NFC North Round 1 Analysis: The Green Bay Packers (finally) draft a WR early
Bob McGinn takes a close look at all four of this division's top picks. The Packers could've gotten Jeff Hafley a new piece on D, but infusing this offense with Matthew Golden makes a lot of sense.
By Bob McGinn
The offseason reconstruction of the interior offensive lines in the NFC North Division continued Thursday in the first round of the NFL draft.
That’s when the Minnesota Vikings selected Donovan Jackson, who shortly will take over for veteran Blake Brandel, the worst of the four left guards in the division last season.
Thus, of the 12 starting berths at center and guard among the four teams, the wholesale changes at this point include seven new starters. The newcomers include left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson in Chicago; Christian Mahogany is the nominal new right guard in Detroit; Aaron Banks at left guard in Green Bay, and center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries to go with Donovan Jackson in Minnesota.
The outgoing starters are left guard Teven Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton and right guard Matt Pryor in Chicago, right guard Kevin Zeitler in Detroit, center Josh Myers in Green Bay and center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Dalton Risner and Brandel in Minnesota.
Entering the draft, on paper the new starter counts were seven in Minnesota, six in Chicago, two in Detroit and two in Green Bay.
Here’s an analysis of Day 1 in the draft for the NFC North clubs, beginning with the draft’s host city…
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6)
1/23. MATTHEW GOLDEN, WR, Texas (5-11, 192, 4.32)
The assumption has to be that cornerback Will Johnson of Michigan received a troubling medical report (knee, turf toe). Based on talent, he’s a legitimate Top 20 pick even with all the missed time during a three-year career.