Ranking Green Bay Packers Positions of Need Prior to Draft
By Paul Bretl
3. Offensive Tackle
Just like with the interior offensive line, the tackle position isn’t as deep as it has been the last two seasons. Some positive news is that David Bakhtiari will be back at left tackle, but we then run into some question marks.
Yosh Nijman is the likely right tackle given how the roster is currently constructed, and although he held his own last season — along with some assistance — he hasn’t played right tackle since his senior season at Virginia Tech, and while we can question the move, it is telling that the coaching staff chose Billy Turner over him at left tackle in the playoffs.
The outlook of this unit does improve when Jenkins returns and Nijman then becomes the swing tackle. However, until that point, the other on the roster options are minimal, and having competition for Nijman this summer would be ideal—not to mention that if Nijman or an outside addition can provide a steady presence at right tackle, it would give the Packers the opportunity to keep Jenkins at guard, thus bolstering the interior depth as well.
As I wrote recently, the depth of this position can change quickly if the Packers use one of their seven picks within the first four rounds on an offensive tackle while also adding a Dennis Kelly-like veteran in free agency, but until then, Green Bay is thin at a key position.
2. Edge Rusher
Edge rusher may not seem like a need with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, two of the most productive edge rushers in football last season, but this is one of the more heavily rotated positions in football and when those two weren’t on the field, there was a noticeable lack of production and issues against the run.
Jonathan Garvin was the lowest graded defensive player through Week 18 last season by Packer Report’s Andy Herman, while Tipa Galeai ranked 131st in PFF’s pass-rush efficiency metric. Other on the roster options include La’Darius Hamilton, who has minimal experience, and Randy Ramsey, who missed the entire 2021 season.
New OLB coach Jason Rebrovich mentioned last week that he wanted a rotation of four edge rushers, and those third and fourth spots are certainly up for grabs. With this being one of the most important positions in football along with it being heavily rotated as well, don’t be surprised to see Green Bay select an edge rusher in Round 1—in fact, I almost expect it.
1 Wide Receiver
Obviously, this is the biggest need—we all know that. Even with the addition of Sammy Watkins, how Green Bay approaches the draft shouldn’t change. The need at receiver only gets worse in the coming years as well.
What I will say is that when it comes to specific needs at the position — we know the overall depth has to be improved — is that the Packers have to add a go-to option on the boundary, a vertical threat, and some more YAC. It really feels like this has to be the year they add a receiver in the first round.