SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick #9

No. 9

GREEN BAY PACKERS Pick by Acme Packing Company Everette Brown Defensive end Florida State

Our third day concludes with Green Bay, a team that could make it back to playoffs based solely on the success of this year's draft. The pressure is on, Acme Packing Company overseer Brandon.

The Packers really need a player like Florida State's DE Everette Brown. The pass rush has struggled the last couple seasons and the complete collapse (and eventual release) of DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila left them with little pass rush from the weak side. They really need a DE/LB Terrell Suggs type player who can provide double digit sacks, line up as a down lineman, and be able to drop back in pass coverage when needed. Brown had 13.5 sacks last season at Florida State and is one of the top pass rushers available in a draft that isn't loaded with them. The Packers would be very fortunate if he was still available with the ninth overall selection.

Still, there are reasons not to draft Brown. The last time the Packers had a top 10 pick and used it on a speed rusher from Florida State, it was DE Jamal Reynolds who played in 18 games and only had 3 sacks in his NFL career. Although Reynolds was a bust, I take it easy on him because it wasn't his fault he hurt his knee during his first training camp, which eventually required microfacture surgery, and it took away his speed. The Reynolds jinx aside, Brown will have to make the conversion from college end to NFL linebacker, although he'll still line up plenty as a down lineman. 2009 will likely be a lost season for him as he holds out of training camp for big money and spends the rest of his time trying to learn a new position. Brown has the potential to be a great pick, but he's no slam dunk.

MTD thoughts: Brandon hit the reasoning perfectly. For the 3-4 the Packers plan on using, finding someone to get after the quarterback is key. Brown is arguably the best 3-4 outside linebacker in this class and could end up being very similar to Suggs.

Mocking the Draft's Top Five Remaining Prospects - CB Malcolm Jenkins, OT Michael Oher, RB Knowshon Moreno, MLB Rey Maualuga, WR Jeremy Maclin