Green Bay Packers Land Star WR In 2019 NFL Re-Draft

A fun exercise NFL fans like to do is go back and look at past drafts, seeing how things could have gone differently knowing what we do in the present day. Five years later, the 2019 NFL Draft produced some incredible players and the Green Bay Packers are benefitting from that.

In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers originally selected Michigan edge rusher Rashan Gary No. 12 overall. That is a selection the team has been thrilled with as Gary has developed into one of the better pass rushers in the NFL.

But in the 2019 NFL Re-Draft done by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, Gray doesn’t make it to the No. 12 pick. He is snatched up by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 11. That means the Green Bay Packers need to go in a different direction. Instead of Gary, they come away with a star wide receiver.

With the No. 12 pick in the 2019 NFL Re-Draft, the Green Bay Packers select wide receiver Terry McLaurin. This pick makes a lot of sense when taking a look at where the franchise was at that time.

“Knowing how things will unfold, the Packers use a redraft to do something they otherwise haven’t done since taking Javon Walker in 2002—they grab an offensive skill player in the first round,” Knox wrote.

Aaron Rodgers was on the cusp of winning two more MVP awards. Giving him another excellent weapon to complement Davante Adams would have made an already strong offense that much more dangerous.

In the original draft, McLaurin didn’t come off the board until the third round. The Ohio State product was selected No. 76 overall by the Washington Commanders and has been a consistent producer since entering the NFL.

As a rookie, he caught 58 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. He has caught at least 77 passes for 1,000+ yards in each of the following five seasons, proving consistent despite some inconsistent quarterback play.

McLaurin certainly qualifies as a No. 1 receiver and would have thrived as the No. 2 behind Adams. When Adams departed in 2022, having a player of McLaurin’s caliber would have certainly helped soften the blow.

But, the Green Bay Packers certainly aren’t disappointed in their current wide receiver situation. They may not have a prototypical No. 1 receiver but have a deep, talented group of players that can step up on any given week.

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