Green Bay Packers 2019 mock draft: Defense edition

An all-defense first-round mock draft for the Green Bay Packers.

Last week, I put together an all-offense mock draft for the Green Bay Packers. So today, let’s do the opposite.

The Packers have already made some big decisions on defense this offseason, replacing Clay Matthews and Nick Perry with Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. They also brought in safety Adrian Amos. On paper, the Packers are already stronger on defense and have addressed two of their biggest positions of need.

GM Brian Gutekunst could continue to build the defense in the opening round of the draft. With two selections on Day 1, here’s one way it could play out:

Round 1, Pick 12: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Despite being one of the top defensive talents in the entire class, there’s a good chance Ed Oliver will still be available when the Packers hit the clock for the first time. And after adding two edge rushers in free agency, the Packers could strengthen the defensive line.

With Oliver, Green Bay’s front seven would have the talent to compete with the very best around the NFL.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has Oliver as the sixth-best player in the class in his top 50 rankings. Jeremiah wrote: “Oliver isn’t as powerful or polished as the Rams’ Aaron Donald, but he has similar athleticism and should be a disruptive force for the team that drafts him.”

Adding to the defensive line might not be the Packers’ top priority, but the team’s work in free agency allows them to select the best player available. And that could very well be Oliver.

Also, depth became an issue along the line last year with Muhammad Wilkerson, Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels all ending up on injured reserve. Wilkerson is still a free agent, and Daniels becomes a free agent next offseason. Selecting a potential starter to play alongside Clark for many years would be a smart move.

The Packers need to add as much talent as possible, regardless of position. Oliver is one of the top players in the entire class and could dominate in the Packers defense.

Round 1, Pick 30: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware

The Packers’ rebuild in the secondary would be almost complete by selecting safety Nasir Adderley with the 30th pick. For Packers fans, adding a safety who doesn’t miss many tackles would be a welcomed sight. And with Adderley and Adrian Amos, they’d have two.

Adderley has nine interceptions over the past two seasons, which would be good news for a defense lacking turnovers after trading away Ha Ha Clinton-Dix last season. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com ranked Adderley as the second-best safety in this year’s class, and added that he has “cornerback-like cover skills”.

Going from last year’s depth chart at safety to a starting combination of Adderley and Amos would be a huge upgrade for Green Bay.

And between Adderley, Amos, Josh Jones, Tramon Williams and Raven Greene, the Packers would have plenty of depth at the position.

In this mock draft, the Packers would add more talent to an improving front seven while also successfully making the safety position a strength by bringing in Adderley to play alongside Amos.