Packers: Recent history of the No. 12 pick in the draft
With the Green Bay Packers set to pick at No. 12 in the 2019 NFL Draft, we take a look back at the past five players selected at this draft position.
The Green Bay Packers are in a great position as they will pick twice in the opening round of the 2019 NFL Draft next week.
Their first selection comes at No. 12 overall.
To get an idea of the level of talent potentially available at this position, let’s take a look back at the past five players selected at No. 12 in the draft.
2018: Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the best defensive prospects entering the 2018 NFL Draft, Vita Vea played in 13 games as a rookie for the Buccaneers, making 28 tackles and three sacks. Vea has the potential to become a dominant defensive tackle in Tampa Bay. Jason Kanno of Bucs Wire wrote that it “was slow going at first, but by the final six game stretch, Vea began to look like the mauler the Bucs drafted”.
If the Packers decide to go for a defensive tackle first, one name to watch is Ed Oliver.
2017: Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
While it’s highly unlikely the Packers will draft a quarterback first, the fact it’s possible to find a franchise QB at pick No. 12 could give Green Bay the opportunity to trade down. Two years ago, the Texans drafted Deshaun Watson and he’s made a great start to his career, being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2017.
2016: Sheldon Rankins, DT, New Orleans Saints
The Saints strengthened their defense three years ago by selecting Sheldon Rankins at No. 12, and he’s continued to improve each season, posting a career-best eight sacks in 2018 along with 41 tackles and a forced fumble.
Interestingly, a defensive tackle has been selected at No. 12 three times in the past five years. Could the Packers go in the same direction?
2015: Danny Shelton, DT, Cleveland Browns
Selected by the Browns in 2015, Danny Shelton made just 1.5 sacks in three seasons before being traded to the New England Patriots. He only started one game in 2018.
2014: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
Maybe the Packers will select a wide receiver at No. 12. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report wrote that D.K. Metcalf could be a possible top-15 pick to the Packers or Buffalo Bills. In 2014, the Giants hit a home run by selecting Odell Beckham Jr., who has become arguably the best wide receiver in football.
Beckham has over 1,000 yards receiving in every season but 2017, when he only played four games due to injury. Beckham also has 44 touchdowns in just over four seasons, which is incredible.
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The only mistake the Giants made was to trade Beckham to the Browns this offseason.