Aaron Rodgers proved without a doubt last season that he was a better QB than the version of Brett Favre that played with the Jets last season.  Rodgers was outstanding in every facet of the game for the Packers last year.  He has a good arm, is intelligent with the football and he’s a good runner.  With a season of experience under his belt there is no reason not to think that Rodgers could very well be playing in the Pro Bowl this year.  2nd year QBs Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm will battle for the backup job again this season.  Flynn beat out Brohm in somewhat of a surprise last season and he will go into training camp as the #2 guy.  Brohm better step up if he wants to keep getting paid to play football.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  A-

The Packers traded up back into the first round to select outside linebacker Clay Matthews.  Matthews has nice size at 6′3″, 246 pounds and he’s definately fast enough (4.7 40) to handle the outside.  Matthews also has great bloodlines as both his dad (Clay) and uncle (Bruce) were both outstanding NFL players.  He still had to work for everything he got as he was a walk on as a freshman with the USC Trojans.  Matthews played in 48 games (12 starts) in his career and he has made 96 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, has 5.5 sacks and he broke up 4 passes.  He is just scratching the surface of his potential as his best football is ahead of him.

The Packers got exactly what they wanted with their top pick as they didn’t think Raji would be there for them.  Raji is the most powerful defensive lineman in this draft at 6′1″, 334 pounds.  He is a beast against the run and he can get to the QB up the middle at times.  Raji played 4 years for Boston College appearing in 49 games (38 starts) in which he made 105 tackles, 32.5 tackles for a loss, had 14 sacks, batted down 9 balls and he forced 1 fumble.  Raji will be a starter from Day #1 for the Packers and he should free up the inside linebackers by taking on double teams.  The run defense should definately improve with Raji on board.

The Packers have traded long snapper J.J. Jansen to the Panthers for a undisclosed 2011 Draft Pick.  Jansen was a undrafted rookie last season who spent his entire rookie season on the Injured Reserve List.  This was a master stroke for GM Ted Thompson who essentially got something for nothing.

The Packers have signed C/G Duke Preston.  The 26-year old Preston played in 15 games (11 starts) for the Bills last season.  He has now played in 59 games (20 starts) in his NFL career to date.  The 6′5″, 326 pound Preston should push for the starting job in Training Camp this season for the Packers on the interior of the O-Line.  This was a good signing as Preston is just starting to come into his own.