Green Bay Packers’ 2019 NFL Draft Big Board
![COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/14fb6c12b45c9e0cd84567fc9ba8517967852b200b53a0af714efeb71a9e3226.jpg)
6. Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
Again, outside linebacker is a huge need for Green Bay. Nick Perry likely played his last snap in green and gold and Clay Matthews is a free agent this offseason. That means the Packers could likely be looking at adding two new starting outside linebackers.
If that’s the case, Polite would be a great place to start. He has a tool belt full of different pass rush moves that he can unleash at any time. This has allowed him to rack up 11 sacks and 18 tackles for loss this season at Florida. At 6-foot-2, he’s a little on the short side, but his speed more than makes up for it. This would be a home run pick for the Pack.
5. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
Safety is almost an equal need as pass rush. The Packers backend has struggled all season and they traded their most reliable starter Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Players like Kentrell Brice and Josh Jones are inconsistent and might not be the long-term answer. Even if Josh Jackson moves to safety like some predict, Green Bay will need to add at least one other player.
Thompson can be the safety valve for the young Packers’ corners, as he has tremendous range on the back end. He could be the answer the Packers thought they had in Clinton-Dix and a plug and play starter for the next decade.