5 burning questions the Packers must answer in 2019

4. Did the Packers reach for Rashan Gary?

Of the Packers’ two first round choices, the one that raised more eyebrows was their selection of Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary at 12. Gary, who was one of the top high school recruits of his class, is without a doubt talented but his production was lacking at Michigan.

Most scouts expected Gary to be an impact pass rusher for the Wolverines, but he only racked up 9.5 sacks over the course of his college career. While Gary was still a productive player for the Wolverines, he didn’t live up to the hype that followed him out of high school.

There also questions about Gary’s consistency since he could dominate on some plays and completely disappear on others when you look at the film. Gary’s talent alone was worth a first round choice, but Green Bay raised some eyebrows taking him at 12 ahead of more productive collegians like Brian Burns and Montez Sweat.

The Packers no doubt believe that defensive coordinator Mike Pettine can get the most out of Gary’s raw talent, which could make him a steal if he lives up to his potential. The presence of talented edge rushers on this roster, such as Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, could also create more one-on-one matchups for Gary to take advantage of.

If Gary has a hard time making the transition to the pro ranks, the Packers may regret this choice rather quickly. Getting the talented Gary up to speed could be the difference between Green Bay having a very good defense and a dominant one.