Packers strengthen defense in NFL Mocks mock draft
The Green Bay Packers add two defensive players in the first round of the latest NFL Mocks mock draft.
In Sayre Bedinger’s latest 2019 mock draft for NFL Mocks, he has the Green Bay Packers strengthening their defense in the first round, selecting Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver at 12th overall, and Florida edge rusher Jachai Polite at 30th overall.
General manager Brian Gutekunst could decide to use the two first-round picks to add a player on both sides of the ball, as we’ve seen in a number of mock drafts so far this offseason.
But in this mock draft, defense is the focus. And here the Packers address two positions of need.
The Packers’ biggest strength on defense is the defensive line, but they need more depth. Kenny Clark is a future All-Pro in my opinion, and Mike Daniels was a Pro Bowler a year ago (and honestly should have been selected more times), but when injuries hit there was a lack of depth along the line last year.
Ed Oliver could be a great addition to Green Bay’s defense. Here’s what Bedinger wrote about the pick:
“The Packers need to get better all over their defense and the chance to snatch up a playmaker like this who was compared to Aaron Donald once upon a time is too good to pass up on.”
It’s hard to disagree. If the Packers re-sign Muhammad Wilkerson then select Oliver at 12th overall, the defensive line could be dominant in 2019.
While adding a defensive lineman might not be considered the team’s top priority this offseason, by using free agency to address a few positions of need they will be able to take the best defensive player left on the board with their first pick. And that could be Oliver.
Jachai Polite has been a popular choice to the Packers in many mock drafts this offseason, much like Josh Jackson was around this time last year. Green Bay needs to add an edge rusher early in the draft, and Brian Gutekunst will have a couple of opportunities in the first round.
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The Packers improved under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine this past season. It’s important to add more talent on defense this offseason, and Oliver and Polite would be great first-round additions.