The Green Bay Packers will be busy this offseason in terms of getting under the cap and shedding contracts, and will leave them with a few offseason needs.
It’s going to be a busy offseason in Green Bay, as the Packers front office and management work to get under the salary cap. There are plenty of options to get this done, with restructures, extensions, and pushing money further down the road. It feels like every avenue will be explored in order to get Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams back in Green Bay Packers uniforms, along with others, (potentially) including De’Vondre Campbell, who was a crucial piece to their defense.
It’s a good idea because of the power shift in the NFL, with a path to a Super Bowl less cluttered in the NFC. But, like every other team who missed out on a title, the Packers need to be able to reload at certain positions to get this unit poised for a Super Bowl run.
Green Bay Packers Offseason Needs In 2022
With most of the moves likely to be internal, including the hope to get at least one of Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Allen Lazard back, along with Yosh Nijman, the focus for the Packers will shift to the 2022 NFL Draft to retool the roster. Brian Gutekunst highlighted some positions that look fruitful in this draft class in his Wednesday presser before the week of the scouting combine, some of which land on the Packers offseason needs. It will be yet another interesting process to figure out where Gutey and company might go when the draft rolls around.
Let’s dive in and look at what the Packers will likely address this offseason.
Defensive Line
We’ll treat the defensive line as all-encompassing for the Green Bay Packers, including defensive ends and tackles. The offseason could net some cap casualties in this group, most notably Za’Darius Smith, who carries a massive cap number in 2022 and is likely the odd man out on the edge on early downs. Preston Smith could receive an extension, as he played good football in 2021, especially as an edge-setter versus the run.
It’s still open season to figure out who the running mate for Kenny Clark will be. T.J. Slaton still has potential, but betting on a day three pick to be a quality starter is a tough ask. Dean Lowry played better pushing the pocket. Still, though, don’t be surprised if the Packers go this direction in one of the first two rounds.
The Packers treat edge rushers as a premium position, and have gone that direction in the first round three times in the last decade, while also peppering later rounds with picks there. You can’t have enough pass rushers in this league, and while the window with Rodgers is shorter, Gutekunst will look long-term as well to form a duo with Rashan Gary.The players to watch at 28 at edge rusher would include prospects like Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders, Drake Jackson, and Boye Mafe.
If we move inside to the defensive line, there are a couple players worth looking at there. DeMarvin Leal is a bit of a tweener to watch for, as he can win from multiple alignments. Devonte Wyatt would also make sense as a wicked quick rusher who can thrive on all three downs.
Wide Receiver
The question marks are aplenty for the Green Bay Packers at the wide receiver position. Obviously, we’ve talked about how all of Adams, Valdes-Scantling, and Lazard are free agents (Lazard a restricted free agent), and Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers currently lead the way as Packers under contract.
Even if Adams and Lazard are the two that return, I don’t think the position is solved. As the league continues to push toward a high-octane offense, having more than one guy who can win in multiple spots (a la Adams outside and in the slot) is important. It isn’t a slight against Lazard, but he’s schemed open a lot. Getting another multi-phase winner is crucial for a postseason run when the margins are slimmer.
There will certainly be options for the Packers at 28 and throughout the draft in a deeper group. If Chris Olave is available at 28, it should be an easy decision. He’s a no-nonsense separator who can win deep and track the football splendidly. George Pickens has limitless upside, and a player like Christian Watson fits as an MVS type on day two.
However the Packers approach receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft, expect multiple picks at the position. It’s a unit that needs to get better and more explosive.
Tight End
The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur have put an emphasis on the tight end position since LaFleur signed on in 2019. He likes rotating a group of contributors at the position and does seem to prefer versatile types. They spent a third round pick on Josiah Deguara, who has an inline/H-back versatile feel to his game.
With futures uncertain regarding Robert Tonyan, who was fabulous in 2020 and 2021 before his injury, Marcedes Lewis, and Dominique Dafney, the Packers could look to the 2022 NFL Draft if they don’t bring back Tonyan.
Trey McBride could be a favorite of the Packers just due to his ability to work inline. He has the size to separate and was extremely productive in his final season at Colorado State. Jeremy Ruckert is another to watch in the early rounds, as the Packers clearly look to Ohio State in the evaluation process.
In a deep group with many options, the Packers could wait to find a pass catching type, another versatile H-back, or a do-it-all guy in the 2022 NFL Draft. All of that likely hinges on whether Tonyan can be brought back and if Lewis hangs it up or is released. As for now, it’s a wait and see at that position.
Other Needs To Watch
Offensive Line
It may not be the top need for the Green Bay Packers, but the offensive line is one to watch this offseason. With Lucas Patrick and Dennis Kelly likely hitting free agency, bringing back Yosh Nijman is important for the Packers. David Bakhtiari could get a restructure and Elgton Jenkins is due for an extension.
The biggest question is Billy Turner. Will he get extended to reduce his cap hit? Or will he be one of the guys released? A release potentially creates a need at right tackle.
It’s likely the Packers will select an offensive lineman somewhere just based on their drafting trends. This writer doesn’t completely agree with the idea of another deep class at tackle, but there are some versatile options on day two and the later rounds to look at for the Packers. If they want a tackle, though, an early pick might be the avenue to take.
Linebacker
This becomes a bigger deal if Campbell doesn’t come back. If he walks and gets a deal elsewhere, then the Packers might sit up in their chair a bit. The first round could be an option if they like either Nakobe Dean or Devin Lloyd (one of the two probably won’t be available there). Day two offers plenty of options though, from the other two Georgia linebackers to Damone Clark, Chad Muma and Leo Chenal. Linebacker is probably a pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but Campbell’s future in Green Bay decides how high-priority it will be.
Secondary
The last of the real needs this offseason for the Green Bay Packers is the secondary. Like linebacker, if Rasul Douglas is back, a Douglas-Jaire Alexander-Eric Stokes trio plus Kevin King is probably a group the Packers will be fine with. Safety gets interesting though, especially when looking at the slot/star position.