Gridiron Experts is randomly picking NFL teams to evaluate their off-season acquisitions. We are predicting their game plan heading into the NFL Draft, using last year’s stats as a guide for improvement.

The post Favre days are among us. Fans have moved on; although still reminiscing the days when number 4 led the NFL, Aaron Rodgers has won over most of the die hard cheese-heads. The Packers had a roller coaster of a season in 2008, with streaks of wins and losses, just toying with the fans for a playoff appearance. Overall, Green Bay ranked above average in many categories on offense and defense, but the glaring stat that stood on it’s own was the rushing defense. The Packers allowed an average of 131 rushing yards per game, and gave up 20 rushing touchdowns. Stats can be distorted, as the Packers do face the Vikings Adrian Peterson twice a year, but when the Detroit Lions are running for 100+ yards on you in both of their games, there are no excuses.

The Packers did nothing in free agency, which is a surprise considering there were a few cheap players that could have helped Green Bay’s run defense. Grady Jackson has been in the league for 12 seasons and is the size of a truck. Jackson is not an every down player but would have been great on 1st downs, but the Lions signed him early. The Packers need a Defensive Tackle, but could also use a pass rusher to help compliment Aaron Kampman. With the 9th overall pick, the Packers could be in a good position to draft B.J. Raji, although there are rumors that teams might be willing to leap frog up the draft board to grab this unique nose tackle. B.J Raji from Boston College is 6’1″, 335 pounds, and for a big guy he has great speed. Raji has the strength to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, but may be too heavy to play in a single gap scheme. While Raji is tempting, the smarter move might be to move down and gain an extra 2nd round pick, drafting a speed rusher like Everette Brown or Brian Orakpo, while going after a big nose tackle in the second round. Ron Brace who is also from Boston College is a monster nose tackle that could be there in the second round. Gridiron Experts thinks that whatever goes down on draft day, the Packers must address their defensive line. So all you Packer fans hoping for an offensive weapon to come to town, you might want to pop in the game tape against the Vikings from last season, where Purple Jesus nearly ran for 200 yards on you.