2019 NFL Draft: Fixing one pick for each NFC North team

Green Bay Packers 2019 NFL Draft Picks:

Round 1 (12): Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Round 1 (21): Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
Round 2 (44): Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
Round 3 (75): Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Round 5 (150): Kinglsey Keke, DT, Texas A&M
Round 6 (185): Ka’dar Hollman, CB, Toledo
Round 6 (194): Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame
Round 7 (226): Ty Summers, LB, TCU

Packers select Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State instead of Rashan Gary

Overall, I did not hate the Green Bay Packers’ haul in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, their selection of Rashan Gary with the 12th overall pick leaves plenty to be desired. Gary is a talented defensive lineman who explodes off of the ball and makes plays in the backfield at times. That being said, he disappeared far too often for comfort.

Simply put, Gary was not very productive in college. He entered Michigan as one of the premier recruits in the entire nation but finished his career with only 9.5 sacks. Gary just could did not make as much of a consistent impact as you would expect out of such a talented player.

I would not have minded taking a shot on his upside eventually, but drafting Gary this early was a reach. Brian Burns would have made more sense for this team.

Burns is an explosive edge rusher who shows incredible speed and athleticism on the outside. He gets off of the ball quickly, bends around the edge easily and closes on the quarterback quickly. Burns also shows an impressive inside counter move that he uses to consistently create pressure.

Burns is a bit slight and struggles at times against the run. That being said, he is a freak athlete who has massive upside as an edge rusher. Gary could grow into a strong player for the Packers, but Burns has a better chance of reaching his ceiling and would have been a better fit in Green Bay.