Green Bay Packers Roundtable: Predictions for Free Agency
Three Dairyland Express writers weigh in on what the Green Bay Packers should and shouldn’t do during free agency this offseason.
With NFL Free Agency right around the corner, the Green Bay Packers are faced with a number of decisions. Here’s what four Dairyland Express writers think they should do.
1. What position should the Packers put at the top of their list in free agency and why?
Jacob Westendorf: Weapons for Aaron Rodgers: whether that’s a tight end or speed receivers this team is due for an infusion of talent at the skill positions. The Packers’ tight end room has been a disaster for almost 10 years. Their wide receivers last year were atrocious. They need help, and fast: yes, they can get guys in the draft, but there will be a learning curve for those young guys. Some vets that can pick up the offense quickly would be an excellent addition.
Mike Wendlandt: It’s got to be inside linebacker. The wide receiver class is very underwhelming for the amount of money the “top” guys will get, and the tight end class has a ton of question marks outside of Austin Hooper. That leaves inside linebacker as the best spot to bring in someone of quality for a decent price.
There is a solid group of talent available in free agency. No one who will be an instant All-Pro, but plenty of players who can step in and improve the defense. Obviously, there’s Blake Martinez, Cory Littleton, Joe Schobert, and Nick Kwiatkowski, all of whom have been either linked or have previously played in Green Bay. But there are also guys like De’Vondre Campbell, Christian Kirksey, Alec Ogletree, Danny Trevathan, and Nick Vigil. This is the offseason to bring in a solid linebacker to pair with a promising rookie and guys like Oren Burks and Ty Summers.
Paul Bretl: For me, this is an easy answer and it’s the right tackle position. Based on recent reports it sounds like Bryan Bulaga will be heading elsewhere in free agency and that leaves a huge hole that has to be filled. While Bulaga has caught a lot of flack for his injury history, he has started 30 of the last 32 regular-season games and played at a high level in 2019. Replacing him won’t be easy.
I know linebacker and receiver dominate the conversation and mock drafts at this point, but having a good offensive line is just more important. I mean look at last season, linebacker and receiver were perhaps the two biggest weaknesses on this team and the Packers still went 13-3 behind one of the better offensive line units in the NFL. Whether it’s in free agency or in the draft, finding the long-term answer at the right tackle position will be key.