Reevaluating Packers Positions of Need After Early Free Agency

The first wave of free agency has come and passed for the Green Bay Packers, and while there are still plenty of free agents still available, things have slowed down considerably over the last few days.

Green Bay is yet to make an outside addition, but they have been busy. Aaron Rodgers would return and sign his extension, while Billy Turner and Za’Darius Smith were cap casualties. The Packers clearly prioritized re-signing De’Vondre Campbell, and by trading Davante Adams, $20.1 million in cap space was freed up, which allowed them to also re-sign Rasul Douglas and Robert Tonyan.

Prior to free agency beginning, I went through this same exercise and — in no particular order — had cornerback, edge rusher, receiver, linebacker, tight end, and interior defensive lineman as the big needs to tackle this offseason.

However, with Tonyan, Douglas, and Campbell back in the mix, things have changed–although that doesn’t mean that tight end, linebacker, or cornerback won’t be addressed in the draft yet, odds are they will be at some point. But in terms of the big needs to currently fill, I have a new top-5 for the Green Bay Packers to address moving forward.

Please note, these positions are in no particular order

Green Bay Packers Position of Need: Wide Receiver

While the need at tight end, linebacker, and cornerback has decreased, at the receiver position, it has actually increased. With Adams no longer on the roster, the Packers receiver room is made up of Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, Malik Taylor, Chris Blair, Juwann Winfree, and Rico Gafford–and at this point, Cobb, Lazard, and Rodgers are the only ones that we know will be on the Week 1 roster.

In addition to just needing to bolster the level of depth at this position, specifically, the Packers also need a true deep threat as well as, along with someone who can be that No. 1 target, and it wouldn’t hurt to add some YAC ability to this room either–especially without knowing how Rodgers is going to develop or what his role will be in Year 2.

While I am not expecting any sort of game-changer to be added in free agency, having a veteran presence can help provide needed stability and someone to lean on early in the season. On top of that, adding a receiver, or even two, early on in the draft should be a must as well. Although receiver is certainly a huge need in 2022, the only receiver under contract in 2023 at the moment is Rodgers, so the need goes well beyond just this season.