Packers 2019 mock draft: Big trade in the first round

Round 1, Pick 21: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State

The Packers are in win-now mode and have 10 draft picks to work with, so why not be aggressive and make a bold move on the opening night? In this mock, Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns falls to No. 21. If this happens, the Packers shouldn’t put the phone down until they have a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks could be a team looking to move down, and here the Packers would have the opportunity to add another piece to their pass rush.

First, let’s break down the trade. Seattle needs more picks as its currently in a tough spot with just four selections. In this trade, the Seahawks move down just nine spots but receive an extra third-round pick, while also swapping fourth-rounders to give them a slightly higher position. From the Seahawks’ side, this would be a good move. For the Packers, they only move down six positions in the fourth, and exchange their third-round pick for one of the best edge rushers in the class.

With Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith joining in free agency, and now Burns in the first round, the Packers would have turned one of their biggest areas of need into a strength. All of a sudden, the pass rush would have plenty of starting-caliber talent, and importantly, depth.