Packers: 2018 draft class important for 2019 success

While the focus is on the 2019 NFL Draft, for the Green Bay Packers, last year’s class is just as important.

In two weeks, the Green Bay Packers are set to make 10 selections in the 2019 NFL Draft. The picks made over the three-day event will help shape the short-term and potentially long-term future for this team, but equally as important is the development of last year’s draft picks.

A year ago, in Brian Gutekunst’s first offseason as Packers GM, the team made 11 selections. If just half of them can make a second-year jump, the Packers should be a much-improved team in 2019.

Part of the PFWA All-Rookie Team, Jaire Alexander‘s development is key to the success of the secondary. Cornerbacks can take time to develop in the NFL, but Alexander made a great start in his rookie year and has star potential. If he can step up and establish himself as the No. 1 corner on the team, the defensive backfield will be in good shape.

Josh Jackson didn’t have the same success as Alexander in his debut year, but there’s a reason why many considered him a first-round talent 12 months ago. Jackson is an important piece of the secondary moving forward, and if he shows improvements this year, it’ll be huge for Mike Pettine’s defense.

One position to watch closely is wide receiver. Davante Adams is in a class of his own at the top of the depth chart, finally being recognized by national media as one of the best wide receivers in the game, something Packers fans have known for a while.

The Packers have also shown faith in Geronimo Allison to continue his impressive work last season, albeit a small sample size.

But Gutekunst did select three receivers in last year’s draft — J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.

Despite being selected ahead of the other two pass catchers, Moore was the most disappointing in Year 1, making just two regular-season catches. MVS and EQ showed more promise, combining for 909 yards, and Valdes-Scantling also caught two touchdowns. Consistency is the key for both players moving forward.

If this trio of second-year receivers can make a notable step up in 2019, nobody will be talking about the Packers needing more talent at the position, which is very much a debated topic among fans in Packers News this offseason.

The Packers will also be hoping for a second-year jump from third-round pick Oren Burks, who despite showing potential at times, played on just 11.47 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference. This was partly down to injury, as Burks began the season with a shoulder injury and missed two games.

What was evident in 2018 is that this draft class has talent. Led by a potential home-run pick in Alexander, if he can continue his rise as one of the best young corners in football, and a few of these players can make bigger contributions in 2019, this draft class will be just as important as the one to be selected in less than two weeks.