3 biggest needs for Packers after free agency

The Green Bay Packers haven’t done much in free agency to address their needs, sitting idly in the free agent market outside their own players.

That was mostly expected, considering their limited financial abilities in free agency. However, it is a slight surprise they haven’t moved to sign a veteran wide receiver or tight end to bolster their depth chart (more on that later).

They’ve mostly focused on re-signing players at critical positions. They’ve brought back Dallin Leavitt, Rudy Ford, Keisean Nixon, Tyler Davis, Corey Ballentine and Eric Wilson. The only outside free agents they’ve signed are safety Tarvarius Moore and long snapper Matt Orzech.

With those additions in mind, let’s check in on the Packers’ greatest needs with the NFL Draft just a couple of weeks away.

Here are the three most significant needs that remain for the Green Bay Packers, with free agency mostly completed and the draft in the near future.

1. Tight End

Robert Tonyan signed with the Chicago Bears and Marcedes Lewis remains a free agent who is unlikely to re-sign with the Packers, considering the Aaron Rodgers’ situation. That leaves Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis…checks notes…Austin Allen and Nick Guggemos.

Deguara has more rapport with Jordan Love than he did with Rodgers, but that should only have a minimal impact. The former third-rounder hasn’t shown he’s ready to be anything close to a starting tight end in the NFL and is more of a fullback at this point. Davis has had some small flashes, but nothing sustainable.

The draft is heavy on quality tight ends in the top 100 picks, and the Packers should keep that in mind on draft day. There are several players they could select with their top pick, wasting their first-rounder. It’s absolutely a need they should address–they’d just be better off waiting until Day 2 to do so.

2. Safety

Despite the Packers rostering eight players who could play safety–Ford, Leavitt, Moore, Darnell Savage, Tariq Carpenter, Vernon Scott, Shemar Jean-Charles and James Wiggins–it’s absolutely a need for them. Quantity shouldn’t replace quality, and the Packers have no quality options for either safety spot at this point.

Savage will be one of the starters by default. He regressed last season and Green Bay should be petrified that he’s the one bringing stability to the position. Adrian Amos remains a free agent and it doesn’t seem like Green Bay has the ability to bring him back. They must add at least one quality prospect through the draft.

3. Wide Receiver

The only reason wide receiver isn’t higher on the list is due to the massive gaps at the other two positions. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs represent a possibility for a long-term one-two punch, but it’s still a possibility and long-term.

The Packers don’t have any veterans on their roster, something Matt Lafleur would like to see change. They also need to add more talent. It’s unlikely they enter Day 3 of the draft without grabbing at least one wide receiver.