Green Bay Packers 2014 Draft: Hits, Misses and Maybes

Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Khyri Thornton (94) defends Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Misses

Round 3 (83) DL Khyri Thornton, S. Mississippi

Thornton’s selection felt a bit premature at the time, and after failing to appear in a game after landing on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury, Thornton is gone before Green Bay gets to see a single snap. After failing to make the Packers’ 53-man roster at a position where the door was left wide open, he was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots. There were questions of conditioning with Thornton, but in the end, this is a situation where we have to accept that nobody bats 1.000 in the NFL Draft.

Round 4 (121) LB Carl Bradford, Arizona State

Bradford was a great player with Arizona State, but between his size limitations and inability to find a position, none of that has translated to the NFL level. Bradford was also released by the Packers during their final roster cuts, but was signed to the practice squad after going unclaimed on waivers. Bradford made a lot of noise as a rush end in college, but failed to transition well to outside linebacker as part of Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme. The Packers then tried him out at inside linebacker, another position where there was great opportunity, but Bradford could could not piece together any resemblance of a fourth round draft pick.

Next: The Maybes: Is it their time to break out?