By CHRIS HAVEL

Any of these six players would be a terrific addition to Green Bay’s razor thin defense

The Packers will have several options when they’re on the clock with the 29th pick in this year’s draft.
Their first, best move would be to trade back if possible.
There are too many highly rated cornerbacks, linebackers and running backs not to explore the possibility. An extra pick would afford the Packers tremendous flexibility, and Green Bay GM Ted Thompson has proven to be an adept draft manipulator.
The next-best decision would be to stay put and take the best available player at any of the three levels on defense.
It’s a risky proposition to predict what an NFL team will do with its first-round pick, especially if the pick is at No. 29. However, there are several clues as to what Thompson might do.
The Packers added help at each of the three levels on defense. They signed defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois, linebacker Nick Perry and cornerback Davon House.
Clearly, the Packers recognize their urgent need for defensive help at all three levels. Also, by signing Perry to a fairly sizable free agent contract, it suggests they believe in him, and perhaps that they doubt a top-end edge rusher will be there at 29.
The Packers’ top three players at each level are Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry on the defensive line, Clay Matthews, Kyler Fackrell and Perry at outside (edge) linebacker, and Damarious Randall, Quentin Rollins and House at corner.

It should be obvious that the Packers’ greatest need is cornerback.

They added quality depth with House’s signing, but that doesn’t begin to replace the loss of Sam Shields.
While it is possible that both Randall and Rollins will return to their rookie form and continue to grow into starting-caliber cornerbacks, it is risky to believe both will do so. Ladarius Gunter also played well at times in 2016, but he is limited by mediocre speed and so-so agility and ball skills.
That’s why I think the Packers will select a cornerback at No. 29 with the only exceptions being that one of three players is still available when Green Bay is on the clock.
They are Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton and UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley. I’m not as high on McKinley as I am on the others. Call it UCLA burnout. If each of these three is off the board, I believe the Packers will select one of three cornerbacks at No. 29.
With that said, here are my top six picks to click at No. 29 for the Packers (in order of preference):

1 – Reuben Foster, linebacker, Alabama

Foster is a six-foot, 230-pound wrecking ball. He has the speed to play sideline-to-sideline and the explosiveness to be a legit pass rusher.
Green Bay needs a linebacker that can rush the passer, play the run and cover tight ends and running backs.
Foster can do all three. Despite questions about his off-the-field antics, he’ll likely be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock.

2 – Taco Charlton, defensive end, Michigan

Vidauntae “Taco” Charlton is going to be at worst a solid NFL starter, and at best a potential Pro Bowl pick.
Charlton is a massive man (6-6, 277) and powerful edge rusher who would be a great addition to the front of the Packers’ 3-4 defense. Daniels, Clark and Taco would be a formidable group.
Alas, I believe Charlton also won’t be around at No. 29.

3 – Takkarist McKinley, defensive end, UCLA

McKinley has ideal size (6-2, 250) and quickness as an outside linebacker/edge rusher. He had 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and six pass breakups as a senior.
He would become an immediate starter for the Packers who could probably play either inside or out.

4 – Marlon Humphrey, cornerback, Alabama

This is a prediction: If Humphrey is available at No. 29 – and each of the above is gone, which is likely – he will be heading to Green Bay.
He has pedigree (his father, Bobby, was an All-American at Alabama), athleticism and speed (a 4.41 40-yard dash).
He also is very aggressive with receivers and is unafraid to get up in their face-mask.
I can’t imagine Thompson passing up Humphrey.

5 – Kevin King, cornerback, Washington

King is even bigger (6-3, 200) and almost as fast (4.43 40-yard dash) as Humphrey.
He has excellent size at the position and could be valuable as a perimeter cornerback and also at defending in the slot.

6 – Tre’Davious White, cornerback, LSU

White (5-11, 192) has nice size to go with 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash. He was an all-SEC freshman and continued to ascend.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

