GREEN BAY, Wis. -- If ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay were running the Green Bay Packers, they would come away from the draft with a defensive tackle, a tight end and an inside linebacker in the first three rounds.

In his “Grade: A” mock draft released on Tuesday, McShay played general manager for all 32 teams. Stepping in for Packers GM Ted Thompson, McShay grabbed the following players in the first three rounds:

Round 1 (No. 27 overall) : Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

Round 2 (No. 57) : Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State

Round 3 (No. 88): B.J. Goodson, ILB, Clemson

Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Vernon Butler could help fill B.J. Raji's spot if the Packers go that way in the first round. AP Photo/L.G. Patterson

It might seem a little low for the Packers to fill their perceived biggest need, inside linebacker, but McShay was wise not to pass up a prototypical 3-4 defensive tackle in Butler (who can help offset the loss of B.J. Raji) and then address the biggest need on offense with Vannett at tight end.

Given that on Friday the Packers cut linebacker Nate Palmer, they must feel more comfortable with Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan on the inside than most people think. Palmer started 10 games after Barrington got hurt only to be replaced by Ryan late in the year. At this point, Barrington and Ryan are penciled in as the two starters with Clay Matthews moving back to outside linebacker.

Yes, the Packers made their only free-agent move at tight end, signing Jared Cook. But his one-year deal may make him only a stop-gap player and as McShay pointed out, it’s never a bad thing to give Aaron Rodgers another weapon, especially down the middle of the field. That’s an area coach Mike McCarthy said his offense must take advantage of this season.

Keep in mind, this isn’t a mock draft per se, but rather what McShay would do if he were the general manager for every team.

It’s a concept that Mel Kiper Jr. has been doing for years. A look back at Kiper’s “Grade: A” mock for the Packers from last year can be found here.