FSH: ON THE TICKER

April 8th, 2009 11:27pm PST

17 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT

NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker

On the Board: Green Bay Packers....
The Packers will have some big decisions to make on draft day, but there's little doubt that there focus with the number nine pick will be on the defense come April 25th. Checking all around the football globe or internet, it appears the popular choice for the Pack would be Penn State outside linebacker/defensive end, Aaron Maybin.

(Photo by Newscom)

With the Packers changing their defensive scheme to a 3-4 this coming season under Dom Capers (remember the Steelers with Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd). Capers is going to bring back the Steeler's-like 3-4 Blitzburgh scheme to Lambeau, and a player like Maybin could fit the bill nicely as a playmaker on the edge.

Maybin has enough size to play on the edge and great speed to give opposing offenses plenty of fits. At Penn State Maybin led the Big Ten with 12 sacks and registered 20 tackles for loss as a sophomore. The outstanding soph looks ready for the next step and Green Bay appears to be a great landing spot for the kid to take his next big step.

The Packers have plenty of other needs, but with a new defense being brought in finding playmakers to fill the roles will be priority number one. Other candidates that could get consideration at number nine (if they are still available), are Texas' Brian Orakpo, Florida State's Everette Brown, and Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy has brought in a new defensive coordinator (Capers), so it would seem only fitting to give him the tools he'll need to revamp the Packers defense.


Check back every day for more "On the Ticker!"