Packers Take Iowa's Bulaga With 23rd Pick

An admitted Bears fan growing up, offensive tackle/guard Bryan Bulaga became the newest member of the Packers Thursday.    

The 6'5", 315 pound lineman was expected by many to be taken much earlier in the first round, but fell to the Packers with the 23rd pick. Packers' general manager Ted Thompson called Bulaga a "value pick". In Bulaga, the Packers got a highly touted prospect and addressed an immediate need.

Last season, the Green Bay offensive line was a serious weak spot on an otherwise efficient Packer offense. Bulaga probably won't enter the season as a starter, barring an injury to someone else on the line, but given the age and injury history of left tackle Chad Clifton, Bulaga could see significant playing time at some point in the season.

I think Bulaga is a good fit for the Packers. He is a native of the midwest, played in the Big Ten, has a great work ethic and fills an immediate need. He has been described as a high character individual, something that is important to the Packers.

He has been criticized by many scouts for his poor play against Michigan's Brandon Graham and had a thyroid condition that caused him to miss three games in 2009. He is just 21 years old and chose to enter the draft and forgo his senior season at Iowa.

Only time will tell if Bulaga turns out to be a great pick or a bust. But for the time being, the Packers should be satisfied with their first round pick.