Green Bay Packers: Ranking Positional Needs After Free Agency

The free agency frenzy has calmed down, so before the draft begins, here is a ranking of the Green Bay Packers’ positional needs.

Last season the Green Bay Packers finished the year 13-3 and made it to the NFC Championship game. Yet even with their success, just like every other team around the league, they have holes on their roster to fill before the 2020 season begins.

Of course, some of the first few positions that come to mind for many are receiver, linebacker, and tackle. However, there are certainly others that could be added to this list. And while they did a make a few outside additions via free agency, in my opinion, their overall needs still largely remain the same.

So with free agency now a few weeks old, I’ve put together my rankings of the Packers’ positional needs from the least important to the most important as we look ahead to the NFL Draft.

11. Quarterback

GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that the Green Bay Packers would consider drafting a quarterback early on this year and they have been hosting virtual visits with prospects such as Jordan Love. But with that said, they still have Aaron Rodgers under contract for likely three more seasons and possibly four. So drafting a quarterback is far from urgent.

10. Edge-Rusher

The Green Bay Packers lost Kyler Fackrell in free agency when he ended up signing with the New York Giants, so they could certainly use more depth here. However, with Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith on big contracts and wreaking havoc on a weekly basis, along with spending their 12th overall pick on Rashan Gary in 2019, I wouldn’t say that finding an edge rusher is a priority.

9. Tight End

Like the edge rusher position, the Packers could use more depth at tight end since they only have three viable options on the roster. With that said, Marcedes Lewis is a veteran known for his blocking and he should see plenty of playing time. Robert Tonyan has flashed in the passing game. And after spending a third-round pick on Jace Sternberger in 2019, it’s time to give him a much larger role this year.

Now, if Green Bay wants to sign another veteran on a cheap deal or spend a Day 3 pick on a tight end in the draft, I certainly understand. But rookie tight ends rarely produce during their first year, so I’d rather that they don’t spend a top-100 pick on the position. Which is a big reason why I have tight end at No. 9.

8. Safety

Once again the Green Bay Packers are in good shape at this position. After safety being a complete disaster in 2018, they were able to solidify the position last year with the additions of Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. This unit should also be even better this year with Raven Greene available.

However, it’s worth mentioning that under Mike Pettine Green Bay plays with three safeties on the field quite often, so adding another player to the mix should certainly be on the table. Not to mention that a reliable box safety will help negate some of the potential issues at linebacker.

7. Running back

This may seem like a position that should have been listed already given that the Packers do have Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, but both will be free agents after the 2020 season. On top of that, Tyler Ervin is only on a one year deal and who knows what they have in Dexter Williams.

While just before the combine it was reported that Green Bay is in talks with Jones’ representatives about a contract extension, there’s no guarantee that anything gets done or that he is brought back since he could potentially earn a big contract in free agency.

It’s hard to imagine that both Jones and Williams are back in 2021, so now is the time to start planning ahead.

6. Center

Just like with the running back position, the Green Bay Packers need to be planning ahead at center. Corey Linsley will also be a free agent in 2021 and joining him is the aforementioned Jones and Williams, along with David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, and Kevin King. Not all of those players will be re-signed, so just in case Linsley is one of those players who isn’t brought back, Green Bay needs a backup plan at center. That is unless they plan to roll with Lucas Patrick there in 2021.

5. Linebacker

Some may want this position listed closer to No. 1 but Pettine primarily plays with only one linebacker on the field and inside linebacker just isn’t a premier position in the NFL. Look at the Kansas City Chiefs, for example, they just won the Super Bowl with very average linebacker play.

While I do believe that they should add another linebacker to the mix this season through the draft, if they don’t end up with one in the first two or three rounds, it won’t be the end of the world. Especially with strong play from the box safety as well as better play from the interior defensive line which will help take some of the stress off of the linebacker position.

4. Cornerback

Perhaps what some might consider a surprise, I have the cornerback position at No. 4. There are just quite a few question marks surrounding this unit in 2020. We all know how good Jaire Alexander is, but after him there is uncertainty.

Kevin King had a breakout season in 2019 but he has battled injuries during his career and he is also a free agent after this year. Then there is Chandon Sullivan who played well during the second half of the season and he could take over as the team’s slot corner, but it remains to be seen if he can duplicate that performance in a larger role and for an entire season.

Meanwhile, Josh Jackson rarely saw the field and while Ka’dar Hollman has potential, we still don’t really know what the Packers have in him. Whether it be signing a veteran free agent or selecting a corner within the first four rounds, Green Bay shouldn’t neglect this position.

3. Interior Defensive Lineman

Although overall the Green Bay Packers’ defensive performance in 2019 was much improved, they still struggled to stop the run, particularly between the tackles. To put it simply, Kenny Clark needs help inside. The Packers would be better off having Dean Lowry as a third option, while Mantravius Adams hasn’t panned out and Tyler Lancaster has a low ceiling.

Truthfully, I’m a bit surprised that Green Bay didn’t sign anyone in free agency given that there weren’t many big contracts handed out. But since they didn’t, finding someone in the draft should certainly be on the to-do list. And as I already mentioned, with better IDL play there should be a positive trickle-down effect to the linebacker position.

2. Wide Receiver

Pretty much everyone who watched even a little Packers’ football in 2019 knows that the offense needs a more dynamic presence in the passing game. Geronimo Allison is now gone and it’s a bit of a risky move to go into the 2020 season relying heavily on Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. Not to mention that the newly acquired Devin Funchess is a bit of a wildcard as well.

It’s time to add some speed and playmaking ability to this offense at receiver as a strong passing attack coupled with Aaron Jones in the backfield will certainly be tough to stop.

1. Tackle

Bryan Bulaga is now gone and Rick Wagner will be taking his place. However, Wagner is only a short-term solution at right tackle and he is coming off a down season in which he only played in 12 games. Tackle is a premier position in the NFL and with a quarterback that will be 37-years-old this season that also likes to hang on to the football, it’s uber-important to have a reliable tackle. Early in the draft Green Bay needs to find their long-term answer at this position.