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Packers improve offense in NFL Spin Zone mock draft

By Freddie Boston

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 03: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a touchdown pass in the end zone as Kenneth Major #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers defends at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 03: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a touchdown pass in the end zone as Kenneth Major #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers defends at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers add two pass catchers in the latest NFL Spin Zone mock draft.

We are exactly one month away from the opening night of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Green Bay Packers are one of just three teams who own multiple picks in the first round.

Could the Packers use both picks on offense? Considering general manager Brian Gutekunst has already done a good job of improving the defense this offseason, there’s certainly a chance.

Cory Kinnan of NFL Spin Zone has the Packers giving Aaron Rodgers two more targets in his latest mock draft.  In the mock, Green Bay selects Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson at No. 12, and South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel at No. 30.

Is the 12th pick too high for a tight end? I don’t think so. Is the fourth overall pick too high for a running back? I’m sure the Dallas Cowboys are pretty happy they picked Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 three years ago.

If Gutekunst wants to draft one of the two Iowa tight ends, he’ll likely need to trade if he doesn’t plan to do so with the 12th selection. One option would be to trade down from No. 12, which is a possibility if a team needs a quarterback and wants to jump up. The other option would be to trade up from No. 30.

But if the Packers don’t trade and pass on the two Iowa TEs at No. 12, they might not be available later on.

Forget the draft pick, though. Hockenson can be a game-changer in Green Bay. The Packers haven’t had a dominant tight end in years, and Hockenson can do it all. He would perfectly suit Matt LaFleur’s offense as he’s an excellent blocker and could help the run game, but he’s also a mismatch as a receiver.

Many Packers fans won’t love the idea of using a first-round pick at wide receiver, but Kinnan makes a good case:

"“Losing Cobb is not a big hit for the Packers as his production has been dropping over recent years, and replacing him with Samuel is an immediate upgrade as he has the ability to win inside or outside of the numbers, giving Green Bay flexibility in how they play him.”"

Who the Packers select at No. 30 will, of course, be determined by the board and who is still available. But when you consider some of the struggles this offense has had in recent years, surrounding Aaron Rodgers with more talent is never a bad idea, especially after losing one of his favorite targets in Randall Cobb.

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Should Green Bay strengthen the offense with both first-round picks?

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