As the Green Bay Packers prepare for the upcoming offseason, there are quite a few things that general manager Brian Gutekunst will need to do this offseason. After missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Packers are going to need to make a few moves in order to get back into contention.
Green Bay will have an excellent opportunity to fill a couple of the gaps on their depth chart in the 2019 NFL Draft. Due to the trade they made last year with the New Orleans Saints, the Packers will have two first-round picks this year. At this point, they are projected to have No. 12 and No. 32.
Looking ahead at the No. 12 pick they possess, the Packers will have an opportunity to get a very good player. They will have to decide what position they want to address, but there is loads of talent in this draft class.
Aaron Rodgers and company are not terribly far away from competing for another Super Bowl, but they cannot afford to miss with these picks.
All of that being said, let's take a look at five potential options that Green Bay could consider with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
5. A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
During the 2018 NFL season, the Packers had an obvious need for another wide receiver. Davante Adams was one of the top receivers in the league, but behind him there were consistency issues.
Randall Cobb struggled with injuries and both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown were too young to expect consistency from. While the Packers are expecting both young receivers to develop, Cobb is set to hit the open free agency market. Brown would be a top option to replace Cobb if the Packers decide to let him walk.
Brown caught 85 passes for 1,320 yards and six touchdowns in 2018 at Ole Miss. At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds with great speed and athleticism, Brown might be an ideal fit alongside Rodgers.
4. Cody Ford, Offensive Line, Oklahoma
Another major issue for the Packers in 2018 was the offensive line. Rodgers saw a lot of pressure and the line needs to be overhauled. Cody Ford would be a perfect fit for the Packers if he is still available at No. 12.
If the Packers do decide to go offensive line, Ford is the best offensive lineman in the class. He is projected to go anywhere between No. 7 and No. 12. Green Bay may have to move up a couple of slots to get him, but Ford could help turn around the offensive line problems.
Anytime a quarterback like Rodgers is on a roster, the team needs to give them time. Ford would be an investment into the future of the Packers' offensive line and into the future of Rodgers.
3. Trade Up
Green Bay has become a very aggressive team since Gutekunst took over the general manager job. He went out and made a big trade last year in the draft and also made a few big free agency signings.
There is a chance that he could look to wheel and deal again this year in the draft. Green Bay has plenty of assets and trading up could be a possibility.
If they were to trade up, Kentucky pass rusher Josh Allen would be an ideal fit. Green Bay could also try to move up to bring in another defensive line star like Ed Oliver. No matter what they would target if they trade up, the Packers could look to snag a star.
2. Devin White, Linebacker, LSU
There have been some issues in the Green Bay linebacking corps as well over the last couple of years. Devin White would be a perfect fit to fix those issues and would give the Packers the kind of star potential that they need in the middle of their defense.
White put up huge numbers in 2018 at LSU, racking up 123 total tackles to go along with 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and six defended passes.
Green Bay can only hope that White will be available at No. 12. If he is, it would not be surprising to see them end up taking him.
1. Clelin Ferrell, Defensive End, Clemson
Finally, the Packers could look into an edge rusher like Clemson star Clelin Ferrell. He put together an impressive career for the Tigers and would help Green Bay's pass rush in a big way.
In 2018 with Clemson, Ferrell ended up recording 55 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recover, two defended passes, and a defensive touchdown. Those numbers show why many believe that Ferrell will translate into an NFL star.
Green Bay could be without Clay Matthews next season and Nick Perry's name has come up as a potential cap casualty as well. Ferrell could help replace the loss of either one or both of those players. Mike Pettine's defense took a big step forward last season and Ferrell would fit into their scheme perfectly.
Follow Us
Subscribe