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The Green Bay Packers have their work cut out for them in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. After a dismal 6-9-1 finish in 2018, the Pack must address several urgent needs.
First-year head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst need to plug several glaring loopholes on offense and defense. Green Bay has a total of 10 picks in the draft, including two (12th and 30th overall) in the first round. If the Packers play their cards right, they could make their first postseason appearance in three years.
We will base our criteria simply on the urgency of the Packers' position needs.
3. Offensive Line
Green Bay's offensive line has several question marks entering the 2019 NFL season. Left tackle David Bakhtiari, guard Billy Turner, and center Corey Linsley are just about the only offensive linemen who can help the Green Bay Packers' cause in 2019.
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga is banged up. The 30-year-old has suffered several injuries (including an ACL tear in 2017) during his nine-year NFL career. Turner could be LaFleur's starting right tackle this year.
Examining the #Packers offensive line heading into next week's NFL draft.
📝: https://t.co/zzqiFycT4q pic.twitter.com/ry00UPW2kp
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 20, 2016
As for left guard Lane Taylor, he didn't live up to expectations last season. Our hunch is LaFleur will make him a replacement player in 2019.
The most notable offensive linemen in the draft include Jawaan Taylor, Jonah Williams, Andre Dillard, Chase Lindstrom, Greg Little, and Cory Ford. Any of these players are good options for the Pack in the first round.
2. Tight End
Sure, you can make a case for the Packers' wide receiver position. After all, Davante Adams (1,386 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) was the only wideout who exceeded expectations last season.
However, PackersWire's Zach Kruse explains why LaFleur and Co. must set their sights on a tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft.
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Matt LaFleur's offense is based on creating the illusion of complexity, and arguably no type of player helps create the illusion better than a dual-threat tight end.
The Packers need one that can run, catch and block. Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis will return, but both are specialized, one-dimensional players who will likely be gone after 2019.
Kruse makes a sound argument. Graham, in particular, is nowhere near the player he was with the New Orleans Saints. Snagging a dual-threat tight end in the draft bodes well for the Pack's long-term postseason aspirations.
The 2019 NFL Draft is teeming with first-rate tight ends. Players which quickly come to mind include T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Irv Smith, Jr. Hockenson could fall into Green Bay's lap with the 12th overall pick. If Green Bay opts to draft a tight end with its 30th overall pick, Fant or Smith fit the bill nicely.
1. Safety
The Packers' most urgent need prior to the 2019 NFL draft is at safety. Despite the signing of strong safety Adrian Amos, Green Bay needs to shore up its backend in its quest for a postseason berth next season.
Tramon Williams is a natural cornerback. It looked obvious he wasn't comfortable playing safety in the second half of the 2018 season. Besides, he's already 36 years old – the Packers need a young stud at safety as part of their defensive foundation.
For immediate need, safety ranks as high as anything on the Green Bay Packers’ draft list. https://t.co/oTw7xTZ1jF
— JSOnline – Packers (@js_packers) April 16, 2019
On the other hand, Josh Jones didn't live up to expectations in 2018. Jones is a better fit at linebacker. He can help Green Bay improve its pass rush. Simply put, the Packers lack depth at safety.
Among the Packers' options in the draft are Nasir Adderley, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Darnell Savage, Jonathan Abram, Juan Thornhill, Taylor Ripp, and Deione Thompson. Green Bay can use its 30th or 44th overall picks to beef up its safety position in 2019.
