of game Gordon brings to the game. With Forsett reaching the age of 30 soon, Gordon can ease into the position, developing as a pass blocker and as a catcher as well. He would be my early pick for rookie of the year, and with an effective quarterback in place, a luxury he did not have at UW, he could be all the more dangerous at the next level. His vision and breakaway speed is superior even to Todd Gurley, and with some added muscle, he could develop into the complete package of a runner.

27. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jalen Collins, LSU

The Cowboys could look for some defensive line help here, but with no great ones on the board they grab Jalen Collins, a rather inexperienced but extremely talented corner from LSU, who has only started ten collegiate games and has some injury concerns. The Cowboy secondary is in a flux, and with Collins and all the better corner prospects already off the board, I like for Collins to leave now. Given his skill at locating the ball and his great tackling skills, the Cowboys could use him in their unimposing group of corners.

28. Denver Broncos: OL Cameron Erving, Florida State

I could see the Broncos going defensive line or linebacker here, but without premier players at the position here, I am afraid they will have to start and improve their porous interior offensive line, especially with how old and frail Manning is getting, he cannot take many more hits. Erving is a very powerful blocker and can be very effective in both the run and pass protection. He can move the pile and keep Manning upright, and brings solid value at this point in the draft.

29. Indianapolis Colts: FS Damarious Randall, Arizona State

This could definitely be a reach, but the Colts need so much safety help, and Randall is the only one that could conceivably, at least from Day 1. He can be their center fielder and provide help over the top of their productive cornerbacks. If Randall is on the board here, which I am 100% sure he will be, the Colts have to nab him.

30. Green Bay Packers: OLB Eli Harold, Virginia

This is a pick that may confuse a lot of my fellow Packer fans, but I just do not see a cornerback or inside linebacker with the value to be selected here. With that in mind, Ted Thompson goes best player available and spots an incredible and underrated talent at outside linebacker in Harold. At 6-3 and 247 pounds, Harold may be lacking in a little weight but when he adds muscle to his frame in the NFL, he could be a beast of a pass rusher. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports compared Harold as a smaller version of an Ezekiel Ansah, and I agree with him. After he recorded a 4.60 40 time he shows he has the speed and footwork to be a great compliment to Clay Matthews once Julius Peppers hangs up the cleats.

31. New Orleans Saints: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

After addressing their pass rushing hole earlier in the first round, the Saints can now focus on adding a talented pass catching toy for Brees to utilize. His size compares well to Marquis Colston and he possesses great catching ability whether it is going up for the ball in the air or underneath in the open field. He ran a solid 4.44 40 time, and the Saints can utilize his combination of speed and size to replace the huge losses in the passing game left by Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills.

32. New England Patriots: CB Ronald Darby, Florida State

I know I went a little cornerback crazy after putting now 6 corners in the first round, and Seminole crazy with my fourth first round Florida State prospect on the first night, but I like this selection for the defending Super Bowl champions. They just lost Darelle Revis to free agency and is in need of a top notch corner to complete their defense. He is a great cover guy and a decent tackler in space. This could be a reach, but after watching this kid run a 4.38 40, I see his potential as a great corner in this league, especially under the guidance of Bill Bellicheck.

Packers Offseason Position by Position Preview: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Projected Starters:

Jordy Nelson, Kansas State

Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers share chemistry unlike any other wide receiver-quarterback duo in the NFL. It actually reminds me a bit of Marvin Harrison's unique connection with Peyton Manning when the duo was tearing up AFC defenses when they were Colts. Nelsons combination of knowledge, underrated speed and strength, and is a proven winner who usually lines up across from some of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

GM Ted Thompson signed #87 to a 4 year 39 million dollar deal last offseason, and I am happy to say that we will have Jordy in Green Bay for at least another few years. That deal is looking like a bargain, as Nelson put up career highs last season in Green Bay, racking up 1,519 yards on an astounding 98 catches, and reached the end zone 13 times for the Green and Gold. He will and has already proven to be Rodger's most reliable target, and one of the most consistent pass-catchers in the entire league.

