NFC North: Team Needs for the 2019 NFL Draft
By Jakob Ashlin
Green Bay Packers
Needs: FS, SS, G, OLB
The Green Bay Packers have had an unusually turbulent season. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers have consistently found themselves at the top of the NFC North, but this year they find themselves fighting to stay out of the dweller. Finding the right head coach will be their number one priority, but there are a few roster needs they need to address, as well.
Thanks to the Marcus Davenport trade they made during the 2018 draft, the Packers will have two first round picks. This is especially valuable considering the defensive depth of the 2019 draft.
The Packers traded away former Pro Bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix during the season. Without Clinton-Dix, the safety position is very thin. 35-year-old Tramon Williams is currently playing full safety and that has not gone especially well. The Packers may try to replace Clinton-Dix with fellow Alabama safety Deionte Thompson, but it is more likely they wait and target a safety later in the draft like Washington’s Taylor Rapp.
Kentrell Brice is a solid backup, but he is not the answer at strong safety. The Packers front office are probably hoping that Josh Jones will step in as the starting strong safety, but he is their only option moving forward.
Since losing Josh Sitton and TJ Lang, the Packers have had a need a guard, as well. They are using stopgaps in Lane Taylor and Justin McCray. The Packers should make protecting Aaron Rodgers a priority in an effort to elongate his hall of fame career. The Packers should take a long hard look at a pair of Wisconsin Badger offensive lineman: Tyler Biadasz and Michael Dieter.
Pass Rusher is another recurring need. Ironically, the Packers are sixth in the NFL in sacks. Kyler Fackrell is leading the charge with 9.5 sacks. Kenny Clark has been sensational at defensive tackle and has six sacks himself. Nevertheless, Clay Matthews and Nick Perry have not been producing. They have five sacks combined. If Green Bay can add another pass rusher on the outside, this defense could be dangerous. The 2019 NFL Draft is deep at edge rusher, and if a name like Clelin Ferrell or Josh Allen is available at pick 14, expect the Packers to pull the trigger.