Three ways the Packers can win the 2019 NFL Draft

1. Draft T.J. Hockenson or Noah Fant

One need the Packers didn’t address in free agency was tight end. And perhaps for good reason. The team has swung and missed three years in a row at the position, signing Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Martellus Bennett, and most recently Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis. Graham and Lewis will be back in 2019, but it makes sense to look long term in the draft.

The two top options will be first-rounders: T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, both out of Iowa. Many will argue selecting a tight end in the first round is too early, especially given the depth in the class, but I’d argue that both Hockenson and Fant could be game-changers in the Packers offense working with Aaron Rodgers.

Hockenson’s blocking ability would give the Packers a huge upgrade on what Graham offers, and would give the Packers a pair of talented blocking tight ends in Hockenson and Lewis. But don’t rule out his ability as a receiver, also. With 760 yards and six touchdowns to his name in 2018, the 6-foot-5 tight end could quickly become one of Aaron Rodgers’ go-to targets.

The same can be said about Fant, who would bring speed and exceptional receiving ability to the tight end room in Green Bay. Fast enough to beat defenders vertically, the Packers could add a big-play weapon with Fant in the first round.

Both tight ends would give the Packers a huge upgrade at the position, and would also help them get younger.

It’ll almost certainly require using a first-round pick, but both Hockenson and Fant would be worth a Day 1 selection.