5 Biggest Positions of Need for Green Bay Packers Prior to Free Agency
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Position of Need: Wide Receiver
I imagine that many, especially draft analysts, have wide receiver as a position of need for the Green Bay Packers every year. Typically, that is a bit blown out of proportion, but given the current state of the wide receiver position, it is a major need as of right now.
The only receivers under contract currently are Amari Rodgers, Randall Cobb — who could end up being cut in favor of $6.7 million worth of cap savings — Chris Blair, Juwann Winfree, and Rico Gafford. Excluding Cobb, the remaining receivers have just 21 combined targets–eight for Rodgers and 13 for Winfree.
As I mentioned at the beginning, free agency can drastically change how these positions are viewed heading into the draft as well as training camp, and that rings very true at this position for the Green Bay Packers. If some combination of Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, or Marquez Valdes-Scantling returns, the outlook of this position changes greatly–although Green Bay should still consider adding to it even if that is the case.
If Valdes-Scantling doesn’t return, then not only will Green Bay need to add to the receiver position, but finding a true deep threat will be a must. That skill-set is a key element for the Matt LaFleur offense–on top of the obvious big-play abilities, the downfield presence opens up the passing game for everyone else as well.