Optimism reigns supreme in Green Bay Wisconsin through nine weeks of the NFL’s 100th season. The Packers sit at 7-2, with an intriguing Sunday afternoon match-up with the Carolina Panthers on the docket. In 2019, the Green Bay Packers have been a much improved football team. However, as last week’s game in Los Angeles showed, there is always room for improvement.

Who Could the Packers target in the 2020 NFL Draft?

Round 1: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado: The theme in Packers losses so far this season has been the lack of depth on the outside. Excluding perennial Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams, and former 5th rounder Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Pack have a group of undrafted, unproven receivers. A new toy is needed for Aaron Rodgers. A big, explosive receiver, Laviska Shenault is everything this Packers team needs. Think Randall Cobb with more juice.

Round 2: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama: One thing comes to mind for the Packers while watching McKinney’s tape. He is strong in man-coverage. Coming from the DB factory that is Nick Saban’s Alabama, McKinney is a disciplined defender in a variety of roles on the back end. He’s also a fantastic athlete, but more importantly for the Packers, McKinney excels while traveling downhill and in covering tight ends. A crucial point of emphasis for the Packers defense to improve on this off-season. Think of Xavier McKinney as a souped-up Ibraheim Campbell, he’ll play the sub package linebacker role in Mike Pettine’s defense.

Round 3: Trey Adams, OT, Washington: Adams in the third round would represent far too much value for the Packers to pass up. As tenacious and tough in the trenches as they come, the 6’8 behemoth was mentioned in some first round conversations as early as 2018, before returning to school and being hindered by injuries. He demonstrates fantastic patience in pass sets, and seems completely unbothered by pass rushers, trusting his exceptional technique. Adams displays outstanding timing in both his kick slide, and while first contacting rushers to hinder forward momentum. He could replace Bryan Bulaga at right tackle in 2020, or become the swing tackle Green Bay so desperately needs.

Round 4: Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern: Fisher would seamlessly transition into Blake Martinez’s role in the middle of the Packers defense. A physically imposing linebacker (6’3, 245), he is often dominant at the point of attack, while also displaying the speed to chase ball carriers to the sideline. Fisher has the ability to take on blockers at the line of scrimmage, and the instincts to make the stop. He understands offensive sets and diagnoses quickly. Number 42 is the heart and soul of the Wildcats program, and would bring that same poise and leadership to Green Bay. Just what the doctor ordered for the Packers struggling run defense.

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.