Reevaluating Packers Positions of Need After Early Free Agency
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Position of Need: Offensive Tackle
It may have come as a bit of a surprise, but as we had discussed in my Cut or Keep & Prediction series, moving on from Billy Turner was always a possibility. In the process, the Packers saved about $3.4 million in needed cap space.
Current on the roster options to take over at right tackle include Yosh Nijman, who proved that he can be a capable starter in the NFL — with some help — and Elgton Jenkins when he returns from injury.
With David Bakhtiari healthy, Jenkins able to play at a high level wherever he lines up, and Nijman as a potential swing tackle, Green Bay appears to be set up well at the offensive tackle position. However, we don’t know when exactly Jenkins will be back, and Nijman hasn’t played right tackle since his senior year at Virginia Tech–and moving from one side to the other isn’t always a seamless transition. On top of that, we all saw last year how important tackle depth can be.
In order to build their current depth as well as bolster the position for future years, Green Bay could turn to the draft with one of their seven picks in the first four rounds, or if that doesn’t work out, or they need more immediate help, the Packers could look for a Dennis Kelly/Rick Wagner type of addition over the summer.