AJ Hawk or Mario Williams

Who should the Green Bay Packers take with the number 5 overall pick in this April's 2006 draft. Short and quick answer...A.J. Hawk. Granted, I don't like people who refer to themselves by initials instead of names but the guy is polished and has competed against the best of the best at the college level.

I've been reading a lot of experts' mock drafts and it seems that all of them have Green Bay taking NC State's Defensive End Mario Williams. Although this wouldn't be a bad pick, I don't think he's the correct one. For the following reasons. First, Williams is a junior and a bit less polished than Hawk. Secondly, it's been said that Williams has been known to take plays off. Thirdly, IF these first two points are true how in the world is the current GB coaching staff going to motivate and improve his game? I don't see that happening. Finally, if Mario Williams were to miss any amount of training camp due to contract negotiations he'd fall that much more behind to the point where I don't think he'd be able to substantially contribute on the field in the first half of the season.

What the Packers need from their first round pick (which they haven't got lately), is a defensive playmaker who WILL start from day one of the season and contribute positively throughout the season. Green Bay is in such a terrible place right now that they cannot afford to let a rookie develop. A.J. Hawk is the right pick. Let's see what McCarthy and Thompson do.