2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Packers could take in Round 1

The Packers want to load up to give Aaron Rodgers another Super Bowl title. That means they need to nail their first round pick in this year’s draft.

The mission for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers this season is daunting, yet simple. It’s Super Bowl or bust for Green Bay. If new head coach Matt LaFluer is going to be able to achieve that goal in year one, he’ll need to get excellent production out of the team’s No. 12 overall selection.

The Packers are in the unique situation of having two first rounders this year, but this piece will focus on what they should do with the first of those selections. The fact that GM Brian Gutekunst also has the No. 30 pick at his disposal does, however, increase the likelihood that Green Bay could move up in the draft if they see a prospect they really like start to fall.

The good news for Packers fans is that their favorite team filled a lot of their needs in free agency. Signing Ze’Darius Smith and Preston Smith adds a lot of talent to the team’s linebacking corps. The safety was already in good shape due to all the young players the team has drafted over the past couple of seasons.

That leaves the defensive front and potentially the offense as target areas for the Packers in Round 1.

5. T.J. Hockenson

To put it bluntly, if Hockenson is still on the board when the Packers go on the clock at No. 12 there should be no hesitation to make him their first round selection. LaFleur would have a field day working with he and Jimmy Graham to really stress opposing secondaries.

Unfortunately for Green Bay, the chances of Hockenson slipping this far are pretty small. If they want Hockenson, they’ll need to move up a few spots. They’ve got the draft capital to make that move, but it’s unclear whether or not Gutekunst and his front office are in love with the Iowa tight end.