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Green Bay traded the 30th choice in the first round to the New York Jets for the No. 36 pick in the second round and the No. 113 choice in the fourth round. The Jets moved up to take Purdue tight end Dustin Keller, while the Packers selected Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson at No. 36.
''It was because the board was so strong at that particular time,'' Thompson said. ''We felt that was a good trade.''
Thompson said the Packers called around in the second round to move up to get Brian Brohm, the Louisville quarterback Green Bay eventually landed with the 56th pick in the second round.
''We were trying to move up just so you guys (reporters) know we can do that, but we weren't able to pull it off,'' said Thompson.
While Brohm will be given an opportunity to win the backup job behind starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Thompson said the Packers will continue to look for a veteran quarterback. They recently had Daunte Culpepper in for a visit.
''We are always exploring things,'' Thompson said. ''We'll keep kicking the tires.''
Run on linemen
If Green Bay had its sights set on adding depth along the offensive line, the cupboard was cleaned bare of top prospects in the first round.
There was a run on offensive linemen, particularly tackles, in the first round.
That was of particular interest to the Packers, who have talented but aging tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher and are seeking more production from their guards.
Eight offensive linemen were picked in the first round, starting with Miami's selection of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long at No. 1.
Two of the Packers' rivals, Chicago and Detroit, got into the act. The Bears picked offensive tackle Chris Williams of Vanderbilt at No. 14 and the Lions traded down from No. 15 to 17 and selected Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus.
Another position it was believed the Packers hoped to shore up was at cornerback to provide depth behind veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
Five of the top cornerbacks went off the board in the first round - including Arizona's Antoine Cason to San Diego at No. 27.
Then cornerback Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech became the sixth cornerback selected - at No. 35 in the second round, one choice ahead of where Green Bay chose Nelson. Green Bay chose Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee at No. 60 in the second round.
Thompson said he wasn't surprised by the run on offensive linemen or cornerbacks.
''It's normal, especially at those two positions,'' Thompson said. ''You do a lot of talking with some of these so-called experts from around the country and try to get an idea of who's getting hot individually and at positions and we had some evidence that in the first 64 picks there would be a large number of offensive linemen, defensive linemen and corners and that's the way it turned out.''
Depth added at receiver
Nelson was the third receiver selected overall and the third of the second round.
Lenny McGill, the Packers' scout for the Central Plains, said Nelson, who was ranked as the No. 10 receiver by Sporting News magazine, tested as one of the top two or three receivers the Packers had on their board.
''I think he just really stood out in those areas that we use to kind of gauge receivers,'' said McGill, adding that Nelson has great hands, blocks well and consistently makes plays.
Nelson said he believes he'll fit in well with Green Bay because of his ability to make defenders miss and his ability to run after the catch.
McCarthy fan of shorter round
The NFL draft's new, streamlined format meant there were only 10 minutes for a first-round pick and seven minutes in the second round.
''It's great,'' Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. ''Like I told Ted (Thompson), if we get 40 seconds to have a play call, I don't know why they need seven minutes to have a draft pick. I think it's great.''
Extra point
The 56th pick which the Packers used to select Brohm - was acquired from Cleveland in the deal that sent defensive tackle Corey Williams to the Browns.
