Take it from one of the all-time premier technicians to function in the system, the Packers have assembled a unit that is equipped to begin humming in the 3-4 defense they adopted this year.

First-year outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, who as a player was one of the NFL's most disruptive linebackers, expressed the sentiment following an impressive tuneup initiated by Green Bay on the first day of draft weekend.

"The outside (linebackers) are the fuel that makes the engine go, so to speak. And, that cog in the middle is huge," Greene said.

Stressing need in short order after four previous years of stockpiling draft picks, general manager Ted Thompson came out swinging in a critical offseason for the team. He potentially hit on a daily double in Round 1 with a top-10 selection of imposing nose tackle B.J. Raji from Boston College and later trading up to nab all-out linebacker Clay Matthews from Southern California.

"We had some guys targeted in spots where it worked out for us," Thompson said. "We think it was a pretty successful weekend."

Raji gives the Packers a sturdy and productive anchor, along with returning starter Ryan Pickett, around whom new defensive coordinator Dom Capers can unleash the 3-4. The 6-2, 337-pound Raji fell to Green Bay at the No. 9 pick, where talented receiver Michael Crabtree also was available but wasn't going to be of help for a defense that foundered in the Packers' 6-10 2008 season.

"I'm not going to say one player is going to take care of anything that went on in the past, but I will tell you this -- we're going to play better run defense," said head coach Mike McCarthy, in reference to Raji. "He will definitely contribute. He's the body type. He's a gifted young man."

Thompson was as effusive in his praise for Matthews, who was deemed a must have. Thompson boldly parted with his one second-round pick and two third-round choices in a trade with the New England Patriots to take Matthews at No. 26, giving the Packers multiple first-round players for the first time since 1993.

"The more you watch him the more natural he looks as a player," Thompson said. "He's always on his feet ... (and) can do the things that anybody looks for in a defensive player."

Matthews was considered the best fit out of USC's ballyhooed trio of linebackers for what the Packers needed to get the 3-4 rolling. He is projected to start opposite converted Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman at the outside linebacker spots.

Thompson used the back end of the draft -- a total of six picks -- to address depth concerns at offensive tackle. Eastern Michigan's T.J. Lang, a fourth-round choice, could supplant unsigned veteran Mark Tauscher at right tackle. Green Bay's lackluster special-teams units also may have gotten a boost.

BEST PICK: Boston College NT B.J. Raji was a no-brainer for the Packers' top selection when he was available at No. 9 overall, although dynamic wideout Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech had general manager Ted Thompson mulling his enviable options. Addressing glaring needs in the revamped 3-4 defensive front took precedence, and landing Raji was a coup for fortifying the trenches. Raji is a beast at 6-foot-2 and 337 pounds. The Packers haven't possessed such a feared, game-changing nose tackle since Gilbert Brown was digging graves in the backfield for upended opponents during the team's dominant run in the 1990s. Raji's uncanny ability to take on double teams and shed blockers should pay immediate dividends for a defense that ranked 26th against the run, allowing an average of 131.6 yards per game, and generated only 27 sacks last season.

COULD SURPRISE: OT T.J. Lang of Eastern Michigan is a player to watch as the Packers approach a transition at the position. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher have been the starting bookends at left and right tackle, respectively, since they were rookies in 2000. While Clifton will be back for another season but has chronic knee problems, Tauscher apparently won't be re-signed as a free agent after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in January. That leaves a huge void, which could be filled by the promising Lang, a fourth-round choice. He made his mark the last two years of college at left tackle, but Lang also has starting experience at right tackle. Wherever he lined up, Lang shut down explosive Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English (No. 16 overall pick of the San Diego Chargers) in their Mid-American Conference matchups. The Packers like the 6-foot-4, 316-pound Lang's athleticism and feistiness.

A closer look at the Packers' picks:

Round 1/9 -- B.J. Raji, DT, 6-2, 337, Boston College

Pound for pound, the Packers might have acquired the best defensive player in the draft. Raji is extraordinarily gifted and athletic for his size. The every-down enforcer solidifies the interior of the defensive line for Green Bay, which had only aging starter Ryan Pickett to anchor the critical nose tackle position in its big switch to a 3-4 alignment up front. Work ethic and yo-yo weight control exhibited by Raji in college are blemishes that can't be brushed aside, however.

Round 1/26 -- Clay Matthews, LB, 6-3, 245, Southern California

As tickled as Ted Thompson was to have Raji slide to the Packers early in Round 1, the general manager eagerly wanted Matthews to fill another missing piece in the new defensive scheme. Hence, Thompson mortgaged the rest of Green Bay's first half of the draft -- a second-round pick (No. 41) and two third-round choices (Nos. 73 and 83) -- to go up to get the all-around playmaker that is Matthews. More than having strong NFL bloodlines, Matthews is a ready-made starter at right outside linebacker with his combination of tenacious run defense, unbridled pass rush off the edge and improving coverage skills.

Round 4/109 -- T.J. Lang, OT, 6-4, 316, Eastern Michigan

With uncertainty at both bookend spots -- right tackle Mark Tauscher is unsigned as he recovers from major knee surgery in January, and left tackle Chad Clifton has endured knee problems the last few years and is entering the last year of his contract -- Lang was drafted as an insurance policy. He started 36 straight games, 10 at right tackle and the last 26 at left tackle, in a zone-blocking scheme that jibes with the Packers'. The converted defensive tackle, regarded for his physicality and drive blocking, also has center-guard material.

Round 5/145 -- Quinn Johnson, FB, 6-1, 250, Louisiana State

The addition of Johnson gives the Packers a competitive mix at fullback, where incumbents Korey Hall and John Kuhn are no slouches. Like Hall, Johnson is a converted linebacker who thrives on contact and punishing defenders -- he paved the way for 11 touchdowns by LSU ball carriers last season. Johnson had few touches of the football but has potential to develop into a short-yardage back.

Round 5/162 -- Jamon Meredith, OT, 6-5, 304, South Carolina

Meredith brings even more versatility to the offensive line than Lang does, having started at right tackle, left tackle and left guard in his four-year stint with the Gamecocks. Left tackle is his natural position, but Meredith, who has quickness off the ball, figures to be part of the deep mix of young candidates to fill the void at right tackle if Tauscher isn't re-signed. Lapses in toughness have been a concern with Meredith.

Round 6/182 -- Jarius Wynn, DE, 6-5, 273, Georgia

Wynn's underwhelming two-year career at Georgia -- after he started in the junior-college ranks -- ended with a bang with two sacks in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State. He has good size and length to fit in as an end in the Packers' 3-4 scheme. Wynn is a better run stopper than pass rusher.

Round 6/187 -- Brandon Underwood, CB/S, 6-1, 198, Cincinnati

Underwood made the most of his one season at Cincinnati after transferring from Ohio State, where his three years were marred by academic and injury issues. Starting at both free safety and his natural spot of cornerback, Underwood was a playmaker for Cincinnati. He broke up six passes, intercepted three and forced two fumbles. His best recorded 40 time was 4.36.

Round 7/218 -- Brad Jones, LB, 6-3, 232, Colorado

The Packers feel they came away with tremendous value with their final draft pick. Jones was a three-year starter, primarily at strong-side linebacker, in a 3-4 scheme. Colorado played to his athletic and playmaking strengths, liberally moving him around. He occasionally lined up as a hand-down pass rusher on the edge, registering seven sacks in 2008. Coverage skills are solid.