Packers Morning Buzz: Why Green Bay should draft a QB in the first round

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with Bucky Brooks of NFL.com making the case for the Packers to draft a quarterback with one of their two first-round picks.

Brooks writes:

I know this take might come as a bit of a surprise, considering the team signed No. 12 to a four-year, $134 million extension just last August, but the Packers need to invest in a successor to the 35-year-old perennial Pro Bowl passer and they need to do it now.

While Rodgers hasn't shown any signs of slowing down as an MVP-caliber player, he has been banged up in each of the past two seasons (played most of last year with a tibial plateau fracture and missed nine games the year before) and the Packers are in the perfect position -- both as a team and in terms of draft capital -- to grab a talented quarterback as an insurance policy and eventual successor. With three selections in the first 45 picks, including Nos. 12 and 30 overall, general manager Brian Gutekunst can pick up a youngster with legitimate starting potential at the top of the draft.

Considering NFL starting quarterbacks tend to overwhelmingly be first-round picks, the Packers would be wise to use their extra first-rounder (No. 30 overall) on a promising quarterback prospect with the arm talent, athleticism and football IQ to become a long-term starter. This was certainly the thought process when the Packers selected Aaron Rodgers with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 draft despite having a 35-year-old three-time MVP at the helm. ...

That's why I'm not surprised by the team's decision to host Missouri's Drew Lock on a pre-draft visit or their failed attempt to get Duke's Daniel Jones into the building for a sit-down. The Packers have been able to remain a viable contender for the last 20-plus years due to solid quarterback play. Mapping out a transition plan from No. 12 is a smart business decision that doesn't present any serious risks.

You can read the rest of Brooks' column here:

And Brooks expounds on his argument here:

The Packers figure to be in search of a safety in the draft:

This Bucks' minority investor is pleased with how the NBA playoffs are going:

J.J. Watt is excited about coming back to practice with Texans against the Packers:

Our draft preview series looks at three key positions:

Another day, another seven-round mock draft as Thursday's first round rapidly approaches. This one, from Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, projects the Packers to land an edge rusher and an offensive lineman in Round 1, and then take a familiar name in Round 2:

12 PACKERS

Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State   
Burns played at 235 pounds last season but showed up at the combine at 249. He quickly alleviated questions about how that weight would affect his speed by blazing a 4.53 40-yard dash. He reminds us of Aldon Smith on the field and the Packers would gladly welcome that production.  

30 PACKERS

From New Orleans

Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State 
Risner was one of the best college right tackles last season, and he did nothing to change that assessment with solid performances at the Senior Bowl and the combine. He'll likely make his living as an interior linemen in the NFL, but his versatility will serve him well in Green Bay. 

44

PACKERS

Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware   
Adderley is a converted cornerback who can cover in the slot or play center field. His athleticism makes him a great fit in Green Bay's defense.

You can inspect the entire seven-round mock draft here:

New England's Bill Belichick was the only active coach who served on the panel to select the NFL's 100 greatest players and made an impassioned argument for 1930s Packers star Clark Hinkle:

Packers tight end Jimmy Graham is still soaring:

ESPN did a deep dive examining the saga of former Packers first-round draft pick Tony Mandarich:

Mandarich says he gets invited back to Green Bay when the Packers have events for former players, but he declines because that part of his life is behind him, and he thinks he’d get booed:

The draft story that Packers fans never get tired of hearing:

Brett Favre offered advice for today's generation of athletes during a talk in Tennessee:

Reggie Cobb played one season for the Packers, rushing for 579 yards and three TDs in 1994:

The Packers drafted 12th in 1961 and Vince Lombardi landed a future Hall of Famer, writes Acme Packing Co.:

And finally .... 

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt