Green Bay Packers’ Needs Haven’t Been Addressed In Free Agency Yet
Nearly one week into free agency, the Green Bay Packers have yet to address any of their primary weaknesses from a season ago.
After finishing just one game short of reaching the Super Bowl, it was abundantly clear the Green Bay Packers needed to shore up their weaknesses if they were going to compete for the Lombardi trophy in 2020. That list included inside linebacker, right tackle, wide receiver and tight end among others.
It’s now been almost a week since the legal tampering period began and, although there is a lot of time left in the offseason, Green Bay is no closer to addressing their primary needs than at the beginning.
Sure, they signed Christian Kirksey and Ricky Wagner to be their new starting inside linebacker and right tackle, respectively. However, neither player provides a clear upgrade over last year’s starter. Kirksey has the potential, if healthy, to have a bigger impact than Blake Martinez. On the flipside, Wagner is a clear downgrade from Bulaga.
General manager Brian Gutekunst chose not to invest heavily at those positions. Instead of committing big money to the likes Bulaga, Martinez or even Joe Schobert or Cory Littleton, he went bargain shopping to provide a stop-gap at linebacker and tackle.
That’s all fine and dandy, but if the Packers want to improve on last year’s success, they must upgrade their roster in other key areas. Wide receiver and tight end, for example. So far, their biggest moves have come in the form of releasing Jimmy Graham and re-signing Marcedes Lewis. And for a team that severely lacks pass-catching playmakers, that’s simply not good enough.
Gutekunst reportedly was interested in Emmanuel Sanders, a 33-year-old slot receiver who would provide Green Bay with a number two receiving threat behind Davante Adams. Unfortunately, Sanders spurned them to sign a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Difference-making wide receivers are dwindling with Robby Anderson being the best available. Luckily, the draft is heavy on receivers so Gutekunst can likely find a good one at the end of the first round. However, he shouldn’t rely solely on a rookie to have a big impact next year.
As for tight end, it appears the Packers will be counting on Jace Sternberger, a third-round pick last year, to play a big role. Sternberger was severely limited as a rookie due to an injury so he certainly comes with risk as well.
Next. Packers: 4 Wide Receivers Still Available. dark
The good news is Gutekunst has plenty of time left in the offseason to address the Packers’ primary needs. However, he needs to get going or Green Bay will find themselves picking from the bottom of the barrel.