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SB Nation’s penultimate draft of 2019 has arrived. In just a few days, the Green Bay Packers and other teams will make their choices official and end the months-long speculation about prospects. Draft guru Dan Kadar can also go on his long-awaited vacation to Tahiti, a deserved break from the grind of college tape and player evaluation.
In Kadar’s second-to-last 2019 mock draft, he sees the Packers going in familiar and understandable directions with their first-round picks.
12. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Offseason needs: Tight end, safety, defensive line, offensive line
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush has become hot name at No. 12, but it will be hard to pass on Hockenson if he’s available. If there is continued uncertainty with Green Bay’s receivers, Hockenson can take a lot of the pressure off.
While tight ends rarely justify such an early selection, Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson possess rare two-way ability for a prospect at the position and the high-end athletic profile to justify consideration. Furthermore, the value of a “Y” tight end in Matt LaFleur’s offense will make Hockenson a difficult option to refuse should he remain on the board for the Packers.
30. Green Bay Packers: (via New Orleans): Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
Offseason needs: Tight end, safety, defensive line, offensive line
A tight end and offensive lineman has been the classic maneuver for the Packers since they doubled up on pass rushers in free agency. This week it’s Hockenson and Lindstrom, the latter of whom is a stout, run-blocking guard.
Several offensive-line prospects fit the Packers, but none more so than Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom. Acme Packing Company also selected Lindstrom here in the SB Nation NFL writer mock draft, arguing Lindstrom’s athletic profile, impressive college track record, and schematic fit made him a strong choice for Green Bay:
Lindstrom tested extremely well at the combine for an offensive lineman, finishing with a composite athletic score in the 96th percentile for his position group, according to 3 Sigma Athlete. Just as importantly, Lindstrom comes from a Boston College offense that made regular use of the outside-zone and under-center play-action fakes that will form the backbone of Green Bay’s new offense. He has also seen extensive action at both tackle and guard in college, versatility the Packers have long favored in their O-linemen.