Could Colorado State C Weston Richburg be a First-Round Option for the Packers?

Colorado State center Weston Richburg might be a first-round possibility for the Packers, per a report.

The Green Bay Packers and their first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft have been tied to a number of players, mostly the usual candidates at inside linebacker and safety and a few receivers and tight ends. 

A surprise possibility might be Colorado State center Weston Richburg. 

According to Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, the Packers are one of three teams being whispered to have interest in Richburg in the first round. The two others are the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who attempted to sign center Alex Mack this offseason, are in play at the start of the second round. 

Pauline reports Richburg is "drawing comparisons" to Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold, thanks to his smarts, athleticism and technique. 

The Packers are likely in the market for a center. Evan Dietrich-Smith, who started all 16 games at center for Green Bay last sesaon, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. The Packers remain high on 2013 fourth-round pick J.C. Tretter, and Don Barclay might have the ability to move inside to center, but the position is far from settled. 

A four-year starter at Colorado State, Richburg played center, left tackle and guard. His last 26 starts all came at center, and his 50 career starts are a school record. He stands 6'3" and weighs 298 pounds. 

Richburg's line versatility and experience at center make him an attractive possibility. While Ted Thompson has only drafted one pure center (Junius Coston) since 2005, he's proven his affinity for versatile lineman who have tackle experience. Richburg fits the bill. 

Photo courtesy of Colorado State athletic department.

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Comments (32)

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Evan's picture

April 18, 2014 at 10:45 am

Seriously.

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ben's picture

April 19, 2014 at 04:21 am

me 2

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BradHTX's picture

April 18, 2014 at 10:54 am

Move along, nothing to see her. Pauline doesn't offer any sources, just says ambiguously "he's been told" the Packers have interest.

The Packers would take Jadeveon Clowney if he fell to them.

There, now sports "journalists" can say there are "whispers" the Packers are interested in Clowney.

Doesn't mean it's going to happen, and it won't happen with this guy either. Everything the Packers have said and done indicates they're going to roll with Tretter. That's all that matters.

If I'm wrong and they take this guy in the first, I will (unhappily) eat my hat.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 18, 2014 at 04:39 pm

I don't always agree with everything TT does, but when he never drafts interior linemen in rounds one or two, I do.

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RCPackerFan's picture

April 18, 2014 at 10:59 am

I can see the 2nd round, but I don't think Richburg is a 1st round player.

Remember this time of year rumors are going to be swirling. Anything being said that a team is rumored to be interested in a player should be taken with discretion.

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MarkinMadison's picture

April 18, 2014 at 11:05 am

Packers? No way. They just dumped a guy because they want to "get bigger" at the position. So they are going to bring in a guy who is sub-300?

And first round? I haven't heard that anyone thinks this guy has a first round grade. Feels like a reach. If the Packers are whispering, my guess is they are just trying enhance their ability to trade back.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 18, 2014 at 01:03 pm

Agreed. Reach.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

April 18, 2014 at 11:26 am

A first round pick with what we need, not for me.

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zoellner25's picture

April 18, 2014 at 12:02 pm

I center in Round 1 would be the dumbest move ever. I never even heard of this guy. We have far bigger needs.

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tm_inter's picture

April 18, 2014 at 01:45 pm

Last year the Cowboys drafted a center in the first round and became the league's laughing stock. Ted Thompson won't go that route this year.

I have a hunch that the Packers will trade back from the 21st pick to early second round in exchange for extra picks - hopefully an extra 3rd rounder. This way we can get an excellent corner back or safety, a sure-tackling linebacker who is also fast, a wide receiver as well as a tight end with our first four picks during the first two days of the draft. Mission accomplished, I'll sit back and enjoy watching TT find hidden gems on the third day.

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Evan's picture

April 18, 2014 at 01:47 pm

"This way we can get an excellent corner back or safety, a sure-tackling linebacker who is also fast, a wide receiver as well as a tight end with our first four picks during the first two days of the draft. "

That's my hope without even trading back in the 1st.

Don't forget, they have that comp 3rd rounder. They already have 4 picks in the first 2 days.

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Otto's picture

April 18, 2014 at 10:42 pm

I agree with your theory of trading back in the 1st. If this is "the deepest draft in 30 yrs", then why not get as many picks in the top 100 as possible? There will be impact ILBs like Bullough and Borland available in the 2nd, as well as, impact WR and OL.
I wouldn't mind one of TT's 11-13 player drafts. They need help at ILB, S, WR, OL, TE, KR and they could use depth everywhere.
It would be a good year to let everyone on the team know they aren't handed their position, they're competing for it.

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JimTaylor31's picture

April 18, 2014 at 03:49 pm

Nah. Anytime folks in the media report a team "loves" a player it's usually the result of a gullible sports writer being hoodwinked into leaking misinformation. Especially when the player probably isn't a first round talent anyhow. I'd be OK with Richburg but no way Ted will reach that big for a center in the first round.

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Mojo's picture

April 18, 2014 at 04:50 pm

Could Colorado State C Weston Richburg be a First-Round Option for the Packers? Um - no.

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4thand1's picture

April 18, 2014 at 05:02 pm

Tony Pauline thinks so.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 01:01 am

I see 6 out of the 9 getting injured in training camp. Total draft bust by Cow the super GM.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 08:10 am

And how many games did Jordy miss last year? CMIII was a freak thumb. Broken heel for Perry, yeah that happens every day. Hamstrings are an epidemic in pro football these days.

