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Green Bay - Ted Thompson has pulled his share of surprises on draft day since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in January 2005.

For the most part, consistency has been the hallmark of his tenure in terms of player procurement through the draft, free agency and trades.

"I know what the Packers do," an executive in personnel said last week. "They have a pattern and it works for them. You can anticipate every move they make, and it doesn't matter. They're just good at it."

Thompson presumably will be looking to shore up a defense that tied for the league lead in take-aways a year ago but finished last in yards allowed.

"They pick the best player available," the personnel man said. "But let's face it. It's about levels of urgency.

"Offense ruled the day until the championship ring was at stake and the defenses took over. Then the defense caught up to them at the end.

"The Packers need to get their defense better and the offense continues to do what the offense has done. The special teams have moved up into a nice level. The defense is the concern."

The Packers have 12 draft choices, one fewer than the league leader, Cleveland. They will select No. 28 in the first round.

"I'd say within the first two rounds, unless there's a running back or a tackle that drops, I see them going defense," the scout said. "Where they're picking it's tough, it really is.

"They've got a lot of work to do this off-season. Obviously, they like to do it through the draft."

The executive agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions:

Wide receiver: "They drafted a receiver (Randall Cobb) high last year to replace the old man (Donald Driver). Driver is just hanging on but they already have that guy in the pipeline. Now they have two guys they like off the practice squad. So they are locked and loaded."

Tight end: "They just extended a player (Jermichael Finley) and they're going to develop those young guys. I don't see a need there."

Tackle: "This is where they have issues. They have a tackle in (Derek) Sherrod lined up. I don't think their feelings toward him would have changed. He may not have looked good when he played and now he's coming off the injury, but it's not career-threatening. It's a broken leg. It sounds worse than it really is. Just knowing them and how they stick with their draft picks and develop them, he's the guy that is there to step into a starting role. You have four guys right now if (Chad) Clifton's back. Would it shock me if they went high and drafted another tackle? No way."

Guard: "They would probably be looking, as they usually do. Draft another one with a mid-round pick. Get him in the mix and create competition in the backup roles."

Center: "They lost their center and replaced him with (Jeff) Saturday. That was kind of an interesting signing. For them to step out and go get a veteran like that, that means they must put a lot of responsibility on that player. I guess they feel they're not going to have a drop-off and we didn't commit $13 million (to Scott Wells). They're probably in shock that Wells got that kind of money. There's no way I see the Packers paying that kind of money for that position. They saved almost 50% of the money and they probably feel they got a better player for a year. It's a stopgap position for them now. We'll see how (Evan) Dietrich-Smith develops, and they'll probably draft another guard-center guy just to back up."

Quarterback: "I think they think they're going to get a third-round pick as a (compensatory) next year for Matt Flynn. So they will use a third-round pick this year for a quarterback."

Running back: "It's been the most misevaluated position they've had. I've always thought (Ryan) Grant was just average. If they ever really had an elite back. . . . They're the Green Bay Packers. You've got to get yourself an elite back. They've put a lot into it but they really, truly, don't have that bell cow guy. They don't have anybody that anybody in this league fears. I thought they were going to draft (Mark) Ingram last year but he wasn't there."

Fullback: "(John) Kuhn has actually done some pretty damn good things running the ball. Hey, I'm sold on him. How often is their fullback out there? They feel good about developing that spot."

Defensive end: "They're just kind of piecing it together right now. They've not replaced Cullen Jenkins. That guy was a pretty good player. It wouldn't surprise me if they went high on a D-lineman."

Nose tackle: "They've got a Pro Bowl player so I don't think it's a need. This is where you get in the middle rounds and get depth."

Outside linebacker: "It's a (major) need because in that defense those guys play outside linebacker on first and second downs but on third down they become your edge rushers. That position, to them, is probably more valuable than the 5-technique (end). That position is as needy as the 5-technique. Last year they could have gone with an outside pass rusher. It still needs to be addressed. And without Cullen Jenkins it became more of a need."

Inside linebacker: "D.J. Smith is too small. In that defense, they need big guys that can play. I can see why A.J. Hawk didn't have that great of a year. When your front five is not playing well that affects your inside guys. The reason why the Packers are sticking with A.J. Hawk is they feel they had such a drop-off up front that it affected his play."

Cornerback: "Yes, they need to get another (top) corner. No question about it. They'll be looking. Corner is always a position of need in the NFL. If there's one there they will take him, but it's not the top priority. It's not like in the first round they've got to have a corner."

Safety: "Without (Nick) Collins, I see a void. Not just need. Void. They don't have a starter. They'd be losing a Pro Bowl, impact player and you got a bunch of journeymen. They're looking hard for safeties. No doubt about it. I keep hearing about (Charles) Woodson going there. I could see that. It may be that he doesn't want to go there. It's a nice thing to say but a hard thing to do. The talk makes sense to me, but how much does it weaken them at corner? That's why you don't do it. If (Collins) comes back, then it's not a void. "

Kicker: "They have their kicker."

Punter: "It was probably the best year they ever had from a punter."

Return specialist: "They finally solved that problem with Cobb."

Long snapper: "The best thing about those guys is when you don't hear about them."

Special-teams ace: "Jarrett Bush is their ace."