The last time the Packers had the luxury of a top-10 pick in the draft, general manager Ted Thompson went with a linebacker from a Big Ten school by taking Ohio State's A.J. Hawk at No. 5 in 2006.
Green Bay has the No. 9 selection this year. Given the team's biggest need of a pass rusher who can fit its new 3-4 defensive scheme, don't put it past Thompson to eye up another highly touted Big Ten product -- Penn State hybrid end/linebacker Aaron Maybin, who has tremendous upside as a young player.
Then again, as his controversial 2007 first-round choice of injury-riddled defensive tackle Justin Harrell suggested, Thompson could go any number of ways on draft weekend.
"Hopefully, we'll get a very good player," Thompson said, "and if we do, it really won't matter what position it is because you're only a sprained ankle away from needing the next guy."
Thompson relishes stockpiling the roster through the draft, and this year is a critical one for him and head coach Mike McCarthy after the Packers crashed to a 6-10 season.
Green Bay has four picks in the top 83 and could add more to the plate if Thompson finds value in trading down from the No. 9 spot.
With uncertainty at offensive tackle, particularly with veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher unsigned as he recovers this offseason from knee surgery, the Packers could take a chance on maligned Andre Smith from Alabama.
Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji also has come under fire in recent weeks, and perhaps he would fall into Green Bay's lap in the first round.
Missouri tight end Chase Coffman, son of former Packers Pro Bowl tight end Paul Coffman, could merit consideration in the second round.
TEAM NEEDS: Defensive end, defensive tackle, offensive tackle, tight end.
DE -- The Packers are rolling the dice with an overhaul of the defensive system from a longstanding 4-3 base alignment to the trendy 3-4, and with the change came the movement of Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman to outside linebacker. Green Bay has big question marks on the outside with projected starters Cullen Jenkins, who is coming back from a season-ending pectoral injury, and converted tackle Johnny Jolly, who has a legal issue hanging over him.
DT -- Incumbent starter Ryan Pickett is about all the Packers have to fill the critical role of nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme. Durability and age are concerns with Pickett, who turns 30 in October.
OT -- Venerable right tackle Mark Tauscher has the team's blessing to do his rehab work after January knee surgery at its facilities, but the Packers don't seem inclined to re-sign the unrestricted free agent. Couple that with the fragility of left tackle Chad Clifton, and the bookend positions need addressing.
TE -- The production from starter Donald Lee waned last season, and possible replacement Jermichael Finley had an up-and-down rookie year. So, the position is unsettled.
