Green Bay Packers NFL Draft Picks: 2019 Round-by-Round Results, Grades

How will the Packers use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below.

Author:
Michael Shapiro
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2019

Green Bay will be on the clock with the No. 12 pick after finishing third in the NFC North in 2018 at 6–9–1.

The Packers selected cornerback Jaire Alexander with the No. 18 pick in last year's draft. The Louisville product tallied 66 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 13 games.

How will the Packers use their picks in this year's NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection below, including grades from The MMQB's Andy Benoit. (Check out draft needs for all 32 teams.)

Here's the full list of picks the Packers hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.

Packers picks:

Round 1, Pick 12:

Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan

Andy Benoit's grade: B

Everyone agrees: Gary has ton of talent, but he did not produce much at Michigan. Some coaches wouldn’t know what to make of that, but Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will take it. Pettine believes in aggressive, destructive defensive play. Instead of worrying about gaps, assignments and reads, his front seven players—particularly along the D-line—are instructed to kick the snot out of the man in front of them and let the action take care of itself. It’s also worth noting that Green Bay’s other young defensive linemen have developed well in recent years. The Packers presumably trust that young D-line coach Jerry Montgomery can help Gary hone his considerable raw talent.

Round 1, Pick 21:

Darnell Savage, S, Maryland

Andy Benoit's grade: B+

In addition to destructive, almost reckless, defensive line play (which the Packers addressed by drafting Rashan Gary), the other defining characteristic of defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s scheme is versatility at defensive back. Pettine’s approach of putting six DBs on the field, many of whom are liable to play a different position from one week to the next, requires depth and talent in the secondary. Savage, a playmaker at Maryland, adds to that. His arrival could also stabilize some positions for guys, pushing rising 2017 second-rounder Josh Jones to the box as a dime linebacker and Josh Jackson to slot as a stout corner.

Round 2, Pick 12 (No. 44 overall): Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State

Andy Benoit's grade: B

Jenkins—who has a nice combination of size, power and length—is probably more of a guard than a center, though he can play both. In Green Bay he will play right guard—the recently signed Billy Turner, who is coming off a stellar season in Miami and just signed for $28M over four years ($9M guaranteed), will play right tackle, where Bryan Bulaga has battled wear and tear and is in a contract year. Don't be surprised if Jenkins learns from the bench initially.

Round 3, Pick 11 (No. 75 overall): Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M

Andy Benoit's grade: A

Some see Sternberger as a Travis Kelce-type weapon. That’s not to say the one-year Texas A&M wonder will become an All-Pro, but it does mean the Packers are addressing their need for a receiving tight end after having passed on Iowa’s Noah Fant earlier. In new head coach Matt LaFleur’s scheme, the tight end will be asked to play by himself on the weak side at times. You need athletic receiving prowess to do that.

Round 5, Pick 12 (No. 150 overall): Kingsley Keke, DE, Texas A&M

Round 6, Pick 12 (No. 185 overall): Ka'dar Hollman, CB, Toledo

Round 6, Pick 22 (No. 194 overall): Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame

Round 7, Pick 12 (No. 226 overall): Ty Summers, LB, Texas Christian

See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below.