Green Bay Packers: 5 best NFL Draft picks of all-time

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Nov 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Packers defeated the Vikings 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Clay Matthews (2009: First round, 26th overall)

Ted Thompson may not be known for a tendency to make monumental trades during the NFL Draft, but that is exactly what the Green Bay Packers general manager did in 2009.

The Packers sent the No. 41, No. 73 and No. 83 overall picks to the New England Patriots in exchange for the No. 26 overall and No. 126 overall selections. The decision to move back into the first round after selecting longtime starting defensive lineman B.J. Raji with the ninth overall pick paid off in a big way.

Green Bay drafted Clay Matthews, a fifth-year senior linebacker out of USC, with its first round pick acquired from New England. Just seven years into his NFL career, he has already solidified his status as one of the best players at the position in team history.

Matthews enters the 2016 season ranked third on the Packers’ all-time sack list with 67.5. If he keeps up his career pace, he will surpass Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila’s team record of 74.5 sacks sometime this fall. Matthews was also an integral part of the 2010 team that won the Super Bowl, and has missed just one Pro Bowl in his entire career.

Not bad for a former college walk-on.

Next: No. 4

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