Green Bay Packers: 2019 NFL mock draft roundup 1.0

The Green Bay Packers will have a number of options when they hit the clock in the opening round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Mock draft season is finally here. And that means it’s time for the return of our Green Bay Packers mock draft roundup.

Here, we’ll take a look at who many top draft analysts are mocking to the Packers. It’s a fun way to get an idea of the different directions general manager Brian Gutekunst could go in on draft day.

The Packers will have options with the 12th and 30th overall selections in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Brad Weiss of FanSided: EDGE Rashan Gary (Michigan) and WR D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss)

A common theme in these mock drafts is the Packers adding a player on both offense and defense with their first two picks. That’s exactly what Brad Weiss of FanSided has them doing, starting by addressing one of the biggest needs at edge rusher with Rashan Gary at No. 12, and then offense with wide receiver D.K. Metcalf at No. 30.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com: EDGE Jachai Polite (Florida) and TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa)

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks put together his first mock draft of the year earlier this week and has Green Bay selecting Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite first, followed by Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network: TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa) and EDGE Jachai Polite (Florida)

Interestingly, Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network has the same two players ending up in Green Bay after the first round, but he has Hockenson going 12th overall and Polite 30th. This shows how different opinions can be in January of where players will be drafted.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports: EDGE Jachai Polite (Florida) and TE Noah Fant (Iowa)

See a theme here? Polite is again the pick in this mock draft, and another Iowa tight end is selected by the Packers, this time Noah Fant.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report: LB Devin White (LSU) and WR Marquise Brown (Oklahoma)

The final mock draft of this roundup also has Brian Gutekunst going defense first with LSU linebacker Devin White, while adding another pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers with Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Takeaways

While there will be various opinions about the exact players the Packers select, many draft analysts seem to be in agreement that the team will address both sides of the ball in the first round.

And there also seems to be an agreement that finding an edge rusher and pass catcher is a possibility in the opening round.

Jachai Polite is the most popular choice for the Green Bay Packers in this roundup. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has Polite ranked 26th among all prospects in the draft class, and wrote that “Polite lacks ideal size, but he’s very explosive and fits teams looking for a stand-up pass rusher”.

Strengthening the pass rush should absolutely be a priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst this offseason. With Marcedes Lewis and Lance Kendricks both set to hit free agency, adding a tight end will also be high on the list.