2011 NFL Draft Team Needs–Green Bay Packers

Quite honestly, the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers do not have a lot of needs. In fact, many of their pressing needs from the end of the season will be addressed via returning players. Need a tight end? How about one of the best receiving tight ends in the game in Jermichael Finley?

The Packers have done such a fantastic job of building their team through the draft and college free agents over the last five years that they are extremely deep at almost every positions, and you saw first hand that even with a barrage of injuries to key players and suspensions to good ones, this team is fully capable of playing at a very, very high level.

I expect the Packers to be looking a lot at the best player available when it comes time for the draft as they prepare to repeat what was a magical playoff run. They have a chance to be the NFL’s next great dynasty.

1.  Offensive Line Depth

The Packers used a first round choice on Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga in 2010, and he was slow to develop (as I fully expected), but it turns out he was another very, very good pick by the Green Bay organization. Chad Clifton was a pleasant surprise at left tackle this year, but who knows how much longer he will hold up? I would not be shocked to see the Packers look to upgrade at offensive tackle, as well as add to the interior of their offensive line. Gabe Carimi, Mike Pouncey, and Danny Watkins would all be great additions in the first round.

2. Running Back

James Starks was a fine addition, Brandon Jackson played okay in spots, and Ryan Grant is returning. All of this is well and good, but the Packers could have a star at the running back position, at which point they would be unbelievable offensively. Adding a guy like Mark Ingram or Mikel LeShoure, or even Ryan Williams to this offense has to be making opposing teams lose sleep at night.

3.  Wide Receiver depth

Greg Jennings is a star. Donald Driver seems ageless. Jordy Nelson and James Jones are fine complimentary players, but nothing much more. The Packers’ need for another big play receiver was evident in the Super Bowl when they dropped more passes than they probably had all year. It was quite embarrassing and had to be frustrating for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers always seem to find solid value at the receiver position in the draft, and I have to think they will look to a guy like Titus Young or Derrell Johnson-Koulianos in the 3rd-4th round range.