1. Defensive Line - either a nose tackle or 5-technique
Guion's ability to play nose tackle or the 5-technique gives Thompson the flexibility to draft a player to play either of those spots and Guion can fill whatever role is needed. Players like Vernon Butler and Austin Johnson could probably play either, would be really nice to grab one of those two and then figure out the best who-plays-where combination in training camp.
2. Linebacker
Not convinced that the organization has Matthews' role set in stone. If Thompson sees an inside linebacker that he likes early, he drafts him and if that guy can play right away then Matthews goes outside. If Thompson sees an outside linebacker that he likes early, he drafts him and then Matthews goes inside. Thompson will target linebacker early but once inside that positional group will just look at value, not get hung up over needing an inside guy versus an outside guy.
3. Running Back
Fans might get all excited about Lacy supposedly being in great shape, but I'd bet Thompson still isn't very happy with what he saw last year. Lacy didn't figure to be a 10-year player when he entered into the league due to his running style. Considering that and the fact that conditioning has already proven to be a major issue, would Thompson be willing to give Lacy a big contract if he has a big year? I'm not convinced. Starks is old. They really don't have anybody past those two. The coaches seemed to be fairly happy with Crockett at year's end but it would probably be best to view him as a camp body with a chance to win the #3 spot.
4. Offensive Line
Lots of talk about the four upcoming free agents but the Packer's won't lose all four. If they bring two back that's probably two starters + Bulaga + Linsley...only leaving one opening to fill. Use a middle round pick this year and an early to middle round pick next year and hopefully find a starter between those two players. I really think the priority in this draft for the offensive line went down when Thompson gave Lane Taylor that two year deal. It's pretty obvious that Thompson sees him as being on the 53-man roster next year. Bakhtiari, Sitton, Linsley, Lang, Bulaga, Tretter, Taylor...already up to seven and most of the time there are only 8 offensive linemen on the roster. Thompson only really needs one, could take a second one later and carry 9 but that isn't a necessity. Rotheram still figures into the mix.
5. Defensive line
Lots of factors go into the second defensive lineman they pick. Is Ringo a keeper? If he is then they are set at 3-technique with Daniels and Ringo and can focus on adding another big body. If Ringo is a camp body, then a backup 3-technique is in play. Does Pennel move to the nose and take over the backup role there? If so then they can focus on a 5-technique. This would be a second defensive lineman picked, what spot does the first one project too? It's essential that they start the year with 6 defensive linemen and right now they have Daniels, Guion, Boyd (coming off injury), Pennel (suspended), Ringo (practice squad). Thompson will have to take two players here, and not unreasonable to think that he might take three.
6. Linebacker
If an outside linebacker is picked first, then they go inside second and vice versa. They need to pick two linebackers but I don't think Thompson would be motivated to double-up on two inside linebackers unless he was dead-set on Matthews playing outside which I don't think he is.
7. Safety
They need to find a real safety for depth. Not a special teams guy like Banjo. Not a nickel back like Hyde. A real safety to get a little insurance if one of the two starters go down.
Don't really see Thompson being that motivated to go after pass-catchers. With Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Mongomery, Abbrederis, Janis...if he drafts a receiver and nobody gets hurt in training camp then you spent a pick on a player that has to pass through waivers where he is potentially lost, or cut Abbrederis who Thompson spent a fifth round pick on and probably won't want to cut. The Packers have already been connected to about a half dozen receivers that figure to be seventh round picks or undrafted, seems like Thompson would be perfectly content to sign a couple undrafted guys to the practice squad. Tight end has Rodgers, Cook, Perillo, Backman (who Thompson spent a draft pick on and won't want to cut) and Henry. There were some positive things said about Henry at the end of the year, we can sit here and speculate on how much of that was legitimate. But I will say this, if Henry did show anything last year then Thompson probably would favor him over most the tight ends that will be found late in this draft. Bottom line is the Packers already have three tight ends with a really good chance of making the 53-man roster...plus a fourth that Ted spent a draft pick on...plus a fifth if they legitimately like Henry. There just may not be a spot open to pick another one. Even with losing Heyward, cornerback seems pretty well stocked. Nine picks, seven positions where I feel pretty confident will take players, that leaves two picks where Thompson can take a second offensive lineman, another pass-catcher, a cornerback, a third quarterback...whatever players float his boat. But those seven positions listed above, I feel pretty confident that Thompson will fill all of those.