The 2019 NFL Draft is this month, which means that The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be looked at heading into this year’s draft including what their needs are and who they could be targeting. The Green Bay Packers will be the 12th team evaluated.
Summary
The 2018 season was one of the most disappointing seasons in the Packers’ recent history. Finishing third in the NFC North with a 6-9-1 record, there were few bright spots of which to speak.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was traded after making it known he would not re-sign. Ty Montgomery was traded after a baffling decision to take the ball out of the end zone on a kickoff, resulting in a fumble, that, in all likelihood cost them a game against the Rams. Clay Matthews was beset by questionable roughing the passer calls. Aaron Rodgers was playing hobbled once again.
And that was just the first half of the season.
Green Bay also decided to finally move on from Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike McCarthy after years of un-met expectations. That move came after the lowest point of the season, a 20-17 loss to the, frankly terrible, Arizona Cardinals.
Now with some new blood on the defensive side of the ball via the free agency market, a shiny new head coach, and a, hopefully, reinvigorated Rodgers, what will the Pack do to regain their place atop the NFC North?
2019 NFL Draft Picks
Green Bay will have 10 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.
First Round (two picks): No. 12, 30
Second Round (one pick): No. 44
Third Round (one pick): No. 75
Fourth Round (two picks): No. 114, 118
Fifth Round (one pick): No. 150
Sixth Round (two picks): No. 185, 194
Seventh Round (one pick): No. 226
Team Needs
Safety- The Packers signed Adrian Amos from the Bears, which is great for two reasons. He can play well and he will be playing for them rather than against them twice. But after losing Clinton-Dix, they will need to pair Amos with another safety who can cover well, so he can do what he does best: hit people hard.
Offensive Line- No sense in picking and choosing which positions would be most valuable, because Green Bay needs to get younger and healthier at all five. Bulaga’s contract will be up after the 2019-2020 season, and he is starting to show his age. Billy Turner was signed, but will likely be switched to right guard, which leaves a hole at left guard, since Lane Taylor cannot stay healthy. The tackle spots are okay, but not great. This line just needs an overhaul.
Tight End- Jimmy Graham was a massive disappointment last year, and Mercedes Lewis was not much better, even though less was expected of him than Graham. Robert Tonyan is essentially a wide receiver being asked to play tight end, so blocking takes a hit while he is on the field. A dual-threat tight end needs to be drafted this year. No question.
2019 NFL Draft Targets
First Round:
Pick No.12: T.J. Hockenson, Tight End, Iowa
As stated above, Green Bay needs a dual-threat at tight end, and Hockenson is the best available. He has big play ability, which Aaron Rodgers will love, and he holds his own blocking for the run game. Since LaFleur is an offensive-minded coach, look for the Packers to lead off with a weapon for Rodgers.
Pick No. 30: Johnathan Abram, Safety, Mississippi State
Johnathan Abram can cover well. It is basically as simple as that. Also he makes for the best pairing with Adrian Amos. Two young safeties with complimentary skill sets leading the back end of the defense will go a long way.
Second Round:
Pick No. 44: Dalton Risner, Offensive Lineman, Kansas State
Knowing that Risner is flexible about where the team can place him on the line is the key to this pick. As long as the Packers can maximize his skill wherever he is placed for the majority of the snaps, he is the perfect pick here. Assuming there is not a run on lineman early, which there should not be, as this is primarily a defensive draft, Green Bay could sneak away with Risner.
Third Round:
Pick No. 75: Zach Allen, Defensive End, Boston College
After a fantastic career at Boston College, Zach Allen could bolster an already bolstered defense. Mike Daniels is in a contract year, and the thought of losing him should scare the Packers immensely. They might combat that with the sure-fire production Allen is likely to bring to the team right away. There are better defensive lineman in this draft, but third round value for a potentially consistent player is not bad at all.
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