2012 NFL Draft Dope Sheet

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com. This is an abbreviated version of the 2012 NFL Draft Dope Sheet. To read the full version, download the PDF by clicking here.

Here are some highlights from the 2012 NFL Draft Dope Sheet:

GREEN BAY ENTERS DRAFT WITH 12 SELECTIONS

Next weekend, the Green Bay Packers will welcome another rookie class to their roster through the NFL Draft, held April 26-28 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Armed with seven of their own selections - plus four compensatory selections and a seventh-round choice from the N.Y. Jets - the Packers will have plenty of opportunities to add more talent and depth to their roster. All picks are eligible to be traded except for the compensatory selections.
With the 12 selections overall, Green Bay enters the draft with the second-most picks in the league behind only the Cleveland Browns (13).
For the third straight year, the event will begin in prime time on Thursday night, with Round 1 on April 26 beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Rounds 2-3 also will be held in prime time, beginning on Friday, April 27, at 6 p.m. CT. Rounds 4-7 will complete the draft on Saturday, April 28, beginning at 11 a.m. CT.
The time allotted in between picks will remain the same. Teams will have 10 minutes in between selections in the first round and seven minutes between each choice for Round 2. Each subsequent round will allow up to five minutes in between picks.

THOMPSON LEADS PACKERS INTO ANOTHER DRAFT

General Manager Ted Thompson enters his eighth draft with the Green Bay Packers, and Thompson has long viewed the draft as the most important aspect of player acquisition.
Thompson first employed this strategy in Seattle, where he spent five seasons (2000-04) running the Seahawks’ draft room as vice president of football operations. Nine starters on Seattle’s Super Bowl XL team, along with kicker Josh Brown, were drafted by the Seahawks on Thompson’s watch.
That same strategy has provided the Packers with one of the youngest and most talented teams in the NFL, the core of which has been brought to Green Bay by Thompson through the draft.
Thompson entered his first draft with Green Bay in 2005 armed with seven picks. Through draft-day trades, he wound up with 11 selections, highlighted by a pair of Pro Bowlers in QB Aaron Rodgers (first round) and S Nick Collins (second).
Similarly in 2006, Thompson began draft day with seven selections, this time turning those seven picks into 12. The class included another pair of Pro Bowlers in LB A.J. Hawk (first) and WR Greg Jennings (second).
In 2007, Thompson again used draft-day trades to acquire more selections and increase the competition for roster spots. That class included significant current contributors such as WR James Jones (third) and LB Desmond Bishop and K Mason Crosby (consecutive picks in the sixth round).
That strategy was also implemented in 2008, as Thompson turned eight choices into 10 draft picks (nine players and a future pick). Selections such as WR Jordy Nelson (second), TE Jermichael Finley (third) and G Josh Sitton (fourth) have made a significant impact in Green Bay.
In 2009, the Packers entered the draft with nine selections but made one of the most dramatic moves over the course of the weekend when they traded back into the first round. After selecting NT B.J. Raji with the No. 9 pick, Thompson moved back into the first round to select LB Clay Matthews at No. 26. Though the Packers surrendered a second-round pick and two third-round choices to New England for the opportunity to draft Matthews plus a fifth-round pick, the USC linebacker has proven to be well worth it, becoming the first Packer to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons since RB John Brockington (1971-73).
In 2010, Green Bay selected T Bryan Bulaga in the first round at No. 23, and he went on to start the 24 games in 2010-11. Thompson moved up in the third round to select S Morgan Burnett (No. 71 overall), who was one of only two players on defense to start every game in 2011. The Packers have also received notable contributions from TE Andrew Quarless (fifth), RB James Starks (sixth) and DE C.J. Wilson (seventh) over the past two seasons.
Last year, the Packers selected another tackle in the first round, Derek Sherrod, at No. 32. Seven of the 10 players in the 2011 draft class went on to appear in a game for Green Bay last season, highlighted by WR Randall Cobb (second round), who was named to the All-Rookie Team by Pro Football Weekly/PFWA as a kickoff returner.
Today’s roster has Thompson’s fingerprints all over it. Of his 68 draft selections (2005-2011), 30 remain on the roster entering the 2012 draft, with 20 of 25 selections from 2009-11 still on the roster.