Randall Cobb, Kentucky

In my opinion, the Packers just need to resign Randall Cobb. It's a simple to propose, and easy to defend as the four year veteran has provided the Aaron Rodgers-led club with endless versatility, acting as a knife, as he rips through countless defenses. Whether he is coming out of the backfield on specially designed plays, or he is extending plays with the best passer in the league at it, he provides the Packers with something they haven't had in a receiver in quite a while, maybe ever. Although lacking in height and size, standing at 5'10 and weighing 192 pounds, No. 18 had his best season a year ago last season, compiling 1,287 yards on 91 catches and scored 12 times, which situated him as a top three scorer at his position in the entire league.

Take the history of recent receivers to leave the frozen land of northern Wisconsin, like Greg Jennings and James Jone, for a higher paying job. Have their statistics benefited at all? Not at all. Are they regarded as great receivers in the NFL anymore? Not in my book. So whether Cobb feels a different way, or wants to receive more money, he will have to live with the fact that he may be leaving behind a great, winning team, and potentially a few Super Bowl Rings in the process.

Davante Adams, Fresno State

Adams had a great rookie season last year, compiling 446 yards on 38 catches and scored 3 times. These stats look great once you consider #17 played third fiddle to the dynamic receiving duo of Nelson-Cobb, who amounted over 2,800 yards and 25 touchdowns together. Adams is a quality pass-catcher who uses all of his 6'1, 215 pounds to make difficult catches, and he uses his above average speed to outrun many corners. 

Adam's also practices solid ball security, as he didn't fumble once last season, and didn't drop as many passes as was expected from the second round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He seems to have already established a connection with Aaron Rodgers, evident by Rodgers spontaneous fake spike in the last second road victory against the Miami Dolphins, in which Adams was on the receiving end of the out of nowhere risky play call.

Richard Rodgers, California

Richard Rodgers was improving as a pass catcher and a route runner throughout the season and had a very productive postseason, even grabbing a perfectly thrown Rodgers ball for the game-sealing touchdown in the divisional round victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Although he doesn't present the matchup problems that Jermichael Finley and the stud tight ends in the league today pose, but he has proven to be a nice safety blanket for Aaron Rodgers, whether in the red zone or in the open field as a secondary option.

Free Agency

Whether the Packers decide to spend the likely double digit annual contract for their star slot receiver, they won't be looking at any other wide receivers on the free agency market. 

Their main goal is to resign Cobb, and there will potentially be a very large bidding war for the slot receiver. It is reported that the Jaguars and Raiders are going to be huge players for the former Kentucky receiver's services and both franchises have a lot of money to throw around. The Packers could look for a rangy, strong, and experienced tight end in free agency. The name I have heard thrown around is Charles Clay, who has experienced some solid seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Due to some shaky quarterback play, however, his play was never rewarded on the stat sheet, as his stats throughout his first four years in the NFL. At 6-3, and 255 pounds, he isn't as big as Rodgers, however has shown to be a better and more reliable pass-catcher, especially on third down.

NFL Draft

The Packers could go in a lot of different directions in the draft, as general manager Ted Thompson has a great track record of drafting receiving weapons after the first round. The thing is, however, is that the Packers will most likely, and should, draft an interior defensive lineman and an inside linebacker with its first two picks, given how big of needs those two positions are for the 23rd ranked rushing defense in the league last season. 

At the receiver position, the Packers may not need to draft a wide receiver unless they are unable to resign Randall Cobb. However, as this is a offseason preview, we have to take a look at every possible avenue that could occur. I will only be looking at third round and later here, because as stated before, the Packers need help on defense, particularly in the middle of the field. Justin Hardy from Eastern Carolina had an incredibly productive season in college, as he was the number one option for his decent quarterback in Shane Carden, and he amounted to 4,541 yards on 387 catches and 35 catches throughout his four years at college. 

