Green Bay Packers: 3 Positions to Address this Offseason

We are over halfway through the Green Bay Packers’ 2019 season already and it’s evident that these are three positions they’ll have to address this offseason.

It’s been an incredible start to the season for the Green Bay Packers that I’m not sure anyone expected. Heading into their bye week they sit at 8-2 overall, which is currently the two seed in the NFC, and they are alone at the top of the NFC North with a 3-0 divisional record as well.

With a defense that forces timely turnovers and an explosive offense, the Packers have emerged as one of the best teams in the NFL and have just as good of a chance as any to make it to the Super Bowl.

However, we are 10 weeks into the NFL season and it’s become clear what the positional strengths and weaknesses are of this Green Bay Packers team. While these three positions don’t need the makeover that the edge rusher and safety position needed this past offseason, GM Brian Gutekunst will still have some work to do addressing these needs. So let’s take a look ahead to the 2020 offseason at which positions the Packers will have to target in either free agency or early in the draft.

Defensive Tackle

Yes, even after adding Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary at the edge rushing position in 2019, the Green Bay Packers could now very well spend a first round pick on a defensive tackle to give Kenny Clark some help.

Despite Clark’s numbers being down, he is still playing at a high-level this season but is oftentimes double-teamed. However, those around him – which includes Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, and Mantravius Adams – haven’t provided much help. The Packers currently rank 25th in the NFL, giving up nearly 127 rushing yards per game and a majority of those yards have come up the middle. Sure they’ve had their moments and a few big stops but by and large most would agree this is the weakest part of the defense.

Lancaster is still a work in progress and it is unknown how much more the undrafted second-year defensive tackle out of Northwestern will continue to develop. Meanwhile, Adams still isn’t giving the Green Bay Packers the consistency that they hoped they’d be seeing by now.

Potential options at the end of Round 1: Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma) and Marvin Wilson (Florida State)

Inside Linebacker

We could very well be witnessing the final games of Blake Martinez’ career with the Green Bay Packers. Martinez is in the final year of his contract and he is likely to command $8-$10 million per year on the open market per reports.

While he has been the quarterback of this defense and puts up insane tackle numbers each season, he has his limitations as well. A majority of his tackles are made downfield rather than closer to the line of scrimmage and coverage isn’t a strong suit of his. That coupled with the price tag and it just might be best for the Packers to move on.

However, the issue with that is they don’t currently have anyone on the roster capable of taking over full-time. B.J. Goodson is primarily a run defender and Oren Burks hardly sees the field. Whether it be free agency or the early in the draft, the Packers will have to address inside linebacker.

Potential options at the end of Round 1: Dylan Moses (Alabama) and Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)

Wide Receiver

This was a position that had a number of question marks before the season began and while Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur are getting by without a true number two receiver behind Davante Adams, they desperately need one.

Sure, Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow have found the end zone, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has had a big play here and there, while Allen Lazard has stepped up nicely in recent weeks, but overall the production has been very sporadic. Over the last three games, those receivers have combined for 22 receptions for 222 yards – or just over a measly 10 yards per catch – and no touchdowns. Even in Adams’ absence, running back Aaron Jones was Rodgers top receiving target.

This offense is already a potentially dangerous one, but to take them to the next level, Rodgers needs another top-flight receiving target.

Potential options at the end of Round 1: Tee Higgins (Clemson) and Laviska Shenault Jr. (Colorado)

Honorable Mention: Offensive Tackle

Although injuries have been a part of Bryan Bulaga’s career, he has put together a fantastic season so far and I hope that the Green Bay Packers are able to re-sign him this upcoming offseason, since at the moment there doesn’t appear to be a reliable option on the roster to take over at right tackle. But even if they do decide to bring Bulaga back, they need to start planning for the future.

I don’t think that Billy Turner is the answer at tackle and maybe back-up Alex Light continues to develop. In fairness, Light did play well during his few snaps in the Kansas City Chiefs game, but who knows at this point? With that said, tackles are premier position and they don’t grow on trees. Green Bay shouldn’t hesitate spending a Day 2 draft pick on the position to groom behind Bulaga.