A LOOK INTO THE DRAFT ROOM

General Manager Ted Thompson heads up the football operations, and he and Green Bay’s coaches are well known to Packers fans. But working with Thompson is a talented and experienced football operations staff.
Members of the personnel staff have spent months, if not years with some prospects, studying for the 2012 NFL Draft. They visit schools throughout the season, attending practices, dozens of games and pro days in the spring. In each area, they have formulated relationships with high school and college coaches, trying to get a better idea of who the person is, not just the football prospect.
Working closely with Thompson year round is Director of College Scouting John Dorsey (22nd NFL season), Assistant Director of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf (Ninth NFL season) and Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Tim Terry (Eighth NFL season).
Members of the scouting department include Assistant Director of College Scouting Shaun Herock (20th NFL season - Midwest) and scouts Lee Gissendaner (15th NFL season - Northeast), Brian Gutekunst (14th NFL season - Southeast), Alonzo Highsmith (14th NFL season - Southwest), Sam Seale (17th NFL season - West Coast), Jon-Eric Sullivan (Ninth NFL season - Mid-South) and Richmond Williams (Fifth NFL season - National Football Scouting). Danny Mock (25th NFL season) serves as the college scouting coordinator, while Chad Brinker (Third NFL season) is the scouting assistant.

ANALYZING THE PICKS UNDER THOMPSON

Total Picks: 68
Offense: 38
Defense: 29
Specialists: 1

POSITION-BY-POSITION

Quarterback (4): Aaron Rodgers (2005-1), Ingle Martin (2006-5a), Brian Brohm (2008-2b), Matt Flynn (2008-7a)
Running Back (4): Brandon Jackson (2007-2), DeShawn Wynn (2007-7a), James Starks (2010-6), Alex Green (2011-3)
Fullback (2): Korey Hall (2007-6a), Quinn Johnson (2009-5a)
Tight End (5): Clark Harris (2007-7), Jermichael Finley (2008-3), Andrew Quarless (2010-5a), D.J. Williams (2011-5), Ryan Taylor (2011-7a)
Wide Receiver (9): Terrence Murphy (2005-2b), Craig Bragg (2005-6b), Greg Jennings (2006-2b), Cory Rodgers (2006-4a), James Jones (2007-3a), David Clowney (2007-5), Jordy Nelson (2008-2a), Brett Swain (2008-7b), Randall Cobb (2011-2)
Tackle (7): Tony Moll (2006-5b), Breno Giacomini (2008-5), T.J. Lang (2009-4), Jamon Meredith (2009-5b), Bryan Bulaga (2010-1), Marshall Newhouse (2010-5b), Derek Sherrod (2011-1)
Guard (6): William Whitticker (2005-7b), Daryn Colledge (2006-2a), Jason Spitz (2006-3b), Allen Barbre (2007-4), Josh Sitton (2008-4b), Caleb Schlauderaff (2011-6a)
Center (1): Junius Coston (2005-5a)
Defensive End (7): Michael Montgomery (2005-6a), Dave Tollefson (2006-7), Jeremy Thompson (2008-4a), Jarius Wynn (2009-6a), Mike Neal (2010-2), C.J. Wilson (2010-7), Lawrence Guy (2011-7b)
Defensive Tackle (3): Johnny Jolly (2006-6a), Justin Harrell (2007-1), B.J. Raji (2009-1a)
Linebacker (9): Brady Poppinga (2005-4b), Kurt Campbell (2005-7a), A.J. Hawk (2006-1), Abdul Hodge (2006-3a), Desmond Bishop (2007-6b), Clay Matthews (2009-1b), Brad Jones (2009-7), D.J. Smith (2011-6b), Ricky Elmore (2011-6c)
Cornerback (5): Mike Hawkins (2005-5b), Will Blackmon (2006-4b), Pat Lee (2008-2c), Brandon Underwood (2009-6b), Davon House (2011-4)
Safety (5): Nick Collins (2005-2a), Marviel Underwood (2005-4a), Tyrone Culver (2006-6b), Aaron Rouse (2007-3b), Morgan Burnett (2010-3)
Kicker (1): Mason Crosby (2007-6c)

DRAFT PICKS BY SCHOOL
Just where have the 68 Packers draft picks gone to school? Note: BCS schools are those in the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC.

BCS: 44
Louisville 3, Texas A&M 3, Boston College 2, California 2, Colorado 2, Iowa 2, LSU 2, Virginia Tech 2, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Utah, Wake Forest

Non-BCS: 24
Boise State 2, San Diego State 2, Texas Christian 2, Albany, Appalachian State, Bethune-Cookman, Brigham Young, Buffalo, Central Florida, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Furman, Hawaii, Missouri Southern State, Nevada, New Mexico State, North Carolina AT&T, Northwest Missouri State, San Jose State, Western Michigan

