Packers Select Brandon Thompson in Second Round of #MockFour

The Clemson defensive lineman was selected with the 28th pick in the second round of the internet mock draft.

With the selection of Clemson's Brandon Thompson in the second round of the #MockFour internet mock draft, the Packers add depth to the defensive line and fill a need all at the same time.

Playing the part of Packers general manager, Zach Kruse and I were surprised Thompson fell as far as he did in the second round. He was our unanimous choice as the best player available, and we think he provided great value with the 59th overall selection in the Draft.

The one hesitation we have is that Thompson's pass-rush production has been merely average during his college career, and what the Packers could really use is a better pass rush than they did in 2011.

That being said, Thompson's pass rush isn't poor, he's just not the type of guy that's a threat to get double-digit sacks in a season.

What Thompson brings to the table is the ability to be a good run stuffer and can be a three-down player at the next level. He'll play the five-technique (lined up over the offensive tackle) in the base 3-4 defense and then shift inside on passing downs.

There's a line of thinking that Thompson took pressure off of other highly rated pass rushers from Clemson such as DeQuan Bowers in 2010 and Andre Branch in 2011. And if he can do that for players like B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews in Green Bay, that would be great.

Thompson also fits the bill for being a "Packer person" with high character and was a team captain at Clemson.

Other players I considered with the 58th pick were Mississippi tackle Bobby Massie and Virginia cornerback Chase Minnifield.

The Packers #MockFour draft so far...

1.28––Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower

2.28––Clemson defensive lineman Brandon Thompson

0 points
 

Comments (23)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:08 am

I like those first two picks, infusing legit talent with need.

GBP 4 LIFE

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:12 am

I really hope the draft doesn't play out like this.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:16 am

And I'm not criticizing your picks, just won't like it if the draft falls this way. I'd rather have Gilmore and Crick is all.

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:16 am

I read Thompson and Minnefield each have a bad wheel.

Don't know your other options but would have considered George Iloka.

0 points
0
0
Brian Carriveau's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:31 am

Not a fan of Iloka at all. In four years, he was not a big-play guy at Boise, not a big tackle guy. Average measurables. Very stiff and not very fluid compared to other safeties. He's a late-round guy in my opinion. But I've been wrong before.

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

April 17, 2012 at 01:59 pm

I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken...nyuk, nyuk.

Yea, who knows for sure. The Huddle report has a 1st round grade on Iloka. Still don't think I'd go Thompson probably would go w/ DB, Jamell Fleming or Josh Robinson, OT, or A.J Jenkins.

Good DL help available in rounds 3-5: Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Billy Winn et al.

0 points
0
0
Brian Carriveau's picture

April 17, 2012 at 02:03 pm

Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I'm hoping Wolfe slides to us in round three.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 03:13 pm

You mean round 4?

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 03:30 pm

i'm cool with malik, he'll need to add a few pounds

not a wolfe fan, Brian what do you see in him that you like?

0 points
0
0
Brian Carriveau's picture

April 17, 2012 at 04:11 pm

Wolfe has had big-time sack production in college, on par with the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in this year's draft class. I'm not sure any have more career sacks. He's been very healthy throughout his career and he's a high-character person and weight room junkie. And Cincinnati always performs better than expectations.

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 05:13 pm

ok, i can see it. on film he looks like he has issues getting off blocks, and i doubt he has much upside, but i'm open to all the competition at d-line we can get!

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:17 am

to balance out packsmack's comment, this is my dream draft so far!

brewster in the third, brandon taylor in the fourth! keep 'em coming brian and zach!

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:21 am

glad you're not ted, of ted and thompson...nyuk, nyuk.

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:28 am

lmao

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 10:31 am

p.s. i hadn't read that about thompson (although i had read that about minniefield)

thompson has a clean injury history as far as i knew...

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

April 17, 2012 at 01:50 pm

I couldn't find the posting of it which also listed some other drawback. And the Huddle Report has a 4th round grade on him, thinks he could be good but right now a developmental DT, not worthy of going in 2.

0 points
0
0
Cole's picture

April 17, 2012 at 11:07 am

Now snag Derek Wolfe in the third.

0 points
0
0
Lars's picture

April 17, 2012 at 11:37 am

Now get Brandon Thompson (LSU) to replace Collins at safety in the third.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 11:49 am

Collins will be back.

0 points
0
0
ted, of bill and ted's picture

April 17, 2012 at 01:31 pm

brandon taylor*

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 11:43 am

Malik Jackson or Josh Norman next!

0 points
0
0
BubbaOne's picture

April 17, 2012 at 01:32 pm

Yup.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

April 17, 2012 at 07:03 pm

Nevermind, they're both gone. I really hate the way this is playing out.

0 points
0
0