2019 NFL mock draft: Packers grab Polite and Hockenson (again)

Entering the 2019 offseason, the Green Bay Packers have several obvious needs. That has led to many similar-looking mock drafts, including the latest from SB Nation’s Dan Kadar. Both of the packs Kadar projects for Green Bay involve positions and players that readers have come to expect.

12. Green Bay Packers: Jachai Polite, DE/OLB, Florida

Like the Bengals, the Packers are a team that needs to get more athletic on defense, especially in the front seven. Polite would give the Packers an explosive athlete on the edge who is capable of creating havoc in the backfield.

Matching the Packers with LSU’s Jachai Polite makes plenty of sense. The defense needs to generate more pressure off the edges and Polite could slide into Mike Pettine’s scheme and make an instant impact. Pass rushers with Polite’s profile tend to hit, so the team would only need to clear him off the field to minimize risk.

30. Green Bay Packers: (via New Orleans): T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

A month ago, mocking Hockenson in the first round got criticized. Now it’s commonplace in mock drafts. And for good cause. Hockenson is the best tight end in this class thanks to a well-rounded game. He’s a plug-and-play prospect, which is exactly what a team like the Packers needs.

The Packers need to revamp their tight-end group this offseason (more on that later this week), and landing a prospect like T.J. Hockenson could jumpstart that process. The Iowa product would walk into Green Bay as the team’s best blocking tight end as well as a quality pass catcher. In Matt LaFleur’s offense, he makes a ton of sense.