5 Positions for Packers to address and top players available after NFL Draft
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers made 13 total selections in this year’s NFL Draft and then signed 12 undrafted rookies afterwards. However, as is the case for every NFL team, there are still positions on this roster that could be filled.
At each of the position groups discussed in this article, the common theme for them being on this list is the inexperience within each room. However, being realistic, the Packers aren’t going to be able to add to all five, and it’s possible that they may not even add to one of them.
Green Bay is still limited by the salary cap and has limited spending power. On top of that, while they still want to win games, they are also in a transition year. This may mean that the Packers value getting their young players experience in 2023 rather than adding a veteran who would take away some snaps.
As I already alluded to, if the Packers were to make an addition because of their salary cap situation, it’s a move that won’t break the bank–not to mention that there are limited options on the free agent market at this time of the year anyway.
Below I take a closer look at the five positions that could use a veteran addition, along with some of the top available options in free agency, using PFF’s top 200 list.
Lastly, I’ll just get out in front of this now: you’ll see that safety isn’t one of the positions I mentioned. It’s not because the Packers can’t upgrade the position but instead, because they have options on the roster, and some experience, whether that be in career snaps, time spent in Joe Barry’s defense, or both. Green Bay could still be looking to bring back Adrian Amos, but I recently wrote about why I don’t expect that to happen.
Wide Receiver
Current Roster: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Bo Melton, Samori Toure, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Jeff Cotton, Grant DuBose, Malik Heath, and Duece Watts
There is a lot of upside, potential, and playmaking abilities within this wide receiver room, but there is also a lot of inexperience. As of now, Romeo Doubs and his 529 NFL snaps are the most on the team.
Hopefully, we see Doubs and Christian Watson take steps forward in Year 2, but inevitably, there are going to be highs and lows for this entire group–likely somewhat similar to what we saw from Doubs and Watson in 2022 as rookies. A veteran presence would provide some added stability to the position for Jordan Love.
Remaining available free agents from PFF top 200 list:
Jarvis Landry
Julio Jones
Tight End
Current Roster: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Josiah Deguara, Austin Allen, Nick Guggemos, Tyler Davis, Camren McDonald, and Henry Pearson
The additions of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft will add two elements to the Packers’ offense that were missing in 2022: playmaking and unpredictability. Musgrave brings a vertical presence with his speed, while Kraft was very good with the ball in his hands. Brian Gutekunst expects both to be able to impact the run game as well as blockers. With players like Musgrave and Kraft, who can fill multiple roles and be moved around the formation, it helps open up the playbook for Matt LaFleur.
However, it’s been very rare over the last 20 years that rookie tight ends have made a significant impact. In fact, only three during that span have totaled more than 600 receiving yards. It’s a position that has one of the most difficult transitions from college to the NFL because of all the responsibilities that come with this role.
Again, similarly to receiver, a veteran in the locker room would provide some reliability as Kraft and Musgrave embark on a jump to the NFL that comes with a very steep learning curve.
Remaining available free agents from PFF top 200 list:
Marcedes Lewis (click here to read more on why a reunion makes so much sense)
Quarterback
Current Roster: Jordan Love, Danny Etling, and Sean Clifford
Following the draft, Gutekunst told us what the Packers’ approach at this position was going to be. Before they dive into the free agent market, Green Bay first wants to see how Etling and Clifford perform. As inexperienced quarterbacks at the NFL level, the Packers want to give them some snaps initially to see how they do before deciding which direction to go.
With Love being a first-year starter, there is a lot of value that a veteran backup can add, whether that be talking through things on the practice field, in the film room, or on the sidelines on Sundays.
A few remaining free agent options:
Carson Wentz
Matt Ryan
Teddy Bridgewater
Nick Foles
Interior Defensive Lineman
Current Roster: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Chris Slayton, Jonathan Ford, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, and Jason Lewan
I’m sure you’re sensing the theme of this article, which is inexperience. The interior defensive line is a position that often has four to five players on the roster who see regular playing time from week to week.
As the roster is currently constructed for the Packers, that means Green Bay will either be relying heavily on two Day 3 draft picks in Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks or Chris Slayton and Jonathan Ford, practice squad players from a season ago. There’s more talent in this room following the draft, but a lot of raw abilities as well.
Remaining available free agents from PFF top 200 list:
Matt Ioannidis
Akiem Hicks
Chris Wormley
Kicker
Current Roster: Parker White and Anders Carlson
White has bounced around the NFL and has no career field goal attempts. Carlson, meanwhile, was a sixth-round pick but had an inconsistent college career where he dealt with injuries. Ultimately, it was the Packers’ familiarity with Carlson (Rich Bisaccia coached his brother Daniel Carlson in Las Vegas) and Gutekunst’s confidence in Bisaccia that led to Green Bay making that pick.
My guess is that the Packers first see how each performs during OTAs before they decide whether or not to bring in a veteran kicker for training camp. Following the draft, Gutekunst wouldn’t close the door on a reunion with Mason Crosby.
A few remaining free agent options:
Mason Crosby
Ryan Succop
Robbie Gould
Brett Maher