2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

If the Packers maintain a 3-4 defense under new head coach Matt LaFleur, then Jachai Polite makes the most sense as they look to upgrade a pass rush in serious need of young talent. If they move to a 4-3 base, then they’d be inclined to grab Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell with this pick instead, if he were to be available. As is, I’ll stick with Polite for now.

Green Bay got production from a lot of sources rushing the passer this season, but didn’t have the coveted dominant edge rusher. They got a career year out of third-year player Kyler Fackrell, whose 10.5 sacks more than doubled his production in his first two years in Green Bay combined. Even if Fackrell’s season is a sign of things to come, there’s still a tough decision to be made on the other side.

Clay Matthews is slated to become a free agent this offseason, and his production has been in a steady decline for a few years now. He hasn’t managed a double-digit sack season since 2014, and he’ll turn 33 by the time the next season starts. It won’t surprise me if the Packers bring him back on a one-year deal, but an influx of youth is needed off the edge regardless of the decision that is made on Matthews.

Polite’s breakout junior season in the Swamp had a lot to do with Florida’s resurgence in 2018. The Gators improved from a four-win campaign in 2017 to 10-wins and a win over Michigan in the Peach Bowl this season under first year head coach Dan Mullen.

Polite was a major reason, amassing 19.5 tackles-for-loss and 11.0 sacks. Polite is still a bit raw, but could learn from the veteran Matthews and ultimately develop into a feared pass rusher in the NFL.