Predicting The Impact Of Each Of The Packers' 2016 Draft Picks

OTAs are underway around the NFL, as the teams get their first look at their draft picks in an NFL uniform. The Green Bay Packers made the playoffs last year, and they'll be counting on a few rookies to play notable roles in their attempt to win another Super Bowl. But what kind of impact will the Packers' 2016 draft class have?

The short-term impact is based on what the rookies will do early in their careers. For the early round picks, that refers to their first year or two at most. For some of the later picks, that might mean the entirety of their first contract. The long-term impact is what the Packers are hoping these players become, if they are actually able to make a long-term impact. Remember, plenty of draft picks simply don't last long in the NFL.

With all that out of the way, here's the impact each Packers' draft pick could have. 

DT Kenny Clark - Round 1, Pick No. 27

Short-Term Impact: Starter
The Packers are without B.J. Raji, who retired, and won't have Mike Pennel for the first four games because of a suspension. The only sure-fire starter on the D-Line is Mike Daniels. That leaves a spot for Clark at either nose guard or defensive end. He can play either in the Packers' 3-4 scheme, although nose tackle is his best fit. He should be a starter for several years. 

Long-Term Impact: See Above

OT Jason Spriggs - Round 2, Pick No. 48

Short-Term Impact: Backup
The Packer are set at tackle with David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga at tackle and Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang at guard. They also have Don Barclay at swing tackle and JC Tretter as the swing guard. As a result, Spriggs won't be seeing the field unless injuries decimate the Packers' offensive line. 

Long-Term Impact: Starter
But Spriggs will be a starter and it could come as soon as 2017. Bakhtiari, Sitton, Lang and Tretter are all impending free agents and there's just no way the Packers can bring them all back. That means Spriggs will have a starting spot somewhere, although it's still unclear if that's at guard or tackle. 

OLB Kyler Fackrell - Round 3, Pick No. 88

Short-Term Impact: Backup
With Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Datone Jones and Nick Perry at OLB, there simply isn't room for Fackrell to see the field early in his rookie year. He'll help out on special teams, but Fackrell won't be winning a starting job. 

Long-Term Impact: Starter
Peppers is already 36 and doesn't have many years left, and Matthews isn't getting any younger either. Neither Perry nor Jones has proven themselves as consistent pass rushers and Fackrell could beat them out in a year or two. While Fackrell won't start early in his career barring injuries, he could snag a starting job at some point. 

ILB Blake Martinez - Round 4, Pick No. 130

Short-Term Impact: Rotation Player
The Packers seem committed to starting Jake Ryan and Sam Barrington this year. There's also Carl Bradford as a backup, although it's not a stretch to see Martinez beating him out. Martinez can help on passing downs, and he could be the team's nickel or dime linebacker.  

Long-Term Impact: Starter
If Barrington and/or Ryan struggle, Martinez will get a starting shot. That's a very plausible outcome, and it could come sooner rather than later. Martinez seems like a future starter at ILB. 

DE Dean Lowry - Round 4, Pick No. 137

Short-Term Impact: Rotation Player
With the Packers thin at DE, as mentioned above, Lowry could get snaps early. He's a 3-4 DE and has enough athletic ability that he could be one of the few 3-4 DEs to actually get to the passer. He won't start right away, but he should play. 

Long-Term Impact: Starter
If everything goes according to play, the Packers will start Lowry-Clark and Mike Daniels up front in the coming years. The Packers have Guion at one spot for now, but he'll turn 29 this year and isn't making starter money. Lowry will need to beat him out, but that should happen eventually. 

WR Trevor Davis - Round 5, Pick No. 163

Short-Term Impact: Practice Squad
The Packers have Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis already on the roster. Davis will fight for a roster spot, but unless he wows on special teams as a return man, he'll likely be stuck on the practice squad to start his career.  

Long-Term Impact: Deep Threat
Davis can return kicks and has a solid size-speed combo. If he develops, he could become a deep threat for the Packers. Outside of Nelson, that's something the Packers lack. Davis won't be a No. 1 option, but he could be a player that helps to stretch the field in the mold of Kenny Stills. 

OT David Murphy - Round 6, Pick No. 200

Short-Term Impact: Backup/Practice Squad
As mentioned with Spriggs, Murphy won't start. If he makes the roster, it will be as the No. 4 tackle. Green Bay might not carry that many tackles, so Murphy could end up on the practice squad for a year. 

Long-Term Impact: Swing Tackle
Don't expect Murphy to end up as a starter in the NFL, but he could become a solid swing tackle. He played left tackle at Stanford, although he might be better off at right tackle in the pros. The Packers need depth on the line next year, and that's what Murphy will provide. 

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Related Topics: Kenny Clark, Jason Spriggs, Packers NFL Draft, Packers News, 2016 NFL Draft