Green Bay Packers: Grades for every 2019 NFL Draft pick
By Joe Kipp
Round 1, Pick 12: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Grade: B-
The Packers shocked nearly everyone but themselves when they selected Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary with the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Of course, Gary was labeled a linebacker when the pick was announced, but for all intents and purposes he’ll have one job: to be a quarterback hunter.
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“Things that jump out at you are he’s a freak athlete. It’s a question of talent versus production,” said draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah during the NFL Network’s broadcast of the draft. Gary is easily the most athletically-gifted prospect in this year’s class. He’s the heaviest player (6-5, 277 pounds) to ever run under 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The biggest question, as Jeremiah alluded to, is his lack of production in college.
Many analysts have suggested Gary took plays off and had poor effort during his time at Michigan. The Packers will need to develop Gary into an all-around pass rusher, as he currently lacks refined technique to be consistent in his rush plans. It’s clear he relied on athleticism more than anything during college.
That said, Gary can line up anywhere along the defensive line, giving defensive coordinator Mike Pettine an ideal chess-piece to move wherever the matchup favors him most. From an analytical standpoint, Gary was the right selection. His untapped potential is intriguing, with his being Jadeveon Clowney-like playmaker. Still, you can’t ignore the past production, which is why this pick gets bumped down to a B-.