Ted Thompson loves that kind of production and many draft experts and scouts don't think Hardy will leave the board until Day three. Another name to keep an eye out for is Ty Montgomery from Stanford, who has not received much media attention, yet deserves it. At 6-0, and a huge 221 pounds, Montgomery could present many mismatches over the middle for Aaron Rodgers. He can line up in the slot and all the way outside, and his versatility and great footwork is valued traits for the Packers and the rest of the league, so don't think that the Packers are not keeping an eye on this talented kid. 

At tight end, their isn't a lot of star power once Maxx Williams from Minnesota and Clive Walford from Miami leave the board, although the Packers may give some later round prospects some looks. Blake Bell, a former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, switched over to tight end and overpowered opponents using his huge 6-6 and 252 pounds completely to his advantage. He can use his physicality to get open in space and stretch over smaller defenders.

Projected Depth 

Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

Abbrederis unfortunately went down with a torn ACL in late training camp last summer and was lost for his entire rookie campaign. He brings a great sense of security, toughness, and intelligence to the Packers that will earn him some playing time, especially as Jarrett Boykin is a restricted free agent and did not produce great numbers last season. The former Badger standout can basically play from anywhere on the field, whether as the X receiver, Y receiver, or in the slot, he is as versatile as a role playing wide receiver comes. 

Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley State

Jeff Janis was only a real contributor on special teams last season due to the talented receivers in front of him that were tearing up the field for the Packers, however Janis has the skills and athleticism to be the next great seventh round pick from Thompson to turn into an incredible success. We got a taste of his speed in the preseason last year and he was easily running away from defenders in open space. What is so enticing about the former D-II receiver is his untapped potential. We just happened seen all that he has to offer, and he can be a valuable contributor in the next couple of seasons in Green Bay. He is reminding many Packer fans, including myself,  and experts around the country of a less-heralded and younger Jordy Nelson, due to his vertical speed and underrated jumping ability, as well as a quality catch radius in the air.

Andrew Quarless, Penn State

Quarless played in many key situations last year and, for the most part, started throughout the 2014 season. However Quarless isn't in the upper echelon of starting tight ends in the NFL, and the truth of the matter is that Richard Rodgers, who is younger and more athletic, has more upside and talent for the position. Quarless will still be a solid role player in the Packers high-powered offense and the Packers can use his on the line blocking to its full advantage. 

Conclusion

The thing to take away from this is three essential factors: that the Packers absolutely would benefit from retrieving Cobb's services for years to come, that they have many options, whether in the draft or already on the team, to replace the stud slot receiver, and that the Packers have viable and relatively talented depth in today's NFL. Having the likes of Quarless, Janis, and Abbrederis possibly as reserves is a scary thought for opposing teams, and a refresher for a longtime fan like me, as they are talented, reliable pass catchers who really know the offensive system that the Packers continue to run.

* All pictures are from the following sources (in order):
packersnews.com
kentuckysportsradio.com
espn.com
cbssports.com

Packers Offseason Position by Position Preview: Running Backs and Fullbacks

Projected Starters: Eddie Lacy, Alabama

Eddie Lacy has become an absolute beast in the NFL, offering the Packers a strong inside the tackles bell cow who has already developed solid pass-catching skills, something that is definitely a priority in Green Bay's uptempo system and with Aaron Rodgers under center. 

Lacy doesn't provide top-notch speed but when he gets out into the open it is hard to slow down the 5-11, 230 pound running back. Just last season he recorded 1,139 yards on 246 carries and reached the end zone nine times. He also averaged a very solid 4.6 yards per carry, and proved to be one of the hardest running backs to take down in the NFL. He has reminded many experts and analysts of Marshawn Lynch, due to their similar measurables and style of play.

As long as Eddie Lacy is healthy and producing at the rate he has through his firs two seasons in Green Bay, he will be starting behind Aaron Rodgers, and will consistently take pressure off the Super Bowl-winning and two-time MVP signal-caller. 

John Kuhn, Shippensburg 

Kuhn has been a fan favorite in Green Bay due to his smart play and loyalty to the team. He has been a remarkably productive blocker for both Eddie Lacy in the Packers zone blocking offensive scheme as well as in pass protection of Aaron Rodgers. 

