I really don't know how the Packers could have made two better choices.  To say I'm excited about their two picks is an understatement.  If there was one glaring problem with the Packers, it was their defense.  Green Bay had the 26th ranked rush defense last year which was one of the big reasons they went from 13-3 to 6-10 last year.  Green Bay spent the 9th pick in the draft on BJ Raji from Boston College.  Raji is a big time run stopper that will most likely beat out current starter Ryan Picket who stunk last year.

In a surprise move Green bay traded up to draft Clay Mathews with the 26th pick.  Mathews comes from a storied NFL family where his father was a standout linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and his uncle was a standout center for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.   Mathews was a walk on linebacker at USC and became one of the key members of the best defense in the NCAA last year.  Mathews will be a great addition to the Packers linebacker crew and should probably start as the fourth linebacker in the Packers new 3-4 defense.  Mathews played the exact same position in college and spent most of his career harassing opposing QBs, a trait the Packers desperately need on their defense.  Now Green Bay gave up a lot to get Mathews (1 2R and 2 3R picks) so this might be a risky pick but I expect Mathews to be one of the premier football players to come from this draft.

The two pics should help the Packers compete in a much improved NFC North division.  I think Chicago and Minnesota have improved over last year so you could see a real contest for the division title.  I tend to think Green Bay still has the best offense in the division but needed a lot of help on defense.  With a 3-4 defense Green Bay needs three large down linemen to protect their linebackers.  Since the defensive line was a glaring weakness last year, picking Raji should make a big difference.  If Cullen Jenkins can stay healthy a defensive line featuring Jenkins, Raji and Michael Montgomery should be an improvement over last year.