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The Packers have put a surprising number of high picks into the WR corps, secondary. I guess it makes sense if you look at the team, but you get the feel it's a bunch of late round gems. They seem to really prioritize these positions to give them matchup advantages on both offense and defense.

I still believe you build from the lines and the middle, but it is interesting what some teams are able to do when they get the periphery locked down a bit/opened up...in terms of then using schemes to help out their lines.

Packers drafting info (link at the bottom with other NFC North teams as well)

1. From 2001-2008, the Packers had a combined 16 first and second round picks. 31.3% of those selections were spent on wide receivers.

Clay Matthews & Aaron RodgersThese two draft picks worked out pretty well, wouldn't you say?

2. Since 2001, the Packers have selected just as many punters (1) within the top 100 picks as they have running backs.

3. Only 18.8% (3 of 16) of the offensive linemen drafted by the Packers since 2001 have been taken within the top 100 picks. Take note that since 2001, 35% of all offensive linemen drafted by NFL teams were selected within the top 100 picks.

4. The Packers have drafted at least one defensive back within the first three rounds in seven of the last ten years.

5. The Packers have drafted at least one defensive lineman within the first two rounds in three of the last four years

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Dra ... North.html

It should be noted that one of the reasons for the Packers emphasis on WR position is their attempts to replace guys like Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks in the late 90s/early 2000s, and trying to surround Brett Favre with strong talent and weapons.

As well as the emphasis on DBs due to the struggles thier secondary had in the earlier part of the decade, and the fact that they had players like Mike McKenzie, Darren Sharper, and Leroy Butler in the late 90s and early 00s, and their attempts to try and replace those players.

The Packers have been helped greatly by hitting on some really good late round picks over the past decade or so: Mark Tauscher, Donald Driver, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Marco Rivera Aaron Kampman, and now we might be able to add Desmond Bishop to that group. Throw in undrafted guys like Tramon Williams, Cullen Jenkins, and Atari Bigby, and you have the makings of an unorthodox drafting style.

You're def right about the need dovetailing into those positions. But at the end of the day, I don't see any team really drafting better than either GB these days. Only other two that come to mind (I think Bal has slipped a bit the last few years) are NE and Pitt. And of course a NE draft is anything but orthodox, but I think thats just cause they're more progressive in how they treat it. When 44% of firsts bust, etc., unorthodox should prob be the norm. Ted Thompson has put them back on top via the draft, which really is how its gotta be done these days.