Green Bay Packers: Realistic 7-round 2019 NFL mock draft with trades
By Joe Kipp
TRADE – Round 1, Pick 21: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Packers and Seahawks have familiar ties going all the way back to Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck. Like Brian Gutekunst, Seattle general manager John Schneider is a disciple of Hall of Famer Ron Wolf, who spent 10 years as the Packers GM in the 90s.
The Packers and Seahawks did business last year when Green Bay traded up from pick No. 27 to No. 18 (used to select Jaire Alexander), so don’t be surprised if a similar situation emerges this year – especially since Seattle currently holds only four selections in the 2019 draft. It makes sense for the Seahawks to acquire more picks.
By trading up to pick No. 21, Green Bay is able to grab Iowa tight end Noah Fant. It’s no secret the Packers have been missing a vertical pass-catching threat ever since Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the 2015 preseason. Fant (6-5, 249 pounds) would provide an instant impact by offering the ability to stretch out defenses, in-turn opening up underneath and intermediate routes for Davante Adams, Jimmy Graham and others.
Drafting Fant would be a move for both the present and future. It’s been rumored Green Bay could move on from Graham after next season. With only Marcedes Lewis — who signed a one-year deal this offseason and turns 35 in May — and second-year undrafted free agent Robert Tonyan as the only other options, Fant looks to be a legitimate option for Green Bay.