If you would have thought that the only player in UCLA history to make at least 50 receptions in two seasons would get taken earlier than the 195th pick of the draft, you aren't alone.
Craig Bragg, the Packers second sixth-round pick, thought so, too.
"I feel I should have gone higher than that," Bragg said. "How I fell to the sixth round, I don't know. But that's in the past. I've just got to come in and work hard and concentrate on making the team."
Part of the reason for Bragg's slide down the draft board might have been related to his statistical dip as a senior. Sidelined for part of the season after dislocating his shoulder, Bragg went from a 73-catch, 1,065-yard season as a junior to a 36-catch, 483-yard effort as a senior.
But Bragg was insistent Sunday that last year's performance was the exception to the rule, rather than the norm.
"It was frustrating because my shoulder injury set me back a little bit," Bragg said, "but I'm still the same great player. I haven't lost anything."
GM Ted Thompson said Bragg has just the qualities that he likes to see in a receiver: the ability to make catches, but also the explosiveness to make plays with the football.
Bragg has both punt- and kick-return experience and is expected to compete for both jobs in training camp, along with second-round pick Terrence Murphy.
"I'm going to come in and do whatever I have to do to make the team," said Bragg, who prior to the draft had listed Lambeau Field as the stadium he was most eager to visit as a pro. "I'm excited to show what I can be."
