Winners and Losers of the 2018 NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers

NFL: APR 26 2018 NFL Draft

Notable Picks:

First Round: 1.18 Jaire Alexander

Second Round: 2.13 Josh Jackson

New Packers GM Brian Gutekunst, pulled off the heist of the century in the first round. This gets a little complicated, so stick with me. The Packers traded back from their number 14 spot, acquiring the Saints number 27 pick and their FIRST ROUND PICK in the 2019 draft in the process.

The Saints desperately wanted Marcus Davenport and paid up big time to get him. The Pack then traded up themselves, to the number 18 spot, gaining the No. 248 pick in the process. The Packers gave the Seahawks picks number 27, 76 and 176 for the privilege. In basic terms, the Packers moved down 3 spots and picked up a first-round pick next year, by just losing a third-round pick. Still with me?

After all of that, Gutekunst drafted the corner that this secondary so desperately needed. Jaire Alexander was selected with the 18th overall pick, and he is the perfect fit for new DC Mike Pettine’s defense. Injuries plagued his 2017, but now fully healthy, Alexander will look to get back to ball-hawking play that made him stand out when playing for Louisville. His mixture of speed and aggression will transfer well to the NFL, and despite being slightly smaller than most CBs, he has shown he can go up and get the ball against bigger receivers.

In the second round, the Packers solidified the secondary again by selecting Iowa CB Josh Jackson. Jackson and Alexander were in the top 3 CBs available in the draft for many experts, and the Packers pulled off a real feat by managing to draft both of them. Jackson is more of a shutdown corner, who has more size than Alexander.

With these two additions, Pettine will hope they Packers can play more man on man coverage, creating more personnel available to rush the passer. This team could go from one of the worst defenses in the league to a top 10 D.