With the NFL Draft a week away it is clear to everybody that the Green Bay Packers biggest need is at wide receiver. Both Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be elsewhere in 2022 and even after the signing of Sammy Watkins, they will need to add multiple players at the wide receiver position.
But what the team’s biggest needs after wide receiver? While the Packers have solid starters at nearly every position, there are several areas that the team clearly needs to fortify in this year’s draft.
Here is a look at the top five areas of need the Packers have entering the 2022 NFL Draft besides wide receiver. The rankings are based on a combination of short-term and long-term needs and the importance the Packers tend to place on each position.
Edge
The Packers are set here with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary as the starters, but if either of these players were to miss significant time, the depth at this position is lacking. Neither Jonathan Garvin nor Tipa Galeai have proven they can provide consistent pressure off the edge.
Harrying opposing quarterbacks is a key to winning in the NFL and the Green Bay defense needs to add some depth at this position. It’s vital to keep edge rushers fresh and to rotate then in and out of the game. For example, Preston Smith and Gary each played 68 percent of the Packers defensive snaps last season. If the Packers had a third player who could provide consistent pass rush, they could keep all three fresh and maximize their effectiveness.
With Preston Smith turning 30 later this season and Gary only under contract through 2022 (although the Packers hold a fifth-year option), developing somebody who can step into the starting lineup in a year or two is critical.
Ask any NFL head coach or GM and they’ll tell you they can never have enough pass rushers. The Packers need to add some more.
Offensive Line
The Packers released last year’s starting right tackle, Billy Turner and center/guard Lucas Patrick left via free agency. That leaves the Packers needing depth along the offensive line. Last season, so many linemen went down with injuries at various times and that only underscores the need for more quality players at this position.
There is also uncertainty here. David Bakhtiari played only one half of one game all season after coming off a serious knee injury. Elgton Jenkins also injured his knee in November and may not be ready to start the season on time.
If everybody’s healthy, this is a solid unit but the Packers will spend some draft capital here to add depth and possibly some players who could start in 2023 or beyond with Bakhtiari on the wrong side of 30 and Jenkins only under contract for one more season.
Safety
The Packers are set with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage giving them two quality starters, but after that there are more questions than answers.
Henry Black, last year’s third safety was not given a qualifying offer. That leaves Vernon Scott, Shawn Davis and Innis Gaines as the backups.
Amos may become a free agent after 2022 and Savage is entering the final year of his rookie contract as well. The Packers may exercise a fifth-year option on Savage, but still, there are questions at the position beyond 2022 and a need to upgrade depth here for the coming season.
Look for GM Brian Gutekunst to add a safety in this year’s draft, possibly on day two.
Tight End
The tight end position seems set for this year but again, there are questions after that. Robert Tonyan is coming off a season-ending knee injury and is on a one-year, prove-it contract. Can he recapture the level of play he showed in 2020 if he’s healthy? He is the only tight end on the roster who has shown the ability to stretch the field consistently.
Marcedes Lewis is the team’s best blocking tight end and a leader in the locker room, but “Big Dog” will be 38 by the time this season gets under way and may retire after the 2022 campaign.
Josiah Deguara may still develop but seems more like an H-back, blocker and possession receiver than a downfield threat. He is valuable but has yet to prove he’s ready to be the number one guy at the position.
So far, Dominique Dafney and Tyler Davis has proven to be good blockers and special teams players but are not proven starters.
Head coach Matt LaFleur likes to use his tight ends in a variety of different roles in the offense and the Packers will need to make sure they have more talent here for 2023.
The Packers will look to draft a tight end of the future this year, probably in the middle rounds of the draft.
Defensive Line
The Packers have rarely prioritized interior defensive linemen but they have indicated they want someone to compliment Kenny Clark and penetrate on runs and get some more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Jarran Reed adds experience and depth but he’s on a one-year deal. T.J. Slaton could take another step forward but the Packers view him as more of a run stuffer than someone who can collapse the pocket consistently.
Dean Lowry is a hard worker but also stronger against the run than at rushing the passer.
An upgrade here could help the defense improve its run defense and pass rush and take the defense to another level if Gutekunst is willing to devote the resources to improving this area.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers