The easiest way to explain a draft pick to fans is to compare a player to a curent NFL player.  I've been doing this for the last two years on PackersTalk.com (you can view 2014 here and 2015 here).  They're never perfect and almost by rule, they're quite optimistic.  The reality is that all seven of the players that Ted Thompson selected aren't necessarily going to be stars, starters, or even role players.  

These comparisons are more about the things that these players excel and struggle with than it is a true projection of their NFL "ceiling".  As you can see in the previous two years' comparisons, sometimes these comps work out (HHCD, Linsley), sometimes they do not (Thornton, C. Bradford).

Round 1- Kenny Clark: Bennie Logan, NT, Philadelphia Eagles

Clark is such a difficult athlete to project, because (and this has been talked to death) he is such a young player at such a big man's position.  Clark played nose tackle in UCLA's system without carrying a lot of excess weight.  A lot of nose tackles have a "gut" and you certanily don't see that with Clark.  At 6'3" and 314 pounds, Clark looks a little more like a 4-3 DT at this point, but film study shows that he is plenty comfortable playing a 1-tech nose in a 3-4 system.

It's certainly possible that by the time Clark plays out his contract in Green Bay (he'd be 23 years old), he'll be carrying 325 or 330 pounds.  Right now, however, he does not and it doesn't really show up on film.  If you're looking for deficiencies in Clark's game, being too light and getting pushed around is not among them.  Another very good run defender who plays nose at a lighter weight is Bennie Logan of the Eagles.  Logan is a  serviceable nose tackle who is still looking to develop pass rush at this point in his career.

Clark is a very productive player from a tackle perspective, but not many of those tackles are for loss or are quarterback sacks.  Run defenders are important and Clark might be a very good one right away, but the NFL is a passing league.  Clark has the potential to be a very good player in the NFL, but his ability to affect passing downs will ultimately define his long-term value.

Round 2- Jason Spriggs: Jared Veldheer, OT, Arizona Cardinals

Jared Veldheer was originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders during the height of their obsession with combine measurables.  Like Veldheer, Indiana's Jason Spriggs is a long term project at left tackle that might take a year or two of seasoning.  Possibly because of some early struggle, Veldheer didn't stick with the Raiders but is now a very good player for the Arizona Cardinals.

I wouldn't expect the Packers to make the same mistake, or to need the same early contributions that the Raiders did from Veldheer.  Veldheer came from Division II Hillsdale College.  Spriggs is also from a non-traditional college power at Indiana, though his experience against edge players like Shillique Calhoun and Joey Bosa in the Big Ten should have him a little more prepared for the big time than Veldheer was.  

The hope for the Packers and their fans is that the "seasoning" that Spriggs needs consists of the 2016 season and the 2017 training camp.  With four of their top 6 offensive linemen playing on expiring deals in 2016, Spriggs will play somewhere on the 2017 offensive line.

Round 3- Kyler Fackrell: Paul Kruger, OLB, Cleveland Browns

This comparison borders on "too convenient". Let's find a white-guy outside linebacker and use a whole bunch of cool words like "grit", "motor", "first guy in the weight room, last one to leave".  This really isn't that.  

Fackrell really does play a lot like Kruger.  Kruger (a college defensive end), at this point is the superior pass rusher, but Fackrell is a better player in coverage.  Both are adequate, but not great against the run.  Kruger received a $40 million dollar contract to jump ship from the Super Bowl champion Ravens to play for the Browns in 2013.

The Packers would be elated to get a player who produces at a level commensurate with Kruger, but would be wise to use him a little differently.  Kruger is expected to be a three down player, as anyone who makes $8 million a year in this league should be.  Fackrell (probably like Kruger) should be used on 2nd and 3rd down in a rotation with a better run defender.  Because of elephant edge defenders like Datone Jones and Nick Perry, he should be afforded that luxury with the Packers.

Round 4- Blake Martinez: KJ Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks

Stanford's Blake Martinez and KJ Wright of the Seattle Seahawks have the potential to have more in common than the number 50.  Wright was a fourth round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2011, and Martinez was selected in the fourth round this season by the Green Bay Packers.  

Wright is a little bit longer player than Martinez, at 6'4" in comparison to Martinez's 6'2".  Both players appear to be rock solid in pass coverage, despite a lack of elite measurables.  Neither Martinez or Wright are slouches athletically, but neither player runs the 40 in the mid 4.5s.  Pro Football Focus ranked Martinez as the top coverage linebacker in all of college football in 2015, and ranked Wright 5th in the NFL. 

Wright isn't considered a perennial Pro Bowler, and Martinez might not be either, but pass coverage as a linebacker is a skill that can lead to a long NFL career.  Martinez, like wright, has the potential to make a big impact on special teams before becoming a regular on defense.

Despite Packers' fans pleas for a highly drafted linebacker, the Packers now have three fourth round picks (Martinez, Jake Ryan and Carl Bradford) and an overachieving 7th rounder (Sam Barrington) at the position.  I'd expect the defensive coaching staff to take the next few seasons to see what they have before making a huge investment in the position.

Round 4- Dean Lowry: Mike DeVito, DL, Kansas City Chiefs

At this point of Dean Lowry's development, he projects as a one trick pony in the NFL, but it might be a hell of a trick.  Mike DeVito, formerly of the Jets and Chiefs is a similar player.  Devito is a few inches shorter than Lowry, but Lowry's oddly short arms present the potential that he might not play as "long" as he is tall.

Lowry figures to be a 5-tech run stopper on the strong side of defensive formations, as DeVito has been for the Jets and Chiefs.  Despite his lack of height, DeVito has played in a 3-4 his whole career and made a living out of beating up on guards and tackles on early downs.

It's certainly possible that Lowry could develop the ability to rush the passer, but at this point the Packers figure to use him on early downs as a base 3-4 end to help Kenny Clark control the opposing run game.

Round 5- Trevor Davis: Travis Benjamin, WR, Cleveland Browns

Trevor Davis was the most difficult player to find a comparison for in this draft class.  The dichotomy between his measurables and his production level at California is noticeable, especially because it can't be explained by quarterback play.  Davis is an elite athlete who might not contribute right away in Titletown.

Davis is by no means a dead ringer for Travis Benjamin, as he's three inches taller.  Their path to playing time, though, might be strikingly similar.  Benjamin does two things very well, run deep routes and return kickoffs.  At least right away, that's how Davis is going to have to make an impact on the Packers.

Thompson continued his effort to provide Rodgers with weapons this offseason, adding Davis to former Rams and Titans tight end Jared Cook.

Round 6- Kyle Murphy: Mitchell Schwartz, OL, Kansas City Chiefs

Murphy was my favorite selection by the Packers in this draft.  My hope is that despite his height (6'6"+) he can be a moveable chess piece with the ability to be a plus starter at a number of different positions across the Packers' offensive line.  I had a third round grade on Murphy, who is in my opinion a passable right tackle already.

Mitchell Schwartz has made a career out of being a talented enough player to become one of the highest paid right tackles in football.  Schwartz, also from the Pac-12 is the high end of what Murphy could be.  Schwartz is an inch shorter than Murphy, but both players have the length required to protect the right side while being very good run blockers.  Murphy opened a lot of holes for Christian McAffery and Stepfan Taylor at Stanford.