The 6-0, 250 pound ten year veteran had a productive season from a fullback, especially in today's NFL, where the position is slowly fading away, with multiple teams not using fullbacks in their offensive schemes. He had 85 yards on 24 carries, averaging 3.5 yards rush attempt and reaching pay dirt once last season. 

Kuhn is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and you would have to assume that, with all the other free agents currently on the mind of GM Ted Thompson, Kuhn cannot be considered a top priority for the Packers this offseason. Expect Kuhn to not receive a deal until the middle of April to the end of April, and it will be yet another one year agreement, as Kuhn is on the wrong side of 30, and isn't exactly talented enough to warrant a multi-year contract from financial wizard Ted Thompson. 

I am as excited as everyone to continue bellowing "Kuhn!!" every time #30 receives the ball, even if it is only for another season. 

Free Agency

James Starks will be returning to Green Bay for the 2015-2016 season, as he is still under contract for this season. That is a great thing to hear for the Packer faithful, as Starks has been a solid contributor and a nice change-of-pace back since the Packers selected power running Eddie Lacy in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Luckily for the Packers, DuJuan Harris is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, which means that he may only sign with his prior team, granted the Packers decide to give Harris the minimum qualifying offer for a second year player. 

The free agency class for the running back position doesn't possess many sleeper options who will warrant cheap contracts, so expect the Packers to offer Harris the minimum qualifying offer and move their thought process to more pressing needs that have to be addressed immediately this offseason. 

NFL Draft Options

The question remains, however, if the Packers do not want DuJuan Harris back running the football on the Frozen Tundra every Sunday, who will occupy the third spot on the depth chart come Week 1?

Well, in my opinion, the Packers do resign Harris to the minimum amount required, however, as a crazy Packer fan who loves to think of ever single scenario possible, I have to consider the fact that the Packers could turn down Harris and turn to the draft. 

The Packers have so many needs, that if they do draft a running back, it will occur in the later rounds, more specifically in the sixth or seventh round. Two names come to my head immediately. These two running backs share three traits: they both are projected late round picks (6th-7th round), they both come from the SEC, and both are small, yet speedy backs. Those two names are Josh Robinson from Mississippi State and Trey Williams out of Texas A&M. Robinson stands at 5-8 and 217 pounds, and worked wonders for Coach Dan Mullen at MSU, racking up solid statistics, even with dual threat Dak Prescott at quarterback. Williams was so impressive at the combine, as he had a top three performance for a running back for the 40 time and, although standing at 5-7 and weighing 195 pounds, he showed the ability to make quick decisions in between the tackles and showed nice vision and burst while at Texas A&M. 

Projected Backup: James Starks, Buffalo

Starks has proven to be a nice complement to Eddie Lacy and still has the capability to lead the Packers offense for entire drives at a time while lacy takes a breather, a valuable trait that every NFL backup running back should strive to possess. With DuJuan harris returning, the Packers have a complete stable of quality backs, as Harris proved he belonged at the highest level during the Packers playoff run the year before they selected Eddie lacy in the second round. 

Conclusion

The Packers seem set at the running back position, as the trio of Lacy, Starks, and Harris should provide offensive coordinator and associate head coach tom Clements a lot of versatility and flexibility at the position, something the Packers haven't been able to consistently say about the franchises' stable of runners behind the quarterback. 

Packers Offseason Position by Position Preview: Quarterbacks

Projected Starter: Aaron Rodgers, California 

The Packers have the luxury of employing the best quarterback in the NFL and possibly the most accurate passer the National Football League has ever witnessed. His fluidity around the pocket, pinpoint accuracy, and pure arm strength make him without a doubt the best signal-caller on the planet. 

Rodgers was injured throughout the home stretch of the regular season and for the duration of the postseason, and still put up incredible numbers. He willed the Packers to an exciting divisional round victory over the Cowboys at Lambeau Field to end the season undefeated while playing in the state of Wisconsin. 

He had one of the most efficient seasons at the quarterback position, and in fact had the most productive and consistent year while playing at home, throwing for zero interceptions, while tossing 25 touchdowns. 

