Packers: Recent history of the No. 30 pick in the draft

A look back at the No. 30 pick in the draft over the past five years.

The Green Bay Packers‘ second selection in the 2019 NFL Draft is at No. 30 overall, a pick that once belonged to the New Orleans Saints. The Saints moved up to the Packers’ spot at No. 14 in last year’s draft, sending a 2019 first-rounder in return.

And after the Saints made it to the NFC Championship Game, Green Bay received the 30th pick.

Here’s a look at the past five players to be selected at No. 30 overall, going back to the 2014 NFL Draft.

2018: Mike Hughes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Mike Hughes only played six games for the Vikings as a rookie before tearing his ACL, but he has the potential to become an excellent starting corner in the future.

2017: T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Packers decided to trade down from No. 29 when they could’ve picked T.J. Watt, which is a topic Packers fans still debate to this day. Watt posted 13 sacks last season and now has 20 in total over two years. It’s fair to say Watt would’ve been a great addition to the Packers defense.

2016: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech

Vernon Butler has played 38 games for the Panthers in three seasons, but he has never started a game. He also has two sacks in three years, with 0.5 in 2018.

2015: Damarious Randall, S, Green Bay Packers

The biggest mistake the Packers made was to move Damarious Randall to cornerback. He’s much better suited at safety, and he has 14 career interceptions in four years. Randall was traded to the Cleveland Browns last offseason with DeShone Kizer heading the other way. The Browns look to have won the trade with Randall starting 15 games and making four interceptions in 2018.

2014: Jimmie Ward, S, San Francisco 49ers

Jimmie Ward has missed 16 games over the past two seasons, but he’s a starter for the 49ers defense. Ward has two interceptions, four forced fumbles and two sacks in five seasons.