"League insiders tell me right now it looks as though the first round selection for the New York Giants will be Andrus Peat." - Tony Pauline

"One 'sleeper' to keep an eye on at No. 7: OT Andrus Peat. I've heard his named mentioned a few times as a high upside gamble." - Aaron Leming, BearReport.com

The Bears scouted the hell out of Peat. I think they had scouts at 3 Stanford games.

But, that was the old regime.

Green Bay — It's reasonable to argue that Ted Thompson's best draft in Green Bay was the only one that didn't include a first-round selection.

When the National Football League draft commences at 7 p.m. Thursday in Chicago, don't be surprised if the Packers general manager attempts to replicate his 2008 trade out of the first round for wide receiver Jordy Nelson.

Seven years ago, Thompson moved down from his first pick (No. 30 overall) to the New York Jets' second-round slot (No. 36). In return, the Packers acquired the Jets' fourth-round choice (No. 113).

Now the Packers occupy that same No. 30 position. They'll have to wait about three hours to see what's left in a draft that lacks not only star power at the top but large numbers of legitimate first-round grades.

One general manager said last week he had 19 or 20 players graded as first-round choices. Other teams basically agreed.

"This is a second-round draft in the first round," an executive in personnel for an NFL team said. "Give me a bunch of second-, third- and fourth-round picks. Trade down as many times as you can out of the first. I'd come away with about six or seven starters. "Some coaches are pretty good (evaluators), but this is a complex draft. This is a scout's draft."

A Journal Sentinel poll of 21 scouts revealed close voting at the position. Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney led with 76 points, but close behind were Clemson's Stephone Anthony (65), UCLA's Eric Kendricks (58), Miami's Denzel Perryman (57) and Texas Christian's Paul Dawson (46).

Last year, the Packers were set to take either of two inside linebackers, Alabama's D.J. Mosley or Ohio State's Ryan Shazier, but they were picked four and six slots ahead of Green Bay's 21st choice that wound up being used for safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

The consensus among scouts is that Mosley and Shazier were much better prospects than the five this year.

Neither Barrington, who ran a 4.76-second 40, nor Bradford (4.68) has the speed to be ideally suited as a three-down player.

"Dawson and Kendricks and Anthony can play all three downs," one personnel man said. "Perryman and McKinney are more thumpers. They both run well enough to do it. They're really aggressive, though, and may not be quite as good on third downs as the other guys."

Pack and Pats (shocker) looking to trade back according to Rappaport.

Packers:
Mayock - Perryman ILB
Kiper - Kendricks ILB
McShay - Jones CB

Perryman is the pick I like the most. He's the high floor guy who you can pencil in for the next 5 years.

I don't like Kendrick anymore as I've read he's got an extensive injury history. The Packers training staff is piss poor. Not a good fit. I hate the Jones pick. If you take a look at the Packers secondary they've shown a distinct strength in ID-ing and developing mid-round to FA into starters.

Ultimately, I'm banking on a team in the 2nd desperate to get another premium talent calling the Packers for their pick.

I like Perryman also, but I think you can trade back to early round 2 and still get him.

This. He'd be a solid 2nd rounder but a stretch in 1st. It sounds like he'd be primarily a run specialist but I like what I've heard about his toughness - an attribute the Packers have lacked the last several years.

I also wouldn't mind see them taking a late round flyer on a speedy kick return specialist such as J.J. Nelson, or even a mid-rounder such as Tyler Lockett (he fits TT's profile for a 4th receiver as well).

This. He'd be a solid 2nd rounder but a stretch in 1st. It sounds like he'd be primarily a run specialist but I like what I've heard about his toughness - an attribute the Packers have lacked the last several years.

I also wouldn't mind see them taking a late round flyer on a speedy kick return specialist such as J.J. Nelson, or even a mid-rounder such as Tyler Lockett (he fits TT's profile for a 4th receiver as well).

Here's my Adam Hoge predict -

They are going to go offensive-heavy - 1, maybe 2, WRs...also each of a RB/QB will all be drafted.

So, my guess-

1-White WR
2-McKinney LB
3-Lockett WR
4-Petty Qb
5-Ladarius Gunter CB
6-Matt Jones RB
7-Jake Smith C

Petty will be long gone. Saints taking him at the end of the 1st is the word.

Caleb Williams isn't really a "true" rookie because he turned 23 late into his 1st season in the NFL!"

Don't be Petty

HEY HEY !!!!

Caleb Williams isn't really a "true" rookie because he turned 23 late into his 1st season in the NFL!"

Thanks. You're also my favorite poster named Juiced.

And I'm a huge bad cub fan.

Caleb Williams isn't really a "true" rookie because he turned 23 late into his 1st season in the NFL!"

Read more of my post and you will become a better fan. Stop reading Jimmy's post is step 1

Further prediction - Ty Montgomery is on the Bears radar.

Sounds like a Hester clone, from what I just read.