A couple years ago, after the Packers lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals, GPN touted on our Q5 podcast that the Packers would be back and that Aaron Rodgers' star was rising. At the beginning of last season, when the season was young (and by young, I mean not even started) we believed in a team that we thought had every right to take their rightful place in NFL history by bringing home what we called "Lucky 13" because true Packers fans consider themselves lucky to be fans of the only team with 13 NFL titles. Shortly after the Super Bowl was over and all the confetti had been swept away. We once again brazenly proclaimed that the Packers stood as good a chance as anyone of getting beyond the "repeat slump" and taking another shot at it all.

Then came the Lockout

With the failed CBA fading in the rear-view mirror and the slow heavy swing of Justice's gavel arcing over the NFL and the group of players formerly known as a players union, the Packers situation has changed. Now, instead of anticipating another bumper crop of draft picks and tuning up some second and third year players to run with them this off-season, this young Packer team is left with too much time on their hands (am I the only one to hear Styx music when I read that line? I think not). This could be disastrous to the Packers' chances to repeat even if the NFL gets its act together in time.

We all know that Ted Thompson has a fancy for drafting wide outs - but are there any other positions that he's tended to target more than others?  Additionally, you may be surprised to see which positions Thompson typically sacrifices on draft day. I note three trends that Thompson has developed in six years as the Packers' general manager. 

2 Cups Passing Game, Pinch of Running Game 

Most NFL fans would be appalled at only five draft picks used on offensive backfield prospects over the course of six drafts. That's the number used by Thompson, with only one coming earlier than the fifth round (Brandon Jackson). Shouldn't a cold-weather team invest more in explosive ball carriers to help foster a strong ground game? Maybe not. 

If the Packers hadn't stumbled upon Ryan Grant in 2007, I'd bet that Thompson would have curbed his best player available strategy in the past three drafts to land a back more capable of carrying the load than Brandon Jackson. Instead, Grant established himself as the starter and Thompson got to spend more draft picks on his beloved receivers. 

After months of draft research, I've come up with several prospects that stand out as my favorites - mainly because of how well they would fit in Green Bay. Some of these prospects fit the current needs of the Packers' roster and others would simply present great value. Here are some of my favorites for the 2011 draft. 

Brooks Reed 

Who wouldn't want - not one - but two Clay Matthewses lining up on defense? That's what the Packers could get if they decide to draft this high-intensity pass rusher out of Arizona. Reed features the same motor and knack for always being around the ball as Matthews, with the only drawback being his lack of experience dropping into coverage. Reed happens to be my favorite prospect in the draft and is projected to come off the board right around the Packers' first round pick.