By CHRIS HAVEL

Green Bay GM Ted Thompson’s moves last year must be impactive this year

The Packers’ draft-and-develop philosophy receives its keenest scrutiny this time of year.
With the 2017 NFL draft just 10 days away, it’s interesting to look back at what last year’s draft produced.
Going into it, the NFL’s scouts and media experts essentially nailed the Packers’ position of need: Defensive front seven, and in particular the defensive line.
Andrew Billings, the Baylor nose tackle, was the popular choice. The reason was because of B.J. Raji’s decision to retire.
Everyone from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks to Yahoo.com’s Eric Edholm had the Packers’ Ted Thompson selecting a defensive tackle. Billings appeared to be the consensus pick, if he was available, but that wasn’t Thompson’s preference.
Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler and Alabama defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed also were frequently linked to the Packers.
It turns out the Packers’ GM went with UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark. His selection came as a mild surprise but not totally unexpected. In fact, I mentioned Clark on several occasions leading up to last year’s draft.
I felt strongly at the time that the Packers’ defensive line needed an infusion of youth and talent. It turns out Clark, who just turned 21, provided both. After a strong training camp, Clark got off to a strong start, then hit a plateau d and even disappeared a bit in November, but managed to re-emerge for a solid stretch run.
Where would the Packers’ defense be without Clark? They’d be in serious trouble, especially with Letroy Guion awaiting a four-game suspension to start the season. Clark’s development occurred under the radar, whereas Blake Martinez’s was more in the media.
Martinez proved to be what the experts predicted. He was billed as a smart, instinctive player who has possessed leadership skills. Scouts also thought he lacked top-end speed and agility, the type of skills that set apart the average from something much better.
Still, Martinez validated Thompson’s pick by being able to contribute as a rookie. His prospectus for this season is on the rise.
For my part, I’m really curious to see what Kyler Fackrell will bring to the table in his second season. Fackrell, who was coming off an ACL injury from the 2014 opener, didn’t appear to be impeded at all. However, he needs to add considerable strength this offseason.
As a third-round pick, he possessed the size (6-5, 245, and speed – a 4.65 40-yard dash – to be an impactful pass rusher. I suspect the Packers will groom Fackrell to line up on the depth chart behind Clay Matthews, while Jayrone Elliott will be behind Nick Perry on the other side.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the depth chart if Thompson goes with an edge pass rusher at No. 29. That could be a possibility with possible choices such as Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, who would be a slam-dunk decision for me at No. 29.
Watt, who is raw, bears a strong resemblance to Matthews when he came out of college. Watt has strong family lines, a raw-bone, rangy build that can become more powerful and great instincts.
Furthermore, I’d be tempted to double down at linebacker and select Wisconsin’s Vince Biegel, an in-state product who would be a terrific addition in the late-third or fourth round.
The closer the draft gets the more I believe Thompson will choose between a cornerback or edge pass rusher with an interior defensive lineman a distant third choice.Watt would fill the bill.
Meantime, the Packers need to expect and get a lot out of Clark, Fackrell and Martinez this season. For some reason, Fackrell has gone under the radar thus far. That is going to change going into the mini-camps and OTAs.
Third round picks are valuable. That is prize real estate under the Thompson regime. Fackrell, like Clark and Martinez, has room to grow.
It’s up to head coach Mike McCarthy’s staff to develop him and make it happen.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

By CHRIS HAVEL

Green Bay GM Ted Thompson’s flexibility may be its NFL draft salvation in 2 ½ weeks

If NFL scouting departments and myriad experts are correct in their assessment of the 2017 draft, the Packers’ needs coincide with the best, deepest position groups.
This draft appears to be replete with talented prospects at pass rusher, linebacker, defensive back and running back. The Packers have significant needs at each position.
So what is GM Ted Thompson going to do?
While it is folly to try to predict the Packers’ draft moves, especially given when (still 17 days away) and where (the 29^th pick), here are some likely scenarios given Thompson’s history.

Option #1:

The first, best option is to sit tight, let picks come off the board and pounce at No. 29. Given this draft’s composition, odds are a player Thompson truly covets will be available.
As scenarios go, I believe it is the best, if not the sexiest, in terms of landing an immediate impact player on defense.
A year ago, UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark was the Packers’ first-round pick. I liked the pick immediately. I also was in the minority.
Many fans preferred a pass rusher, an inside linebacker or a cornerback last year. They would’ve been wrong for two reasons:

• There is no defensive tackle as good as Clark likely to be available at No. 29 in this draft;
• The pool of pass rushers and cornerbacks is much better, and deeper, at No. 29 this draft than last.

