BRISTOL, Conn. -- Ted Thompson's biggest task on draft weekend is this: improve the NFL's 31st-ranked pass defense.

There are a few ways for the Green Bay Packers general manager to accomplish that.

That was foremost on my mind when the ESPN NFL Nation mock draft unfolded here this week. In a relatively deep cornerback draft, only two were off the board when it got to the Packers at No. 29: Marshon Lattimore to the Jets at No. 6 and Kevin King to the Seahawks at No. 26.

2017 NFL DRAFT Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App

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If a similar situation unfolds Thursday during the first round of the actual draft, Thompson would have his pick of a handful of cornerbacks considered potential first-round picks. Chief among them is Marlon Humphrey of Alabama, but Ohio State's Gareon Conley, LSU's Tre'Davious White, USC's Adoree' Jackson, Florida's Quincy Wilson, Michigan's Jourdan Lewis and Colorado's Chidobe Awuzie were also there.

So why take Wisconsin outside linebacker T.J. Watt?

There's more than one way to improve a pass defense. Another pass-rusher could aid just as much in that process. It also could give defensive coordinator Dom Capers more freedom with Clay Matthews. As much as the Packers might want to pair Matthews and Nick Perry as a pass-rushing duo at outside linebacker, they could need to play Matthews on the inside more this season like they did in 2014 and 2015.

Forget that Watt would be a popular pick because of his Wisconsin roots; he's ready made for a 3-4 defense like Capers runs. Unlike some pass rushers that Thompson has taken -- Perry chief among them -- Watt wouldn’t have to make a position switch from defensive end, giving him a better chance to make an immediate contribution.

The Packers haven't had a rookie outside linebacker make a major impact since Matthews in 2009. Thompson took Matthews at No. 26 overall in that draft. Even Matthews thought Watt would be a good fit for the Packers, saying, it would be "great if he’s even half the player that his brother [J.J.] is."

As for cornerback, it's entirely possible that the Packers believe they have their nucleus already in place with third-year pros Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter -- plus the return of veteran free agent Davon House -- and that last season's struggles were more due to a rash of injuries rather than substandard play. Or they know it's a deep cornerback class and they could get one who can make an immediate impact on Day 2.