Packers have voids to fill after first week of free agency

The Packers signed some key players in free agency, but they also lost their fair share. They have some voids to fill before the regular season

The Packers came into free agency with some areas of needs, and many key players hitting the market. They came out of free agency with many of their key players signing elsewhere, but they also came out with some great signings.

Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, and Davon House were brought in from other teams, and Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliot, Jordan Tripp, and Don Barclay were given new contracts to stay with the Pack.

However, TJ Lang, Eddie Lacy, Micah Hyde, and Julius Peppers were among some of the key players who signed with new teams. Through the free agency portion of the offseason, the Packers have some weaknesses to address.

Offensive Weaknesses

Offensive Line– Free agency was not good to the Packer’s offensive line. TJ Lang and JC Tretter both signed elsewhere, which means starting Right Guard and starting center/6th lineman are vacant. Don Barclay was resigned but he’s nothing more than depth.

Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, and Barclay remain as backups, but none of them have played well to this point. Brian Bulaga could slide over to guard, but that seems like it’s the last option because he’s such a good right tackle.

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The Packers pick at 29 in the first round, and there might be some offensive line help available when they come on the clock. Ryan Ramczyk, Forrest Lamp, and Cam Robinson have all come up in the first round of almost every mock draft. However, Ramczyk and Robinson are tackles and will more than likely be gone before the Packers could pick them. Lamp may still be there at 29. He was a tackle at Western Kentucky but is going into the NFL as a guard. At 6’4 309 pounds, Lamp could step in and start on day one.

There are a few solid free agent guards on the market, but the Packers will more than likely take their chances in the draft, or with someone on the roster.

Running Back– With the departure of Lacy, the Packers have a small need at running back. Ty Montgomery handled the backfield pretty well last season, but the Packers need depth. Long time backup James Starks is finally gone, and it seems more unlikely that the Packers will bring back Christine Michael.

There isn’t a ton left in free agency, so one wouldn’t expect more than a 3rd string, or depth signing. Adrian Peterson is available, but there’s no worse fit for the packers offense in the league. Jamal Charles is available, and even though the Packers will avoid him for obvious reasons, it would be a lot of fun to see him in Green and Gold.

Running back is not a dire need for the Packers. They do not need to spend a top pick on the position. It would be nice to see them draft someone who has a different running style than Montgomery. Montgomery is very patient and waits for his holes, so it would be nice to see a quick running back that hits holes hard drafted sometime later in the draft.

Defensive Weaknesses

Corner– As it always seems, the Packers have a need at corner. Sam Shields was released, so that left Rollins, Randal, and Gunter to man the position. Davon House was inked to a deal last week, and overall that was a big signing. House gives the Packers more depth and some veteran leadership. House was also pretty solid as a Packer.

The top free agent corners are gone, and the leftovers are leftovers for a reason. The draft class is strong, so wasting money on a washed up corner doesn’t make sense.

Corner also looks like a strong FA group, though that'll be trickier for teams weighing against monster draft class for secondary.
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) February 9, 2017

TreDavious Wright, Fabian Moreau, and Teez Tabor are a few of the Many corners who are fringe first round to second round prospects. The Pack should capitalize on the depth of this position in the draft, and take at least one if not two corners early on.

Defensive Line/Edge Rush–

Going into next season the only two players who really have concrete roles are Nick Perry and Mike Daniels. As for the down lineman, Kenny Clark was up and down as a rookie and needs to improve this season. Letroy Guion was suspended again, and Dean Lowry didn’t record a ton of snaps as a rookie.