Iowa’s Desmond King and USC’s Adoree’ Jackson are just two of the cornerback prospects that should be there. Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt and Temple’s Hassan Reddick are intriguing rushers.
In a perfect world, Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton will somehow fall to the Packers. Charlton is a 6-foot-6, 278-pound pass rusher who can make plays in the backfield. He would look might good next to Clark.
In fact, Clark proved to be durable and productive while slowly but surely elevating his level of play. Furthermore, Clark played a position of great need (defensive tackle) that would be a barren, unmitigated disaster as a position group without him.
Mike Daniels, Dean Lowry, Christian Ringo, the recently acquired Ricky Jean-Francoise and Letroy Guion (who is suspended the first four games) are all there is besides Clark.
Datone Jones is a Viking and defensive tackle Ego Ferguson, the Bears’ 51^st pick in the 2015 draft, failed his physical last week.
Ultimately, I believe Thompson will sit tight at No. 29 and select either a pass rusher or cornerback.

Option #2:

Thompson sits tight until he gets the right offer to move down into the second round and acquire more picks in a deep draft.
The 29^th pick has at least one advantage: First-round picks are on the hook for five years, rather than four, with the team option. If a team desperately needs a quarterback, for example, it would prefer to trade up for two reasons – they get the QB and they get him for five years.
If Thompson could snag another third-round pick in return for agreeing to drop 15 spots, it would make sense.
The first round is set for Thursday, April 27. Fans tend to get cranky if they watch through 28 selections, only to discover that their team then trades out at No. 29.
It’s understandable, but shortsighted. In this draft, the more picks in the top four rounds, the better.
Everyone wanted the Packers to select Eddie Lacy in the first round of the 2013 draft. They waited until the second round and got him with the 61^st pick. Lacy dominated in his first two seasons, rushing for almost 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns.
That type of running back, plus multiple defenders, could be had with the flexibility that even more selections would provide.

Option #3:

Thompson gets crazy aggressive, packages picks and players, and trades up to land a bona fide, top-notch stud outside linebacker.
The problem is the Packers lack the firepower to go high enough. Furthermore, it’s risky and it’s impractical. Another words, it’s totally un-Ted like.
I expect Thompson to select the best (defensive) player at No. 29, retool his draft board and turn in for a restful night’s sleep.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

By CHRIS HAVEL

Packers’ best moves include actually making a fair number of them so far

What a great day in the world of sports.
The Brewers and Rockies tangled on opening day at Miller Park, while North Carolina and Gonzaga awaited Monday night’s much-anticipated NCAA men’s basketball championship game.
Furthermore, the Packers continued to rely on patience, practicality and due diligence to navigate free agency.
Seldom, it seems, are the Packers’ offseason escapades included in any positive assessment this time of year. In fact, their lack of heavy-duty spending on “big name” players has been an annual source of mostly misguided criticism.
Today, I’m here to tell Packers fans that their team has positioned itself to do great things this season.
Packers GM Ted Thompson did enough thus far to lay the foundation for what should be an even more potent offense to go with a greatly improved (nowhere to go but up) defense.
Here is a blow-by-blow assessment:

Best move:

The signing of tight end Martellus Bennett, coupled with the addition of Lance Kendricks, brings several key elements to the offense. They add considerable mental and physical toughness as rugged, proven veterans.
Bennett’s ability to get open in the middle of the field, in addition to Kendricks’ experience lining up all over the place, gives Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy many more options.
Furthermore, the one-two punch decreases the chance that any one injury could severely limit the tight end position. Bennett also should be an ideal lifeline for Aaron Rodgers on crucial third down plays and in the red zone.

Most necessary move:

Nick Perry’s re-signing was a no-brainer. The Packers’ defense couldn’t afford to backslide and Perry’s departure would’ve made that a grave concern. The reality is that Perry is the Packers’ top pass-rushing threat depending on two variables.
The first is that he remains healthy. The second is that his teammates find a way to generate enough pass rush to allow Perry to win one-on-one matchups when presented with the opportunity.
In other words, Clay Matthews, Kyler Fackrell, Jayrone Elliott and the rest need to stay healthy and up their games. If not, two things are likely to happen: Perry’s sack total will decline and the defense’s rush will continue to be impotent.

Least risky move:

Davon House’s return is a good thing. Some suggest that House is merely a slot cornerback, at best, and that he doesn’t enhance the position’s chances to succeed.  I couldn’t disagree more.
House is a pro. Whether he is a top 64 cornerback may be debatable, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the Packers’ top three cornerbacks the day he arrives in the locker room. In fact, it’s unclear which two players would be better at this point.