The Packers are the most set at the starting quarterback position of any other franchise in football, and all members of the Packer faithful should feel beyond comfortable about the way their franchise is trending, as they will be backing the top quarterback for quite a while. 

Free Agency

The Packers two backup quarterbacks from the last two seasons, Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien, will both come off the books this offseason, leaving a very large hole behind Aaron Rodgers at the signal-calling position.

The question that every Packer fan wants to know is which one of these fan favorites are the Packers going to bring back?

If I had to put my money on either of these quarterbacks, it would be Scott Tolzien, as he is a younger quarterback with a strong arm and more potential to thrive into a solid backup for years to come.

The Packers could also elect to look at the free agency market for the quarterback position, however the class this offseason looks mighty bleak. The Packers may take a look at guys like Jake Locker, who at the age of 26, still has some quality upside, as continued stretches of injuries have derailed the dual threat gunner out of Washington's season.

NFL Draft Options

There are actually some very interesting directions in which the Packers could go if they part ways with Flynn and Tolzien, and decide not to sign a brand new gunner from the unrestricted free agency class.

The prospect that has often been linked to the Packers lately has been a projected late round quarterback with the name of Brandon Bridge from South Alabama (Yeah I had to do some research on his game too.) He is an insanely athletic hurler from the small school. He is very raw, which makes the situation in Green Bay particularly bright for the southpaw. He may not be drafted, due to not attending top university, experience, and lack of even decent accuracy . The truth is, however, that he stands at 6-4, and is very strong at 226 pounds and is only 21 years old. Quarterbacks have thrived in a similar physical position as Bridge before, and with the great quarterback developing tools that the Packers coaching staff have with Tom Clements and Mike McCarthy, the Packers could flip the athlete for a higher draft selection in the future.

Throughout the college football season this last fall, I had a football crush on the former Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty. He was just such a classy guy, and gave it his all on the football field, game after game. Petty kills deep zones over the middle with short, quick passes that would pair up nicely with slot speedster Randall Cobb in the mix, of course only if the Packers decide to spend money on #18, but more on that in your wide receivers position preview post.

Projected Backup: Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin

Conclusion

All in all, the Packers will be set if the Packers sign the younger, more promising former Badger quarterback Scott Tolzien. He is comfortable in the Packers offensive schemes and isn't getting impatient on the bench. The Packers should be set at the quarterback position for a long time, as Aaron Rodgers should have the Green and Gold in Super Bowl contention for the rest of his career, a colorful one already that hopefully will be spent all in the small town of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

7 round Packers Mock Draft

The Packers lost in a bitter defeat in the NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks, costing them a chance at hoisting the Lombardi trophy for the fifth time in the franchise's history.

As an avid Packer fan, I will not dwell on the past and turn my head and look forward to the NFL Draft, where the Packers front office, led by Ted Thompson, will look for the NFL's next best stars to fill holes on the roster.

In this article, I will go through each Packers draft selection, and pinpoint the prospects they should try to grab in each round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

This is hard, as the draft can go in all different directions, but this will give fellow Packer fans a few names to know and keep in mind for each of the rounds.

1st Round: Linebacker Denzel Perryman, Miami

Denzel Perryman is probably the hardest hitting inside linebacker in the draft class and he uses is speed and athleticism to take down ball carriers between the hashes. He is adept at stopping runners behind the line of scrimmage and it is rare when you see a back overpower the Hurricane linebacker. He also adds a little pass rushing to the table and would be a great addition due to his proficiency at stopping mobile quarterbacks, something the Packers have struggled mightily at. He brings a level of intensity on every play that the Packers haven't had at the inside linebacker position in quite a while and Perryman will be a great candidate to captain the defense for years to come.

2nd Round: Defensive Tackle Carl Davis, Iowa

What makes me love Carl Davis so much is his motor. He gives his all on every play and is an incredible pass rusher for his size and speed. I watched him against the Badgers, and he was running all the way down the field with the running backs. He takes up a lot of space and can make impact plays in the backfield. His 6-5 321 pound frame helps him win battles up front, and take advantage of poor center play. He played in a 4-3 system in college, but I think he can make the switch to the 3-4 nose tackle position effortlessly. 

