Unser Chat » T.J. Hockenson saw his stock rise considerably after the

NFL Scouting Combine http://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Jace-Sternberger-Jersey , regularly coming off the board in the top 10 of most mock drafts. However, he slips to the Packers at pick No. 12 in SB Nation’s latest projection." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTWith just over a week remaining before the 2019 NFL Draft begins, some of the ideas discarded early in the process have begun to resurface. Some well-connected NFL media members have publicly questioned whether the Arizona Cardinals will indeed draft Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall selection. Ed Oliver once again seems destined for a top 10 selection. And, as evident in SB Nation Dan Kadar’s latest mock draft, T.J. Hockenson could end up with the Packers at pick No. 12.Tight ends rarely come off the board early in the first round, even coveted, versatile ones like Iowa’s Hockenson. Still, new Packers head coach Matt LaFleur could use a traditional “Y” tight end to great effect in his offensive scheme, especially as an edge blocker on outside-zone runs and tight-end throwbacks. Hockenson’s youth (he just completed his redshirt sophomore season) and the schematic fit make him a viable option for Green Bay this early.The Packers don’t need a center, Garrett Bradbury’s primary position. However, his top-flight athleticism for an offensive lineman and his positional versatility make him a tantalizing choice for Green Bay at this spot. Bradbury could provide real competition at either guard spot immediately while allowing recently signed Billy Turner to spend his time, whether in 2019 or in the future, at right tackle. No matter how Green Bay reshuffled the offensive line, the unit would improve with Bradbury in it. Interior defensive linemen might not move the needle with fans, but the Packers may need their fifth-round pick to play important snaps in 2019." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Nobody is talking about Packers DT Kingsley Keke, but his path to rookie impact is clear TwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailKinglsey Keke dropped weight to play end his senior season, but shined for the Aggies as an interior presence. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesFifth-round picks don’t grab headlines, especially not 300-pound interior defensive linemen. Many Green Bay Packers fans wanted Ed Oliver at 12, which could make Texas A&M’s Kingsley Keke at 150 feel like a major letdown. But the same reason why Oliver made sense for Green Bay at 12 should make it obvious Keke has a chance to be a meaningful player for the team in 2019: they’re probably going to need him to play. With Mike Daniels recovering from an injury during OTAs Elgton Jenkins Jersey , Mike Pettine had to slide Kenny Clark outside so Montravius Adams could play nose tackle with Dean Lowry on the other side. Adams showed some flashes last season but isn’t ideally suited to be playing defensive end in this scheme. Ditto for Tyler Lancaster, who carved out a solid role last year as a run-stuffing interior defender who played well above his pedigree and projection. There isn’t an obvious candidate to play for Lowry if he were to get injured. Most of the guys on the roster fit better playing inside like Daniels does, and though Fadol Brown has the body type to be that guy, we have next to no evidence he can be a consistent, reliable rotational player.The same is true of Keke, of course. He’s a rookie. But his versatility in College Station, where he played everywhere along the defensive line, including his senior season at defensive end, can give Keke the opportunity to get on the field right away. Clark comes into 2019 off a breakout campaign where he established himself as one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the game. If Lowry goes down or Daniels misses extended time again, Pettine won’t want to move Clark out of a position where he’s shown the ability to dominate games. Even if Lowry is healthy, he can’t play every snap, giving Keke the opportunity to spell him. And while it’s true Adams flashed last season, he’s no where near a sure thing to take another step in 2019. Lancaster lacks pass rush juice. If Daniels or Clark are hurt, or simply just need to catch their breath, how does Pettine produce a ferocious interior pass rush with the personnel he has? One option would be to go to his version of the NASCAR package, something Mike Smith already hinted could be on the table. Put Za’Darius and Preston Smith on the field with Rashan Gary and Kyler Fackrell. Go hunt. But there will be other times, like on 2nd-and-9 or 3rd-and-6, where such an aggressive pass rush plan won’t be the prudent course. The Packers will still need somebig bodies who can play the run while prioritizing pass rush. In OTAs, the Packers have been playing their nickel look with two defensive linemen and two outside linebackers. With Clark and Daniels http://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Darnell-Savage-Jr.-Jersey , those spots are spoken for, but in order to keep them fresh and on the field, Pettine could want to get a more rigorous rotation, especially on early downs, to save the wear and tear on his star players bodies. Injuries and formational versatility with guys like the Smiths offers Pettine the flexibility of playing some of his edge rushers inside. Gary also stands as a potential factor along the defensive interior. That’s not a sustainable plan either, though it will be a look Green Bay will no doubt deploy often during the season. Keke showed outstanding run defending capabilities at Texas A&M and flashes pass rush ability everywhere they lined him up. As a sophomore, he finished with 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 4 PDs in somewhat limited snaps playing along the interior of the defensive line. As a senior playing end, he put up 11 TFLs and led the team with 7.5 sacks in the SEC. Sure, he might only be a fifth-round pick, but it’s not like he has to beat out a group of linemen who surpass his pedigree. And a guy like Adams, who does, lacks the kind of flexibility we think the TAMU rookie possesses. For Pettine, that malleability can be just as precious as pure talent.Keke showed enough pass rush juice to ignite the switch to defensive end his senior season, a move made to maximize the guys on the field who could pressure opposing quarterbacks. He could wind up on the field for the same reason in 2019.