Best under-the-radar move:

Signing Ricky Jean-Francois gives the defense a fighting chance to deploy a respectable “three” in its 3-4 alignment.
Jean-Francois, 30, is a rugged, battle-tested veteran who can be effective against the run or the pass. He plugs a gaping hole left by the four-game suspension of Letroy Guion.

Quiet difficult loss:

Micah Hyde will be missed. He was a key factor, and at times the glue, in an often besieged secondary. He’s one of those ex-Packers that you wish nothing but the best, except when they play Green Bay.

Most important moves still to come:

The first five rounds of the draft will be critical. The Packers must select at least four players on the defensive side of the ball. That includes a pass rusher, at least two cornerbacks, and a “five technique” (Datone Jones’ alleged position).
In addition, they need to add a running back either in the draft or in free agency. Unless a back falls to them on draft day, I suspect Thompson may go the second-tier free agent route at running back.
Frankly, if Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon is available beyond the second round (and that’s unlikely), he might be the only exception I’d make to the “draft defense” mandate. Mixon appears to be rehabilitated in the wake of a three-year old heinous domestic abuse charge.
The Packers had him in for a visit, and I doubt Thompson merely did it to give other GMs something else to consider.
The prospect of Adrian Peterson signing with Green Bay still has some life, although I can’t see it happening. Peterson visited – where else? – New England today.
I’d be more interested in taking a look at Jamaal Charles, or going the third or fourth round route in the draft.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

By CHRIS HAVEL

Packers’ top five needs addressed in FA, but there’s still much more work to do

At first blush the Green Bay Packers’ most recent foray into NFL free agency resembles those that came before it. Thus far the signings are underwhelming, to say the least, which is typical of the Ted Thompson era.
I see it in a different light.
The Packers have addressed their five most important positions of need. They signed running back Christian Michel, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, linebackers Nick Perry and Jayrone Elliott, and cornerback Davon House.
Those moves came after the Packers elected to let Jared Cook walk – he later signed with the Oakland Raiders – and instead they signed tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks.
Bennett and Kendricks are a significant upgrade from Cook. They allow Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers the flexibility to show run-heavy formations and pass, or deploy pass-heavy personnel and run the football.

The Offense

The Packers’ offense has improved considerably with the additions of Bennett and Kendricks for several reasons.
First, Bennett is a proven winner, and for all of those who are concerned because of his tendency to be “outspoken,” I say you can’t have true leadership without veterans such as Bennett.
Whatever he says might be controversial, although I suspect there’s a fair amount of truth in whatever Bennett is espousing. The Packers’ locker room is strong enough to handle any potential controversy. Furthermore, winning helps solve plenty, and Bennett is a winner.
Kendricks, like Bennett, also is a proven veteran. Kendricks will be available in January, when it matters most, because his history suggests he’s both accountable and available. He also is versatile and adept at lining up wide, in the slot, on a tackle’s shoulder and in the backfield.
The Packers intend to be more unpredictable, not in terms of various formations in the passing game, but rather being harder t get a read on in regards to run versus pass.
The Packers elected to let Eddie Lacy walk. They also did next to nothing to prevent Datone Jones from signing with the Vikings. I think both moves were addition by subtraction.
Jones never came close to realizing his potential, while Lacy remained a problem in regards to his less-than-stellar conditioning. It was time for the Packers to move on from Lacy.

A Packers RB

The question is what will they do at running back?
The addition of Michael gives the Packers the semblance of a running back depth chart. They have two. GM Ted Thompson made it clear at the NFL owners meetings Monday that Green Bay intends to add at least another running back.
That opens the door for the Packers to sign Adrian Peterson, especially if the former Vikings running back has come to realize that his opinion of his market value differs from reality.
Peterson would be an interesting addition to the Packers’ attack. If he can recapture his form as one of the league’s top rushers, it can only help Rodgers and the Packers’ offense.
Imagine what an upgrade it would be to have Peterson, Michael and Ty Montgomery as the team’s running backs going into the season, as opposed to last year’s group: Lacy, James Starks and nobody else.

