Packers’ 2019 draft roundup: Pick-by-pick analysis
The Green Bay Packers’ brass wrapped up a rather impressive draft class on Thursday. They ended up with eight total picks made (they had ten total but traded their two fourth round picks in the first round). Here is the breakdown of each pick along with some analysis.
RD 1, PK 12: Rashan Gary, LB, Michigan
Honestly, Gary was originally a head scratcher for me, especially considering there were a few prospects that could’ve gotten chosen ahead of him from Green Bay but the more and more I watched his highlight tape, the more and more he grew on me. Regardless of what pundits say about his on-field motor/stats as well as his shoulder injury, he is an absolute FREAK athlete who will bring 100% effort on every play for Green Bay. This was pretty good pick all told.
Grade: B-
RD 1, PK 21 (Trade up via Seahawks): Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
Savage was another good pick that addressed a position of need. He is a speedy, hard hitter, plays pretty good in coverage (he’ll improve in that area under Mike Pettine), and has excellent ball skills. Him Honestly, Rashan Gary fits in just as well as Brian Burns, maybe better. Very physical at the LOS. I love the pick even though he wasn’t the player I personally wanted (I wanted Brian Burns, DE out of FSU). He’ll have great D-line players to learn under as well with Clark, Daniels, and Lowry. Darnell Savage is gonna look great alongside Amos. He’s a fast, hard hitter at safety that can play in coverage (a bit shaky but can improve under Pettine), and up in the box. All in all, great pick.
Grade: B+
RD 2, PK 44: Elgton Jenkins, OL, Mississippi State
Jenkins provides great depth to a rather lackluster offensive line with the exception of David Bakhtiari & a 100% healthy Bryan Bulaga. The addition of Jenkins also provides Green Bay with positional flexibility as well. Jenkins can play guard, center, and tackle while also only giving up three total sacks in four years at Mississippi State, per Pro Football Focus. This was an excellent pick.
Grade: A
RD 3, PK 75: TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Sternberger was an excellent pick. Aside from Jimmy Graham and Robert Tonyan, Green Bay really doesn’t have any serviceable pass-catching TEs. He’s a guy with great hands who’s very athletic and has the ability to stretch the field on pass plays. He will be another great weapon with tons of potential within Matt Lafleur’s new offensive system.
Grade: B+
RD 5, PK 150: Kingsley Keke, DL, Texas A&M
He has the ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line along with being a great rotational player. He will also have a great crop of defensive players to learn under with Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels, & Dean Lowry. Kingsley will also be another great rotational player on the defensive line. This was yet another exemplary pick.
RD 6, PK 185: CB Ka’dar Hollman, DB, Toledo
Great coverage skills; speed is a plus in the open field. Sometimes can be fearful of physicality when attempting to tackle. Hoping he can fix that at the next level. This was a pick that provides depth at a position that needs it for Green Bay. Overall, yet another decent pick on defense.
Grade: B
RND 6, PK 194: RB Dexter Williams, Notre Dame.
Most of his production came in his senior year, averaged 6.4 YPC over his collegiate career along with scoring 20 total touchdowns. Has very little wear and tear on his body due to his low carrying rate for his career (257 total carries). He also isn’t afraid of contact. He will be a great compliment to Aaron Jones & Jamaal Williams in the backfield.
Grade: B
RD 7, PK 226, LB Ty Summers, TCU
He was a multi-positional player at TCU; played both LB & DE. He’s a very physical & intense tackler & has great speed in the open field; also plays sideline to sideline in coverage. Lastly, he has great power and pursuit skills along with a “pitbull” mentality: once he makes a tackle; he won’t stop until the opposition is down or the ball is free. Great final pick.
Grade: A-
Final overview:
Overall, this was a great draft class for Green Bay that addressed both positions of need as well as versatility and longevity on both sides of the ball. GM Brian Gutekunst nailed it in his second draft. Let’s hope that this success continues on into the 2019 season and beyond.
Final draft class grade: B+
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