Green Bay Packers: Early look at potential 2019 NFL Draft picks
By Joe Kipp
The Green Bay Packers hold two first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Here’s an early look at potential needs and draftees.
The Green Bay Packers currently hold the No. 12 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Additionally, the New Orleans Saints’ first-rounder (which Green Bay acquired in last year’s draft) will fall anywhere from pick No. 30-32, depending on how the rest of their season shakes out.
The Packers ended 2018 at 6-9-1, which suggests there’s a multitude of holes on the current roster. While it’s not necessarily a wrong proposition, the team still has plenty of key pieces to build upon and were decimated by injuries. Green Bay finished the season with 18 players on injured reserve.
To pile on, president Mark Murphy fired former coach Mike McCarthy after Week 13. Former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur was named the new head coach of the Packers on Jan. 8.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
LaFleur will have a lot of work to do this offseason, and it all starts with implementing his scheme into Green Bay’s offense. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will be back for a second season, with plenty of work to do as well.
Positions of need on offense include right guard, right tackle, wide receiver, and tight end. On defense, expect the Packers to target a few pass rushers, both free safety and strong safety, and inside linebacker. That said, it’s time to get familiar with a few names.
Early-round targets
EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida
EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State
ILB Devin White, LSU
ILB Mack Wilson, Alabama
OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virgina
OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State
OT David Edwards, Wisconsin
OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
OG Cody Ford, Oklahoma
S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
S Taylor Rapp, Washington
WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
WR DK Metcalf, Ole Miss
WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
TE Noah Fant, Iowa
TE TJ Hockenson, Iowa
TE Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
At first glance, the first two rounds should have plenty of depth at pass rusher, offensive line, and wide receiver, so the Packers could probably get away with waiting a little longer on those. Even so, it may be tempting to pass up on an elite pass rusher like Josh Allen or Clelin Ferrell.
dark. Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Kyler goes No. 1
If the Packers elect to pass up on the deeper positions, perhaps they look towards a playmaker like Deionte Thompson at safety or Devin White at inside linebacker, both of whom fill a major need. Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t complain about another athlete at tight end like Noah Fant or Irv Smith, either.