Green Bay Packers still need another offensive playmaker

The Green Bay Packers have clearly upgraded their roster during free agency. However, they still have a major need for another offensive playmaker.

Whether you agree with how the Green Bay Packers spent their money at the beginning of free agency, there should be no disagreement they upgraded their roster. Gone are Clay Matthews and Nick Perry at outside linebacker. In their place is the ascending duo of Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Green Bay also added Adrian Amos to their secondary and Billy Turner to their offensive line.

Although it remains to be seen if general manager Brian Gutekunst overpaid for his new additions, it did make the roster a lot clearer heading into the draft.

Before free agency began, it looked as if the Packers might have to reach with one of their two first round picks. They had such big needs, especially on defense, that it was essential they filled those holes immediately. Now, the Packers can sit back and let the draft come to them.

However, Green Bay still has one glaring need at that’s a lack of playmakers on offense. Aaron Rodgers is still a great quarterback, but the height of his reign is over. So are the days when he had multiple studs around him.

When the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2011, Rodgers had Jermichael Finley, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and the ascending James Starks. There were potential game-changers all over the field.

All those players have moved on by now and the Packers have been trying to replace them. Davante Adams has stepped in and is on his way to being one of the best receivers in the entire NFL. However, the Packers have nobody after him.

Sure, they have some potential guys, but nobody who is anywhere close to proven. Jimmy Graham, the Packers’ big free agent signing last year, was a complete bust and is only getting older.

Geronimo Allison flashed a little bit last season before going down with an injury, but he’s far from a sure thing and is probably better suited as a no. 3 receiver instead of the no. 2 he’ll be in Green Bay. Behind him, the trio of now second-year players each bring something unique to the table, but they were mid-to-late round picks for a reason.

The backfield is where the Packers have the most potential. Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones are a rising 1-2 punch in the running game. They each bring something different to the table and should give the Packers’ a respectable rushing attack for years to come. Unfortunately, neither player has proven the ability to stay healthy for a whole season.

All that leaves plenty of room for the Packers to upgrade and add another offensive weapon behind Adams. A player like that will only be available early in the draft so the Packers must certainly keep an eye out.

Green Bay has clearly improved on the defensive side of the ball and should begin turning their attention to their skill players on offense. Providing the aging Rodgers with the support he had early on his career will go a long way in preserving his greatness.