Green Bay Packers: Latest mock draft includes a surprise trade

In the latest mock draft from Will Brinson of CBS Sports, he has the Green Bay Packers addressing their front seven need as well as making a surprise trade.

The Green Bay Packers have a number of needs that have to be filled this offseason, and most would agree that edge rusher is at the top of that list. While Will Brinson of CBS Sports doesn’t have the Packers addressing that specific position in his latest mock draft, he does have them leaving the first round with two impact players.

In most other mock drafts that we have seen, the University of Houston’s star defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been a consensus top ten pick. However in Brinson’s draft, Oliver falls to the Green Bay Packers at twelve.

"“But I like Oliver as a dynamic player for their front seven which sorely needs help heading into 2019.”"

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“Sorely” is a nice way to put it, the Packers desperately need to generate more of a pass rush in 2019 if they hope to bounce back to their winning ways. While I am not sure how likely it is that Oliver falls to Green Bay, if he does, he should absolutely be taken.

Although he missed four games during his 2018 season, Oliver was still able to record 54 total tackles, including a whopping 14.5 for a loss and added three sacks.

Oliver is a superior athlete who brings the rare combination of power, quickness, and speed to the defensive tackle position. He is explosive off of the snap which allows him to consistently find his way into the backfield, he is a solid tackler in open space and is an intelligent run defender who is able to locate the ball carrier quickly.

Joe Marino of The Draft Network has high praise for the young defensive tackle.

"“By year three, Oliver has the upside to become one of the NFL’s premier defensive playmakers against the run and pass.”"

While Oliver doesn’t specifically address the need at edge rusher, adding him to a defensive line that already consists of Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels would be a home run selection.

Moving on to the Green Bay Packers 30th overall pick is where things get interesting. Particularly because they don’t make a selection, but rather trade the pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver Antonio Brown.

"“Giving up a first round pick is a lot, but the Packers have a pair of them, and I don’t know if they get a better option in the draft to win right now. Green Bay would be a wild fit for Brown, but it’s out of the AFC and Pittsburgh would do it in a heartbeat.”"

There is no question that the Steelers would make this trade in a “heartbeat” if they were offered a first-round pick for Brown. As of now, there is a consensus around the league that the best offer that Pittsburgh will receive would be a second rounder paired with a late-round pick.

If the Green Bay Packers truly wanted to trade for Brown, I see their 44th overall pick being a more likely offer than the pick at 30.

Without a doubt, the addition of Brown to this Packers’ team would make for an explosive offense. Over the last six seasons, Brown has averaged 115.2 receptions, 1,529.2 yards and 11.8 touchdowns per year. That type of production coupled with Davante Adams, Aaron Jones and Aaron Rodgers under center would be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.

However, Brown will turn 31 before the new season begins and comes with a hefty contract along with some off the field concerns. With a first-year head coach and the potential problems that could occur in the locker room, is it worth the risk?

Of course, this is a fun scenario to think about but at the moment I do not see it as a likely one, especially if the 30th overall pick in the draft is a requirement for the trade to happen.

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If these two scenarios do occur, there is no doubt that this Green Bay Packers team would be improved with these players on their roster. With free agency and the draft still ahead of us, it will be fascinating to see how the Packers go about addressing their needs this offseason.

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