3 positions the Green Bay Packers could address on the waiver wire
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers’ initial 53-man roster may be set, but that doesn’t mean that GM Brian Gutekunst is done tinkering just yet.
Around the NFL on Tuesday, hundreds of players were released and hit the waiver wire. Teams are now able to put in claims on those players, and if they are awarded a specific player — this is dependent upon where the team falls on the waiver wire, which is based on their 2021 record, and whether any teams ahead of them put in a claim on the same player — he must then be added to the 53-man roster.
For what it’s worth, the Packers didn’t claim any players last summer–although that doesn’t mean they didn’t try. Perhaps they put in a claim, but a team with a higher priority on the waiver wire may have as well. This is something we will likely never know the answer to.
In terms of starters, the Packers still have a very well-put-together team, even with some of the questions that they have on offense. However, depth at a number of positions is still a bit of a concern and could potentially be addressed over the next day on the waiver wire.
Now that rosters are set, here is a closer look at three position groups that Brian Gutekunst and Co. should consider addressing.
Position the Green Bay Packers could address on the waiver wire: Edge rusher
Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in football, and it’s one where the Green Bay Packers’ lack of proven depth behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith could become a problem with how heavily rotated the position is throughout the course of a game.
Kingsley Enagbare led the defense in pressures this preseason, according to PFF ($$), but as a fifth-round rookie who may see his fair share of playing time, we should expect ups and downs–particularly against the run. Enagbare is much better at getting after the quarterback.
Jonathan Garvin had a relatively quiet summer, while Tipa Galeai had flashes but battled inconsistency–not to mention that he missed some time due to injuries as well.
The edge depth was one of the bigger question marks coming into training camp, and nothing we saw over the last month has really quelled those concerns.
Last season, the impact plays were missing when Gary and Smith weren’t on the field — and oftentimes, they were replaced by Garvin and Galeai — which is why the Packers brought in Whitney Mercilus. Given the unknowns at this position, where the third and fourth edge rushers could see around 20 snaps per game each, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Green Bay take a similar approach by bringing in someone new.