Following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers experienced something very foreign to them… change. After 13 seasons, the team will be rolling out a new head coach following the dismissal of head coach Mike McCarthy after Week 13. That job is now held by former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.
The Packers also did something they don’t often do, they broke the bank in free agency. With the signings of safety Adrian Amos (four years, $37 million), offensive lineman Billy Turner (four years, $28 million), edge players Preston (four years, $52 million) and Za'Darius Smith (four years, $66 million), the Packers are clearly in win now mode with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers still on the roster.
The 2019 NFL Draft will serve as a huge opportunity to continue to add key players and depth to a roster hopeful to once again contend for championships. It will be important for the Packers to find several value picks throughout the mid rounds.
There are several sleeper prospects who could potentially fill some key roles for the Green Bay Packers. Who are those players the Packers may have some interest in? Let’s take a look.
3. Marquise Blair, S, Utah
After the midseason trade of former pro bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Packers were left with a huge need for a difference maker at the position. They seem to have found a nice building block with the signing of former Bears safety Adrian Amos.
Despite the signing, the Packers would be wise to invest in a versatile playmaker at the position somewhere in the mid to late rounds, specifically someone with coverage versatility. Utah safety Marquise Blair presents a versatile chess piece for a defense looking to become more versatile in the variety of coverages they can use.
While at Utah, Blair saw reps at both free and strong safety, showing up anywhere from in the slot, in single high, and down in the box as an extra run defender.
Utah safety Marquise Blair (@Legit_King1) is violent; he's an underrated hitter in this class.
Blair gets flagged for this one (and rightfully so), but it's a good snapshot of what he brings to the table. He plays the game with mean intentions, for sure. pic.twitter.com/LOKL3xTMcw
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) April 9, 2019
Blair continued to open eyes athletically at the 2019 NFL Scouting combine, where he posted some of the best overall numbers at the safety position (4.48 40-yard dash, 35” vertical jump, 10’5” broad jump). Slotted somewhere between round three and five, Blair demonstrates the athletic profile and versatility needed as a mid-round developmental piece for an NFL team.
2. Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
The Green Bay Packers brought in former Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham last season in hopes of finding Aaron Rodgers a huge target over the middle of the field who could also dominate in the red zone. Graham failed to make the impact one might have hoped for.
Instead, the position seems like one that might need some new blood to make a larger impact, or at least bring someone in to be groomed for future action. Enter in one of the better overall athletes at the tight end position with arguably the most untapped potential, Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox.
Dawson Knox a interesting player. He has above average run blocking skills, matchup nightmares for LBs, and great at catching balls as defenders crash in on him. However, his route running isn’t the best. Could be because Ole Miss gave him basic routes, just not a fan of Knox. pic.twitter.com/XEMFmmU2kR
— Danny King (@DannyKing___) April 10, 2019
Still recovering from offseason hernia surgery, Knox was unable to be a full-time participant in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, but used his Pro Day to demonstrate the athletic profile that everyone already knew he had. Lack of production (only 15 receptions this past season) will scare off some evaluators, but the athletic upside and raw potential for down the road will provide Knox with a mid-round opportunity to prove his worth.
1. Germaine Pratt, LB, N.C. State
The Packers parted ways with former starting inside linebacker Jake Ryan this offseason after losing all of the 2018 season to injury. Even before the injury, Ryan’s spot was one that needed a serious upgrade to pair with the steady play of fourth-year pro Blake Martinez.
Former N.C. State linebacker Germaine Pratt presents an intriguing option for a team needing an athletic inside linebacker who demonstrates versatility on all three downs. At 6'2″ and 240 pounds, Pratt looked the part of the former free safety where he began his career at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
At the event, Pratt demonstrated great athleticism, recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.57 seconds. He also showed to have enough power in his upper body to disengage blocks after recording a rock solid 24 reps on the bench press.
Germaine Pratt posted a Elite #RAS with Good size, Great speed, Okay explosiveness, at the LB position. pic.twitter.com/DIlLCP2F2d
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 8, 2019
On film, there are a ton of parallels between Pratt's game and current Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree. Pratt shows an ability to take on and shed blocks effectively in the run game, while maintaining his athleticism to be an asset in coverage on third downs, and as a blitzer.
There is plenty of room for growth for Pratt, starting only one full season at the position. If he is able to improve his eye discipline to maintain gaps and develop a quicker trigger in the run game, the sky is the limit for this developmental mid-round gem.
Follow Us
Subscribe