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Green Bay Packers: Is Ted Thompson A Late Round Guru?

By Joe Kiemen

Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers EVP, general manager, and director of football operations Ted Thompson speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers EVP, general manager, and director of football operations Ted Thompson speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) watches as his kick is good against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Oakland Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

It is in his first three seasons that Ted Thompson developed his reputation of finding hidden gems. Just who were these late round steals?

2005

  • Junius Coston, Center, North Carolina – “non-impact.”
  • Mike Hawkins, Cornerback, Oklahoma- “non-impact.”
  • Michael Montgomery, DE Texas A&M- “non-impact.”
  • Craig Bragg, WR, UCLA – “non-impact.”
  • Kurt Campbell, LB, Albany – “non-impact.”
  • William William Whitticker, G, Michigan State – “non-impact.”

Luckily for Thompson, he drafted Aaron Rodgers, Nick Collins and Brady Poppinga in the early rounds. In his first year on the job, the Packers GM did not come away with a quality player in rounds 5-7.

2006

  • Ingle Martin, QB, Furman – “non-impact”
  • Tony Moll, T, Nevada- “contributor.”
  • Johnny Jolly, DT, Texas A&M – “contributor.”
  • Tyrone Culver, S, Fresno State – “non-impact.”
  • Dave Tollefson, DE, Northwest Missouri State – “non-impact.”

In his second year, Thompson landed to contributors in Tony Moll and Johnny Jolly. In 2006, Moll went on to play in every game and earned starts at both guard and tackle. Injuries eventually cut his career short in Green Bay. But for a 5th round pick, Thompson got value out of his selection.

In his rookie season, Johnny Jolly cracked the lineup due to injuries. He remained a part of the defensive tackle rotation until his 2010 suspension for drugs. A 2013 comeback attempt was cut short by a neck injury that ultimately ended his career.

2007

  • David Clowney, WR, Virginia Tech – “non-impact.”
  • Korey Hall, DB, Boise State – “contributor.”
  • Desmond Bishop, LB, California – “contributor.”
  • Mason Crosby, K, Colorado – “contributor.”
  • DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida – “non-impact.”
  • Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers – “non-impact”

In 2007, Thompson found three contributors, each of which helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2010. Korey Hall will be remembered for catching Aaron Rodgers first touchdown pass as a starter. Desmond Bishop became an eventual starter and gave Green Bay an aggressive, hard-hitting middle linebacker. Unfortunately, injuries cut short what looked to be a promising career.

Kicker, Mason Crosby has gone through up’s, and down’s in Green Bay but is currently one of the league’s top kickers. His game-winner at Dallas will go down as one of the best field goals in franchise history.

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