ROUND-BY-ROUND

First Round (7): Defensive tackle (2), linebacker (2), tackle (2) quarterback
Second Round (10): Wide receiver (4), cornerback, defensive end, guard, quarterback, running back, safety
Third Round (7): Safety (2), guard, linebacker, tight end, running back, wide receiver
Fourth Round (9): Cornerback (2), guard (2), defensive end, linebacker, safety, tackle, wide receiver
Fifth Round (11): Tackle (4), tight end (2), cornerback, fullback, guard, quarterback, wide receiver
Sixth Round (13): Linebacker (3), defensive end (2), cornerback, defensive tackle, fullback, guard, kicker, running back, safety, wide receiver
Seventh Round (11): Defensive end (3), linebacker (2), tight end (2), guard, quarterback, running back, wide receiver

DRAFT HEADQUARTERS AT PACKERS.COM

For Packers fans, the team’s official website is the best source for up-to-the-minute information on draft weekend and the only place to see live press conferences from Lambeau Field in their entirety, in addition to an exclusive sneak peek into the Packers’ Draft Room.
In a special weekend feature, Packers.com will provide biographical information on each Packers pick as it happens, with additional coverage by the Packers.com writers.
Want to see more than just a 15-second snippet on the nightly news? Packers.com is the only place to see press conferences in their entirety, featuring General Manager Ted Thompson, Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Packers’ assistant coaches and members of the personnel and scouting staff. All press conferences on the site will be carried live via Flash video and also archived for later viewing.
Packers.com also is pleased to provide an exclusive peek into the Packers’ Draft Room with the 2012 Draft Cam. This unique, behind-the-scenes camera will bring updated images every minute during the draft.
Fans can watch the draft unfold as it happens on NFL.com, which will stream NFL Network’s live telecast and have instant pick-by-pick analysis from the NFL.com team, as well as an up-to-the-minute draft tracker for all seven rounds.
Follow the Packers on Twitter (@packers) and become a fan on Facebook for live updates from Lambeau Field throughout the three days of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes videos with insight from Packers.com’s writers.
Live chat with Packers.com writers during the first two rounds (Thursday and Friday) until the Packers pick, with up-to-the-minute commentary on the draft as it unfolds.

WHO HAS BEEN THERE AT NO. 28?

Because of its 15-1 record and a loss in the NFC Divisional Playoff, Green Bay will have to wait until near the end of the first round before its name appears “on the clock” at pick No. 28.
So when was the last time the Packers chose at No. 28? It was 1977, when Green Bay selected DE Ezra Johnson from Morris Brown. The pick, Green Bay’s second first-round choice that year, was from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for DE Ted Hendricks.
Green Bay entered the 2002 NFL Draft with the No. 28 overall pick, but traded that pick along with its second-round selection (No. 60) in exchange for the No. 20 overall selection (WR Javon Walker) and a fifth-round choice (DE Aaron Kampman, No. 156 overall).
Here is a look at the players selected at No. 28 in the first round over the past 10 drafts (2002-11):

Year, Team Player

2011, New Orleans - RB Mark Ingram
2010, Miami - DT Jared Odrick
2009, Buffalo - C Eric Wood
2008, Seattle - DE Lawrence Jackson
2007, San Francisco - T Joe Staley
2006, Jacksonville - TE Marcedes Lewis
2005, San Diego - DT Luis Castillo
2004, Carolina - CB Chris Gamble
2003, Tennessee - CB Andre Woolfolk
2002, Seattle - TE Jerramy Stevens

While first-round choices certainly can be the cornerstone of a franchise, as Thompson has shown with Pro Bowl selections Aaron Rodgers (2005), A.J. Hawk (2006) and Clay Matthews (2009) and NT B.J. Raji (2009), second-round selections can prove to be just as valuable. That’s where Thompson drafted S Nick Collins (2005) and WR Greg Jennings (2006), who both have earned Pro Bowl recognition during their careers, as well as WR Jordy Nelson (2008), who caught a career-high 15 TD passes in 2011, and WR Randall Cobb (2011), who ranked No. 2 in the NFL in kickoff return average as a rookie.
uWith 22 starters and a 53-man roster, selections in the third round often turn into significant contributors for a team. Current Packers WR James Jones (2007), TE Jermichael Finley (2008) and S Morgan Burnett (2010) were all third-round choices under Thompson. Green Bay heads into the draft with selection No. 90 in Round 3.
In addition to their own fourth-round pick (No. 123), the Packers also have two compensatory selections in the round (Nos. 132-133). It marks only the second time (1999) that Green Bay has been awarded two fourth-round compensatory picks. G Josh Sitton (2008/fourth round) and T Marshall Newhouse (2010/fifth) were once compensatory selections by the Packers.
Green Bay enters the draft with four choices in the seventh round, their own pick, a selection acquired from the N.Y. Jets in a trade, and two more compensatory choices. The Packers have received contributions from seventh-rounders in each of the last four drafts, including QB Matt Flynn (2008), LB Brad Jones (2009), DE C.J. Wilson (2010) and TE Ryan Taylor (2011).