By the time the late rounds roll around, teams begin to ignore needs and instead take players they believe can make the roster. Many teams with strong rosters ignore their earlier selections and instead select players with high upside that have a chance to compete for a roster spot and provide the team with depth.
2013 NFL Draft results: Packers, Seahawks add depth
Finding roster spots behind solid starters like Clay Matthews and Marshawn Lynch could be a difficult challenge for the latest draft picks of the Packers and Seahawks.
In the latter half of the sixth round, some of the best NFL teams continued to add depth beginning with the Packers at 193, who were followed by the Seahawks, Texans, Vikings and Bengals, all teams that went to the playoffs in 2012.
193. Green Bay Packers: Nate Palmer, OLB, Illinois State
Palmer was a member of the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team in 2012 after leading the conference with 9.5 sacks and recording 10.5 tackles for loss. At 6’2, 248 pounds, he’s an ideal fit in the Packers system and has 4.73 speed. Palmer reportedly met with the Packers prior to the draft and impressed them in the workout.
With the Packers, Palmer will fight to earn a spot on the roster where he could be a depth player behind All-Pro Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
194. Seattle Seahawks: Spencer Ware, RB, LSU
After adding Christine Michael to the backfield with their first selection of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Seahawks added another player to an already stout running back corps with the selection of Ware. With Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin in the backfield too, it may be difficult for Ware to find a spot on the roster.
During his time at LSU, Ware tallied 367 yards rushing and one touchdown in 2012 before declaring for the NFL Draft and foregoing his senior season. He chose to leave the Tigers after his production dropped from 707 yards in his sophomore season.
195. Houston Texans: Alan Bonner, WR, Jacksonville State
The first selection for the Houston Texans was a receiver as they added DeAndre Hopkins to play alongside Andre Johnson, and they continued to add to their receiving corps with Alan Bonner.
Bonner is a 5’10, 193-pound receiver that ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds. That lack of speed for his size is likely the reason he wasn’t an earlier selection. However, he was a productive return specialist that should be able to contribute on special teams for the Texans. Keshawn Martin did not get the job done for the Texans in 2012 and Bonner may be able to step directly into his spot for the Texans in 2013.
196. Minnesota Vikings: Jeff Baca, G, UCLA
During Baca’s time at UCLA, he moved from tackle to guard as a senior and earned second-team All Pac-12 honors in 2012. The move suited him well as his 6’3, 300-pound frame worked well on the interior line. However, he still has growing to do at the position.
Depth along the offensive line was something that many thought the Vikings could look to address, but they elected not to do so in the early rounds. Instead the versatile Baca will have an opportunity to compete at a variety of positions for the Vikings.
197. Cincinnati Bengals: Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas
With their first-round selection, the Bengals gave quarterback Andy Dalton another target to throw to with Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert, but it wasn't until the sixth round that they added a receiver to the mix with Cobi Hamilton. While the Bengals have one of the best receivers in the NFL with A.J. Green, they haven't been able to find a consistent producer on the opposite side.
Hamilton was a very productive receiver at Arkansas, tallying 90 receptions for 1,335 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his senior year. At 6’2, 216 pounds with a 4.50 40-yard dash, he has the size of a starting receiver, but may take some time to develop before he has a chance to step into that role.
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