Green Bay Packers: Top 5 Players From Wisconsin Who The Team Should Draft

Green Bay Packers: Top 5 Players From Wisconsin Who The Team Should Draft

By Rex Sheild

April 14, 2014

Green Bay Packers: Top 5 Players From Wisconsin Who The Team Should Draft

NFL Draft — The Packers haven't drafted a member of the Wisconsin Badgers since 2000 with the seventh-round selection of right tackle Mark Tauscher. Will this trend be bucked in 2014? Your guess is as good as mine, but these five players have the NFL talent to help Green Bay on both sides of the ball.

The Packers haven't drafted a member of the Wisconsin Badgers since 2000 with the seventh-round selection of right tackle Mark Tauscher. Will this trend be bucked in 2014? Your guess is as good as mine, but these five players have the NFL talent to help Green Bay on both sides of the ball.

5. Ryan Groy

Ryan Groy

5. Ryan Groy

Ryan Groy — The Middleton, WI native had a heck of a senior season for head coach Gary Andersen, earning himself third-team All-American and first-team All Big Ten honors. His 6-foot-5, 320-pound stature will allow him to handle the physicality and rigors of the NFL trenches, but his most impressive aspect is consistency. The left tackle started a school-record 54 straight games, and he is able to move inside and play either guard position.

The Middleton, WI native had a heck of a senior season for head coach Gary Andersen, earning himself third-team All-American and first-team All Big Ten honors. His 6-foot-5, 320-pound stature will allow him to handle the physicality and rigors of the NFL trenches, but his most impressive aspect is consistency. The left tackle started a school-record 54 straight games, and he is able to move inside and play either guard position.

4. Beau Allen

Beau Allen

Advertisement

4. Beau Allen

Beau Allen — Allen did not put up any stats in 2013 that will blow you away, but he has a solid base from the defensive tackle position and is accustomed to playing in a 3-4 defense. Plus, he's a run stuffer and there should be no one questioning his effort and toughness from the first quarter to the last. The Packers could use a force like Allen to improve upon their 2013 ninth-ranked run defense.

Allen did not put up any stats in 2013 that will blow you away, but he has a solid base from the defensive tackle position and is accustomed to playing in a 3-4 defense. Plus, he's a run stuffer and there should be no one questioning his effort and toughness from the first quarter to the last. The Packers could use a force like Allen to improve upon their 2013 ninth-ranked run defense.

3. Jacob Pedersen

Jacob Pedersen

3. Jacob Pedersen

Jacob Pedersen — Pedersen follows the lineage of former Wisconsin tight ends to continue their playing career in the NFL, and he may be one of the best at the next level when it's all said and done. His 6-foot-5 frame is ideal for Green Bay's offense, and he's an excellent run and pass blocker. Not to mention, he's pretty good at catching the ball, too, so it's worth GM Ted Thompson's time to take a look at the Michigan native late in the draft.

Pedersen follows the lineage of former Wisconsin tight ends to continue their playing career in the NFL, and he may be one of the best at the next level when it's all said and done. His 6-foot-5 frame is ideal for Green Bay's offense, and he's an excellent run and pass blocker. Not to mention, he's pretty good at catching the ball, too, so it's worth GM Ted Thompson's time to take a look at the Michigan native late in the draft.

2. Jared Abbrederis

Jared Abbrederis

2. Jared Abbrederis

Jared Abbrederis — The blazing fast wide receiver set all sorts of Wisconsin records at the position, and there's no reason to think that he won't have similar success at the NFL. His catching ability may be too inconsistent, but the Wautoma, WI native is able to get past the jamming of cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage and take the contact from opposing safeties. The Packers' first three slots are secured, but Abbrederis would be a great no. 4 receiver.

The blazing fast wide receiver set all sorts of Wisconsin records at the position, and there's no reason to think that he won't have similar success at the NFL. His catching ability may be too inconsistent, but the Wautoma, WI native is able to get past the jamming of cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage and take the contact from opposing safeties. The Packers' first three slots are secured, but Abbrederis would be a great no. 4 receiver.

1. Chris Borland

Chris Borland

1. Chris Borland Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Borland — Fast motor. High football IQ. Tenacious work ethic. These are only a handful of character traits that Borland brings to the table, and defensive coordinator Dom Capers would gladly welcome a player of his skill set and intangibles. The size is an issue, but watching tape will allow you to see right past it. Green Bay has a need at inside linebacker, and Borland would fill this.

Fast motor. High football IQ. Tenacious work ethic. These are only a handful of character traits that Borland brings to the table, and defensive coordinator Dom Capers would gladly welcome a player of his skill set and intangibles. The size is an issue, but watching tape will allow you to see right past it. Green Bay has a need at inside linebacker, and Borland would fill this.

Teams in this article »

Green Bay Packers

Share On Facebook

Share