In recent years the Packers have struck out time after time while throwing their heads against the wall trying to draft defensive players. That strategy hasn’t worked for the past five years, so why would anything change this year? If you are into betting with sportsbook-duel.com, would you place a wager on the Packers right now?

As the Packers have ample draft capital, the 2019 draft should begin and end with Green Bay surrounding Aaron Rodgers with as much talent as possible.

The priority in free agency appears to have been to plug holes on defense. Now, the Packers should follow the blueprint of other perennial NFL powerhouses and focus on what makes their team go, the quarterback. The Patriots, Saints, Chargers and Steelers have all invested heavily in recent years in encompassing their aging pivots with talent at every position.

The number one goal in the process of bringing another Lombardi trophy home to Titletown has to be protecting Aaron Rodgers and giving him the weapons at each skill position to help him re-discover his elite form. Look for the Packers to follow the Patriots, who in last years’ draft took left tackle Isiah Wynn with their initial first round pick. While drafting his former Georgia Bulldog teammate, running back Sony Michel later in the first round. The Saints meanwhile, found slippery back Alvin Kamara in the third round in 2017, and stole tackle Ryan Ramczyk with the thirty second pick that same year. General Manager Mickey Loomis had already added 2018 receptions leader Michael Thomas with a second round pick the year before. Transforming the Saints offensive football team seemingly overnight. The Packers will be looking to replicate this formula in the upcoming draft. Anything close to a similar draft haul would be an overwhelming triumph in Green Bay.

After throwing off-season resources in draft picks and free agent deals at their under-performing defense for years, the New Orleans Saints finally wised up and realized the best predication for success in the modern NFL. Surrounding their best player, Drew Brees, with as much talent as possible. In 2019, the Packers should look to do the same. The quickest route to success in Green Bay remains putting Aaron Rodgers in the best position to be the all-world quarterback he is. In order to do so, an major inflection of talent is needed to execute new head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. This has to be the thought process going into next month’s draft.

If the Green & Gold are to go “off-script” according to what many fans and media analysts alike have as their team needs, who would be the targets? Everything on this football team starts and ends with number twelve. Thus, the most pressing matter has to be boosting the capabilities of the men in the trenches in front of him. The front office could target an offensive lineman as early as pick thirty in the first round. Dalton Risner of Kansas State would be a welcome addition, and the ideal lineman to add at this juncture. Risner would bring the “nasty” streak back to the offensive line that Green Bay has been missing for some time. He is a leader on and off the field and could slide in at either guard spot until Bryan Bulaga moves on.

In the second round, Deebo Samuel of South Carolina would be a fantastic new target for Aaron Rodgers. His ability to beat corners off the snap and separate is something the Packer wide receivers, out side of stalwart Davante Adams, sorely lacked last year. Another receiver who could be available at this juncture was actually more productive than out of this world athlete D.K. Metcalf. A.J. Brown, the less-heralded but perhaps more pro-ready receiver from Ole Miss, has the route-running, contested catch prowess, and football intelligence that would make him a weapon in Green Bay catching passes from the slot. With the loss of Randall Cobb, a chain-moving receiver is very much a real position of need this off-season.

Of course, most Packers fans would likely jump for joy were the team to add either of the Iowa tight ends with a first round pick. However, Ted Thompson’s philosophy was to draft skill players in the second round or lower, while using his golden tickets to draft positions of high value. Ted would target offensive tackles, pass rushers, and later corners in the first round, while attacking other positions later on in the draft. Brian Gutekunst outlook is anything but set in stone. Nonetheless, it is well known that Matt Lafleur’s offense does employ the tight end all over the field. Thus, a versatile player who can block and create mismatches is worth his weight in gold. While it would seem the Packer already have this player in Jimmy Graham, don’t be surprised if the Packers brain trusts sees the value in trading back from pick number twelve in order to target one of these playmakers.

Speaking of trading back, the value in this years’ draft class, like many years’ previously remains from pick 20-70. Depending on how the board falls, the braintrust at 1265 Lombardi Avenue may choose to trade the twelfth overall pick in order to add an extra second or early third round pick. Perhaps they even add another high selection in next years class. Either hypothetical scenario could provide Green Bay with the opportunity to add multiple impact players around Aaron Rodgers. Brian Gutekunst and company simply must recognize that this is the Packers best approach to returning to greatness in the latter stages of Rodgers’ career. Let’s hope we see some fireworks out of Lambeau during next months’ NFL draft.

Only a month to go until the 2019 NFL draft Packers fans! Let me know below and on Twitter who you think the Packers should target on offense!

Nick is a lifelong Packers fan. 4th and 26 was on his 13th birthday, unlucky. Follow him @CANDRAFTGEEK647 on Twitter for all your Packers draft needs and questions.