Green Bay Packers NFL Draft Picks: 2018 Round-by-Round Results, Grades
After a disappointing season in which they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Green Bay Packers will look to stock up on young talent to provide superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the tools for another championship run. In free agency, new general manager Brian Gutekunst resigned defensive back Davon House and brought old friend Tramon Williams back to the secondary mix, and signed defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson to shore up the defense. On the other side of the ball, Green Bay signed tight end Jimmy Graham, who will look to complement Davante Adams and offset the departure of Jordy Nelson,
The Packers were involved in the third trade on draft day, and it was a big one: the Packers moved down 13 spots in the first round to No. 27 for the Saints to take Marcus Davenport at No. 14, and got back a fifth-round pick this year and New Orleans' first round pick next year as well.
Soon though, Gutekunst made another trade, shipping that No. 27 pick from New Orleans, along with a third rounder and a sixth rounder, to Seattle in order to move up to No. 18. The Seahawks threw in a seventh rounder as well.
How will the Packers use their picks in the NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.
Here's the full list of picks the Packers hold in the 2018 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.
Round 1, Pick 18 (No. 18 overall) [via Seattle]
Jaire Alexander, DB, Louisville
Andy Benoit's grade: B+
Some might cite edge rusher as a bigger need, with almost-32-year-old Clay Matthews in a contract year. But new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine never had great edge rushers with the Jets, where he made his bones—he had great cover corners, which he put on islands to enhance his interior pressures and zone blitz disguises. Presumably, that’s how head coach Mike McCarthy wants to play, given that Pettine’s predecessor, Dom Capers, subscribed to a similar philosophy. The Packers appear to have a quality cover corner in Kevin King (though the 2017 second-rounder has played just nine NFL games). The hope now is they have another with Alexander.
Scouting Report: He battled a knee injury for most of last season, but when healthy, Alexander is a quick, aggressive, ball-hawking corner who is at his best playing off coverage and breaking on the ball. While undersized, he held his own against bigger receivers downfield as well.
Round 2, Pick 13 (No. 45 overall): Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Andy Benoit's grade: B+
There’s no doubt that Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine believe that teams win with one-on-one coverage in the NFL. From there you can create a pass rush through deceptive looks and blitzing. The Packers had just one quality corner on the roster entering this draft (last year’s second-rounder Kevin King). With Jaire Alexander last night, they’ve now added two more. Don’t rejoice completely, though, Packers fans. No pick is a sure thing. Green Bay drafted corners in Rounds 1 and 2 in 2015—Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. If that had worked out, Alexander and Jackson wouldn’t be here.
Round 3, Pick 24 (No. 88 overall) [Via Carolina]: Oren Burks, OLB, Vanderbilt
Andy Benoit's grade: B+
Coverage linebackers are important in today’s NFL, and the Packers needed one after Joe Thomas signed with Dallas in free agency. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine likes athletic, interchangeable pieces in the middle of the field, because it makes it easier to disguise your looks.
Round 4, Pick 33 (No. 133 overall): J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
Round 5, Pick 1 (No. 138 overall): Cole Madison, G, Washington State
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Round 5, Pick 35 (No. 172 overall): JK Scott, P, Alabama
Round 5, Pick 37 (No. 174 overall): Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, South Florida
Round 6, Pick 33 (No. 207 overall): Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
Round 7, Pick 14 (No. 232 overall): James Looney, DE, California
Round 7, Pick 21 (No. 239 overall): Hunter Bradley, LS, Mississippi State
Round 7, Pick 30 (No. 248 overall) [via Seattle]: Kendall Donnerson, LB, Southeast Missouri State
