With the 2012 NFL Draft only days away, the Green Bay Packers have made several roster moves.
On Monday, Green Bay agreed on a 1-year contract with outside linebacker Erik Walden. Walden started 15 games in 2011, but never made much of an impact, despite receiving little attention playing opposite of Clay Matthews.
In his two years as a Packer, Walden has played in 25 regular season games, and has totaled 85 tackles, six sacks, and a fumble recovery.
The Packers also parted ways with two very familiar faces, releasing left tackle Chad Clifton on Monday and safety Nick Collins on Wednesday.
The Packers cut Clifton after he failed a physical. Clifton, originally a second-round draft pick in 2000, played 165 games in his 12 seasons as a Packer, the second most by a Packer offensive tackle behind only Forrest Gregg (187 games). Clifton was a Pro-Bowler in 2007 and 2010.
Green Bay has a few options to replace the veteran, with 3rd year tackle Marshall Newhouse the likely candidate took take over the starting role. The Packers' first round pick from 2011, Derek Sherrod, will also compete for the job, and Green Bay will probably select another tackle in this year's draft.
Green Bay also released safety Nick Collins, who suffered a season-ending neck injury in week 2 this past season. Collins underwent neck fusion surgery in September, and while that surgery reportedly went well, the Packers have been skeptical to allow Collins back on the field.
Collins was a second round pick in the 2005 draft, the same draft that brought Aaron Rodgers to Green Bay. In seven seasons Collins has recorded 417 tackles, 21 interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns. Perhaps his most memorable play was his pick-six off Ben Roethlissberger in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV.
Collins was voted to the NFL All-Pro Second Team and the Pro-Bowl for three straight years (2008-2010). His presence will be missed in the Packers secondary.
The Packers will most likely look to the draft to replace Collins, as depth at safety is relatively low for Green Bay, and consists of M.D. Jennings, an undrafted rookie in 2011 who only saw special teams action last year, and Anthony Levine, an undrafted rookie from 2010 who has yet to leave the practice squad. Another potential option for Green Bay is to move 14-year veteran Charles Woodson from corner to safety.
Look for Green Bay to address needs at defensive end, outside linebacker, and safety in this year's NFL draft. The Packers will probably also add an offensive lineman, a quarterback, and a running back to replace the likely-departing Ryan Grant.