3rd Round: Cornerback Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest

Some consider Johnson to be gone by now but if he indeed falls this far the Packers should snatch him up while they can. Johnson is a great, effective tackler in space who has quick feet and uses his long strides to keep up with even the fastest receivers. At 6-1, he has the hight that Thompson loves in his corners and plays man to man about as good as any other cover man in this years class. He played off man at Wake Forest which allowed him to watch plays unfold in front of him so he would be able to pounce on the receiver or ball. Johnson doesn't do well while forced to break off of blocks and doesn't provide a whole lot of support in run defense. With some fixing, Johnson could become the next great great cover corner in Green Bay.

4th Round: Outside Linebacker Jordan Hicks, Texas

At 6-2 and a thin 241 pounds, Jordan Hicks excels at beating the offensive tackle on the edge, and reminds me a bit of a sleeker and faster Nick Perry, although the current Packer has the advantage in terms of strength. He is a flexible, balanced pass rusher, who uses his compact frame to add some pop on most of his hits. He has had some injury issues in the past, as he missed 19 games in the 2012-2013 seasons due to hip and achilles injuries. He struggles to break off of blockers once they have a firm grip on Hicks, and is a big liability in pass coverage. Hicks would fit perfectly in the Packers outside linebacker/pass rushing rotation as just a speed rusher who can force a QB to stick in the pocket and potentially force bad throws once he gets his hands on the signal- caller.

5th Round: Tight End Wes Saxton, South Alabama

The Packers may have a gem at tight end in Richard Rodgers, a rookie last season out of California, however, they may need another athlete to step up and compete at the tight end position to make the Packers already incredible offense more complete. Saxton is one of those rare prospects that have incredible upside, yet will not hear their name called until the later rounds due to going to a school who competes against lesser competition. After watching tape on Saxton, what stood out to me was in balanced athleticism. He has incredible strength, yet has unique speed for a guy of his size and has good leverage on his initial burst. One reason that Saxton will drop this late is because of rawness to the game of football. He has a tendency to drop open passes and gives up on routes to quickly. With a year or two of instruction in Green Bay, expect Saxton to be a stud. He will also be able to contribute early on special teams. 

Sixth Round: Offensive Tackle Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma

Tyrus Thompson has a chance to rise a couple rounds if he has a good showing at his pro day and combine, however, it is his tendency to make mistakes and not utilize his strength to the full potential that is keeping Thompson from being a second day selection. He also will only be able to play right tackle effectively in the NFL, as the blind-side sacking professionals would tear Thompson a part, and that wouldn't be a reliable fit with Aaron Rodgers as your franchise signal-caller. I guess what intrigues me about Thompson is that he has unbelievable lower body strength and long arms so his problems with strength can be fixed. He also is a mauler in the run game, especially with power backs like Lacy scrapping for every yard they can get. 

Seventh Round: Defensive End Ryan Russell, Purdue

At 6-5, 267 pounds, Russell is a tall and sleek player for his position but makes up for that with his blend of power and versatility against both the run and the pass. He has great initial burst at the point of attack and holds on in gaps to gain leverage on powerful offensive linemen. Purdue University has had recent success at Russell's position as they have sent great players like Cliff Avril, Anthony Spencer, Ryan Kerrigan, and others to the League. He has displayed weaknesses in his game, however, as he needs a lot of time to develop to reach his potential as a pass rusher. 

Review

The Packers have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and with their three headed monster of Rodgers-Lacy-Nelson and potentially add Cobb to the mix with an extension, and that equals to the most dangerous offense in the NFL. If the Packers are able to resign Bulaga as well, that would cement their offensive line as a top five machine in the NFL, as well. Most of their problems come on defense, especially along the front seven and at cornerback for depth. With a successful draft class mainly focused on the front seven talent, the Packers can make the next step and get closer to getting back to the Super Bowl.