Current Status of the Green Bay Packers 2022 Roster
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Defense
Defensive Line: Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, and Jack Heflin
As has been the case in many of the previous offseasons, the Green Bay Packers need to add more depth to their interior defensive line unit. Although I will say this group did perform better and gave Kenny Clark more consistent help in 2021–but there is certainly still room for improvement.
Linebacker: Ty Summers, Isaiah McDuffie, and Ray Wilborn
The linebacker position is a massive need at the moment. With Krys Barnes being an exclusive rights free agent, it’s almost a certainty that he will be back. But even if that’s the case, this is still a position that must be addressed. Will Green Bay try to re-sign De’Vondre Campbell? And if not, will his level of play change how the organization views the position? As we all know, linebacker is not a position that the Packers have typically invested cap dollars or draft picks into.
Edge: Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Jonathan Garvin, La’Darius Hamilton, Tipa Galeai
On paper, this position appears to be set, but that’s only on paper. It sure seems like Za’Darius Smith won’t be back, and Preston Smith could end up a cap casualty as well. If both are gone, edge rusher is without a doubt the biggest need that must get addressed this offseason. Even if Preston Smith is back, it’s still a position that should be high on the priority list. Tipa Galeai and Jonathan Garvin are still just rotational players at best.
Cornerback: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stoks, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento, and Kiondre Thomas
The Green Bay Packers are in need of a slot corner, which perhaps is a role that Shemar Jean-Charles could slide into if he’s ready, otherwise, a reunion with Chandon Sullivan does make sense. With Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, this position is in good shape, but Green Bay is in desperate need of some reliable depth–we all saw last season just how important that can be. With Rasul Douglas’ play this past season, has he become too expensive for Green Bay to retain?
Safety: Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Innis Gaines, and Shawn Davis
Henry Black is an exclusive rights free agent and was the primary third safety last season–I do expect him to return. However, that doesn’t mean that Green Bay can’t try to upgrade that third safety position as Black had his ups and downs last season, particularly in coverage. Innis Gaines and Shawn Davis could end up being core special teams contributors, while we saw very little of the versatile Vernon Scott last season.
Specialists: Mason Crosby, JJ Molson, and Steven Wirtel
Obviously, the Green Bay Packers are in need of a punter. On top of that, the team could choose to move on from Mason Crosby for the cap savings that come with doing so. JJ Molson has been on the practice squad for about a year and a half–there is clearly something about him that the Packers like. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to look into another long-snapper either.