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2019 NFL Mock Draft: How high will Kyler Murray go in projected first round?

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners walks off the field after the game against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
(Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

Florida. Jachai Polite. 12. player. 49. . DE/OLB

If the Packers stick with their 3-4 defensive scheme 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. He’s a perfect fit for that defensive scheme as an edge rusher.

Polite played an integral role in Florida’s 2018 resurgence under first-year head coach Dan Mullen as the Gators improved from a four win 2017 to a 10-win 2018 that included a Peach Bowl victory over Michigan. Polite racked up 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles-for-loss during his junior season in the Swamp, flashing the tools to be a feared pass rusher at the next level.

The Packers got production from a number of sources rushing the passer this season, but didn’t have that coveted dominant edge rusher. Third-year player Kyler Fackrell put together a career season – his 10.5 sacks in 2018 more than doubled his production in his first two years in Green Bay combined. Even if Fackrell’s season turns out to be a sign of things to come instead of an aberration, the Packers will have a tough decision to make this offseason.

Franchise stalwart Clay Matthews becomes a free agent this offseason, and his production has been in a steady decline for a few years. He hasn’t managed a double-digit sack season since 2014, and he’ll turn 33 by the time the next season starts. Regardless of what the Packers choose to do with Matthews, and I expect he’ll be back at Lambeau on a team-friendly one-year deal in 2019, a youth influx at the position is needed. Matthews could serve as the mentor for a young guy like Polite to learn from.

If the Packers aren’t sold on Polite, they could try to wait on an edge rusher until they pick again near the end of the first round with the Saints pick. Green Bay desperately needs upgrades on an offensive line that has gotten Aaron Rodgers constantly killed the last couple of years; they ranked tied for third worst in the NFL in sacks allowed so that will be a priority this offseason.

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