This report will be a review of the 2019 Packer Draft and undrafted free agents. The Packers entered the draft with 10 picks but traded two of them and ended up with 8 picks.5 of the picks were for the defensive side of the ball, and 3 of them for the offensive side of the ball.

Round 1, Pick 12 overall, OLB Rashan Gary, 6-4, 277, Michigan

The remake of the OLB group continues with this pick. In college he was a hand in the dirt DE, but played from the two point stance as well. The Packers have said he will be an OLB but will be moved around in the defense to get favorable matchups. Let us hope he has the same impact as a young OLB Clay Matthews had.

Round 1, Pick 21 overall, S Darnell Savage, 5-10, 198, Maryland

I think the Packers want (if not need) him to start this year. They valued him enough to trade two 4^th round picks to move up to ensure he is in a Packer uniform next year. He should be a day one starter.

Round 2, Pick 44 overall,OG Elgton Jenkins, 6-5, 311, Mississippi State

If you think the Packers weren’t serious about shoring up their offensive line, this pick should change your thinking. I list him as a guard, but he has also played center and tackle. In other words he can play all five positions on the line. He is a guarantee against injury. Since the Packers did not draft a tackle, OL Billy Turner will probably start at guard this year but move to right tackle next year after OT Bryan Bulaga is gone. The other offensive line players will have to step up their game to stick next year.

Round 3, Pick 75 overall, TE Jace Sternberger, 6-4, 251, Texas A&M

Is Jace the tight end of the future? We will see. He will need to improve his blocking for that. But in my opinion there is no question about his hands. In some ways it is hard to believe that was in the SEC for only one year. He will be in the mix but probably not a starter this year.

Round 5, Pick 150 overall, DL Kingsley Keke, 6-3, 288, Texas A&M

The Packers are remaking their defensive rush philosophy and hence the players they are getting are bigger, agile, fast enough, and are able to be moved across the line. Kingsley is one of those guys. If this works out the Packers will have Gary, Keke, OLB Preston Smith (6-5, 255), and OLB Za’Darius Smith (6-4, 272) to go with their defensive linemen. This could present a problem for both the other teams rushing attack and their quarterbacks.

Round 6, Pick 185 overall, CB KaDar Hollman, 6-0, 199, Toledo

The Packers needed another corner that can cover bigger receivers, has the speed to keep up with them, ball hawk when needed, cause turnovers, and fill in on a regular basis. Right now Hollman is that player who has the best chance for the job. CB Tony Brown came on strong last year too. But Hollman has more upside. I think the corner position in GB is two deep for each side right now and that is without considering CB Tramon Williams and CB Josh Jackson.

Round 6, Pick 194 overall, RB Dexter Williams, 5-11, 212, Notre Dame

There are some questions here, but when you look at it Williams is probably instantly the third running back on the depth chart. He won’t start but Matt LaFleur’s offense uses multiple running backs. RB Aaron Jones will still be the main guy. But RB Jamaal Williams and Dexter are going to get their share of the work as well. This works to how Dexter was used in college as well – and he was very productive in the role. This could also mean the end of the road for RB Kapri Bibbs and RB Tra Carson. Right now it is very early in the process and injuries could change everything, but that is how it looks to shaping up if all goes as expected.

Round 7, Pick 226 overall, ILB Ty Summers, 6-1, 241, TCU

One thing we know is that Ty can tackle. He set records for that at TCU. There isn’t much tape on cover for a pass. One source said that in passing situation Ty came off the field. So maybe the Packers are betting that they can teach pass coverage. Maybe special teams will be where Ty gets his foot in the door. We’ll see ……

The Packers did add some undrafted players. These include; QB Manny Wilkins from Arizona State, TE Davis Koppenhaver from Duke, WR Matt Eaton from Iowa State, OT Yosh Nijam from Virginia Tech, OL Larry Williams from Oklahoma State, LB Randy Ramsey from Arkansas, LB Greg Roberts from Baylor, LB Curtis Bolton from Oklahoma, CB Kabron Ento from Colorado, and CB Javien Hamilton from Ole Miss. They also signed two tryout players; WR Darius Shepherd from North Dakota State and CB Nydair Rouse from West Chester College. They also added a very young free agent, CB Chandon Sullivan from Georgia State and who is only 22 years old. He last played with the Eagles. I think Eaton, Shepherd, Ramsey, and Rouse stand the best chance of sticking if the Packers have room for them.

Last year’s draft could produce some starters this year. CB Jaire Alexander heads the list and when he finally got healthy last year he made some significant contributions. He has shown he can hold one side down, and if CB Kevin King can stay healthy enough to get on the field, he can hold down the other side. CB Josh Jackson is still looking for a position and developing some consistency. But keep in mind he had only one year at cornerback in college. He might be the slot corner when the dust clears. And that is one step away from a swing man between corner and safety. It is oblivious that the Packers want ILB Owen Burks to make a jump this year and grab the other inside line backer job. They didn’t bring in much competition for him and he did show some ability last year. Of the 3 wide receivers selected last year WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling and WR Equanimeous St. Brown did the best and got plenty of playing time with injuries to 2 of the 3 preferred starters last year. They will get playing time this season – the question is how much? WR Devonte Adams and WR Geronimo Allison are the starters until further notice. WR J’mon Moore had issues with catching the ball in the lights and perhaps understanding the offense well enough to play. The Packers are hopefully things will slow down and come to him easier this year. OG Cole Madison did not play last year due to "personal reasons" but has reported this year. If he had played last year, he probably would unseat OG Lane Taylor this year. So it will be interesting to see what progress Cole makes this year. In last month’s report I said we would all have to decide if we were happy with the draft or not. I speak for myself in that I got an education into what the new offense and defense will look like. I should have listened more closely to what the new head coach and general manager were saying. The evidence points to keeping promises. So I want defer my decision to see how this all works out in training camp. Next month I can break down the roster some, report on new developments, and list players I think will be good fantasy bets. So until then just keep in mind there is a plan in Green Bay.

End.