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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Attacking and protecting young quarterbacks

By George Stockburger

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass in the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass in the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Xavier McKinney #15 force a fumble on Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 15: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Xavier McKinney #15 force a fumble on Jordan Ta’amu #10 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

49. . S. Alabama. Deionte Thompson. 22. player

Green Bay is making their first of two first round picks after acquiring the Saints pick last year in the Marcus Davenport move. They remain alive in a tight NFC North battle thanks to a tie but they need a little more juice on defense.

Some of that could come from a replacement to Clay Matthews, someone the organization might not retain after this season. Matthews will be one of several key starters eligible for free agency, including Mo Wilkerson, Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Jake Ryan, and HaHa Clinton-Dix.

Green Bay will be up against the salary cap going into the offseason and it’s likely many of their core players leave in free agency. Clinton-Dix, their first round pick from 2014 out of Alabama, could be one of them. He made a Pro Bowl two year ago and leads the NFL in interceptions going into week seven.

Deionte Thompson is one of the best safeties in college football and he would immediately replace Clinton-Dix in the Packers secondary. He’s a fast and aggressive playmaker for the Tide who has really stepped up this year after Minkah Fitzpatrick left. He brings really good size at 6’2  and has shown really good range in coverage.

There are a ton of ways for Green Bay to restock, but this gives then an opportunity to fill an immediate need and take the best player available.

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