The Packers D

Defensively, the Packers added four players who can contribute in the upcoming season.
Ricky Jean-Francois, 30, is a rugged, dependable veteran defensive tackle. Francois, 6-3, 313, should be able to compensate for Letroy Guion’s absence in the first four games. In fact, Jean-Francois might be the team’s starting nose tackle long before Guion’s return.
Nick Perry, coming off an 11-sack season, and the potential-heavy Jayrone Elliott, give much-needed help as edge rushers.
Veteran Davon House also was resigned to help the Packers’ defensive secondary.
The reality is that each of these players gives the Packers’ defense help at each level. That’s the good news. It lays the foundation for a competitive defense. Now, the Packers need to add talent, youth and playmakers at each of those levels of defense.
The Packers need at least another defensive tackle, edge pass rusher and cover cornerback.
That’s a lot to ask of one draft class.
Then again, Thompson and the Packers have been able to add a lot of talent in a single draft class. If nothing else, the Packers have laid the foundation to make a really strong draft meaningful.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

By CHRIS HAVEL

Badgers men’s basketball team bridges gap between Packers’ post-season, NFL draft

Congratulations are in order, if not overdue, for the Wisconsin men’s basketball team.
Through head coaches Bo Ryan and Greg Gard the UW has sustained excellence in the Big Ten regular season and beyond.
Wisconsin’s most recent rush onto the national stage came Saturday when the Badgers KO’d the NCAA Tournament’s defending champion and this year’s top No. 1 seed, Villanova.
The 8th-seeded Badgers’ 65-62 win over the Wildcats in Buffalo, N.Y., means Wisconsin (27-9) faces 4th-seeded Florida (26-8) on Friday night in Madison Square Garden.
Wisconsin trailed 57-50 with five minutes to play before going on a 15-5 run to close out the victory. Along the way, top players Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig were saddled with foul trouble. Nevertheless, Nigel Hayes and the rest kept the Badgers close until they returned to help key the victory.
It is the fourth straight spring that Wisconsin has advanced to the Sweet 16. The Badgers are the only NCAA team to be able to make that claim.

The Badgers/Packers Connection

If you’re wondering the link between Badgers basketball and Packers football it should be obvious: The Badgers have provided the state’s sports fans with a first-rate program that is able to compete – and dominate – on a national level.
Whether it’s “draft-and-develop” or “recruit-and-develop” it is the results that matter. It minimizes the lull between the Packers’ final game – which has come in the post-season each of the past eight seasons – and free agency and the draft.
The Packers’ post-season typically requires fans to be patient. The Badgers’ success makes that much more do-able.
This offseason Packers’ GM Ted Thompson has been his usual conservative self in free agency. Thompson has re-signed linebacker Nick Perry, edge rusher Jayrone Elliot, offensive lineman Don Barclay and punter Jake Schum thus far.
Thompson also has gone out and signed former Packers cornerback Davon House, as well as free agent tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Those moves have been sensible and obvious.   
Bennett, Kendricks and Richard Rodgers give the Packers and Aaron Rodgers its best tight end trio ever. It should allow the Packers to move the chains, run the football and have more success in the red zone.

Offense Set; Defense Next

Clearly, there is much more work to be done, but the reality is that most of that must come on defense.Whether the Packers sign a running back in free agency, or select one in the draft (or perhaps both), the offense is all but set.
Defensively, I expect the Packers to cross their fingers and hope a complete defensive end such as Michigan’s Taco Charlton is available with the 29th pick. If not it’ll be an edge pass rusher or a cornerback.
The Packers’ need is much more pressing along the defensive line than it is at edge rusher where Clay Matthews returns along with Perry, Elliot and second-year pro Kyler Fackrell. Matthews needs to pick his spots and make sure he’s fresh for the post-season run. That is much more difficult if nobody emerges behind him on the depth chart.
Perry must continue to build on a strong 2016 and carry it over into this season. Health concerns presumably are in the past.
Fackrell needs to add weight and strength, while Elliot needs to transform occasional flashes and glimpses into consistent impact. The departures of Julius Peppers and Datone Jones most certainly create a void that must be filled.
The Packers would be wise to add another veteran pass rusher, perhaps ex-Eagles linebacker Conner Barwin, or longtime Ravens edge rusher Elvis Dumervil. Green Bay can’t be caught short in the postseason without a significant pass rush merely because Matthews and/or Perry are banged up and available on a limited basis.

What’ Next

Meantime, Thompson plots and plans for much-needed help in the draft.
That leaves the state’s sports fans to cross their fingers and pray for two things:
1) The Packers’ next move in free agency and then the draft
2) The Badgers’ next game and possible berth in the Elite Eight.
It’s a great way to pass the time.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com).  Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.