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ben's picture

April 21, 2014 at 04:36 am

I couldn't be a bigger fan of 176-236. I love those guys.

As far as a C/G goes:
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in the 3rd-4th or Russell Bodine in the 4th-5th

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Nashville Packer's picture

April 18, 2014 at 11:13 pm

It's hard to understand why Packers fans are so dismissive of using this draft to stabilize the offensive line. Bulaga seems to be penciled in at RT and Sherrod as the third tackle, but no one knows if either will overcome their injury history.

The center position is a true need because of all the turnover there in recent years. Set aside whether Richburg is worth No. 21, it seems wise to use high draft choices on players who can block for Rodgers and Lacy.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 01:03 am

Dismissive is the key word. TT won't give anyone a clue who the Packers are going to draft.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 08:15 am

Again, you are just guessing. You have no idea what the Packers will do. If the BPA is an o-lineman, take him. This is supposed to be a deep draft. You worry waaaaay to much about things that are out of your control. Bikthtari was a 4th rounder whats your beef?

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 09:23 am

I'm not concerned in the least. Again there's not a dam thing I or anybody but the Packers can do about the draft. Injuries happen and injured players do come back and have been highly productive. Yes I'd like to see high impact players drafted and contribute right away, but that happens rarely. All the Packers need IMO is to get better on defense and I believe they will. To bitch about injured players is just banging your head against the wall. Its part of the game and the Packers , like every other team will do anything to prevent them.

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Jordan's picture

April 19, 2014 at 04:24 pm

Nashville packer,

I wouldn't rule it out that they take this guy. But I can't see them taking him at 21. If they were to trade back, I guess I could see it.

I was never a big EDS fan. I'm not a big TJ lang fan either. So if Tretter took Lang's spot....I'd like that. The Packers could use Lang as their backup for LG,RG, and C.

I wonder how many points the packers offense would have scored against Seattle's defense? They were only able to score 20 at home against the 49ers.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 10:34 am

Every year is a new year of change. The salary cap will dictate every teams ability to be competitive. Good players leave every team that fans fall in love with. The business end of football sucks some times. Younger is the way because its cheap. If Denver fails to win a SB, they're fucked for years. They got embarrassed by a younger team with a QB that makes as much money as a guy covering kicks on special teams. Just make the playoffs, that's what I care about.

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4thand1's picture

April 19, 2014 at 01:54 pm

That's your assessment, without giving players a chance to develop.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 19, 2014 at 11:05 pm

Yes, but, how many of those "misses" are not on the team because they failed to beat out players that TT had already drafted previously? You see what I'm saying here? If EVERY 2014 draftee makes the team, doesn't that mean some players picked in earlier years get cut and are then counted as "misses"?

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Mojo's picture

April 19, 2014 at 03:08 pm

Agree with Cow here. I think the Packers MO is fine, but they need to do a better job of recognizing talent. They've had a lot of draft picks over the years, but outside of a handful, not enough playmakers.

Injuries certainly have not helped. I still don't know if Sherrod can play because he's been out almost his entire career with the leg injury. He sure has pro-size. He didn't look great when he did play his first year, but he was just a pup. Same with Perry. Great measurables but is always hurt. Neal great athlete but also always with nagging injuries. If any of these injured guys can play a year without getting crippled some of the position holes will be filled even before the draft.

Speaking of the draft, I kind of like Cow's picks above. I wouldn't take Fuller at 21 though. There would be a lot more appealing options for me there. I do like Brooks in the second. Don't know if your middle round picks would be there when GB selects, but they would be nice additions. The lower round guys would be worth a look and could be available where GB drafts.

Anyway, this should be a very interesting draft, with a lot of teams moving up and down more than normal. Great chance for GB to plug some holes and make a strong run at the SB. But Ted has to be on his game.

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JimTaylor31's picture

April 20, 2014 at 10:44 am

Seems like I read recently that the team with the most original draft picks still on their roster is the Packers. If that is the case and given the Packers are a perennial playoff team, I would think you can infer that Ted is doing a pretty good job of drafting. He's had some bloopers for sure, but all GMs have their share and some GMs have more than their share.

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4thand1's picture

April 20, 2014 at 09:24 am

3 slobs don't like making the playoffs. Guess they want the #1 overall pick which means the Pack will be bottom feeders. Then they can rejoice and get a clown like Clowney.

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Mojo's picture

April 20, 2014 at 04:23 pm

Playoffs are great, but I want to win SB's. As it stands now, not enough difference makers on the roster. Say what you want, but their record in the playoffs since the SB win hasn't been good. That's because the other teams have been better.

And as what to JimTaylor said, the reason the Pack have so many drafted players on the roster is that Ted doesn't sign very many FA's. You have to play someone.

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YGB69's picture

April 19, 2014 at 09:56 am

SUCKER ... that's what this article is all about. No center in the first round .... at least not at 21, and even not then with all the other top notch players available.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 21, 2014 at 01:45 am

I have been concerned about the center position, and the tackle position to a lesser extent. But drafting a center in the 1st round - um, no. Not in the 2nd round either. Maybe in the 3rd if someone falls, and better in the 4th rd. TT has made his bed and probably will have to hope Tretter or another internal option is the answer, or possibly another teams cuts a center this summer.

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