As the days are inching closer to the beginning of the Packers free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers should be looking ahead in preparation for the regular season in September. Until those dates arrive, the team will need to have an idea as to what areas of the team need the most improvement and the most depth going into the season. There are three major positions that the Packers need to upgrade to truly compete for a fifth Super Bowl title in 2026.
The Packers Free Agency and Draft Is A Failure If They Do Not Address These 3 Positions
#1 – Wide Receiver
The Packers are notorious for ignoring the advancement of the wide receiver position, especially in the first round of the NFL Draft. Green Bay has not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since drafting Javon Walker in 2002 and has instead stuck to the second round for receiver talent.
Green Bay has drafted a receiver in the second round ten times in their history. Among this bunch includes Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson, making for a 60% success rate.
With Watson planning to make a return late in the regular season, the Packers will be without their tall, lengthy deep threat that can open the field for other receivers to get open on short routes. Dontayvion Wicks had nine drops on the season to crack the top ten among pass catchers and was wildly inconsistent when targeted. Doubs, although reliable on the field, had his struggles staying on the field, making availability a concern.
Green Bay will be making Reed and Tucker Kraft the focal point of their passing offense next season and unless both players make tremendous strides, the pass game is still a pressure point of this offense. Elic Ayomanor, Matthew Golden, and Tre Harris may be good second-round options for the Packers. Don’t look for Gutekunst to turn his head to the big name free agents.
#2 – Cornerback
Historically, the Packers free agency is not where they typically look when trying to develop their team. Yet, they have tested the waters more and more over the last few years. Success has come from that, especially with the addition of Xavier McKinney in their secondary.
It may be a good idea for the Packers to look to free agency for finding a replacement for Jaire Alexander, who will probably be in a new uniform next season. Even if he ends up staying, Eric Stokes, who has yet to record a pass breakup, will more than likely be playing elsewhere.
Star players like D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, or even Rasul Douglas would all be excellent signings if Gutekunst looks to increase the firepower on defense and acheive a well-rounded secondary.
#3 – Edge Rusher
Yes, Rashan Gary was a Pro Bowl selection and had a pretty good year despite the high expectations Packers fans have for him. But the core around Gary has been a lackluster bunch aside from Edgerrin Cooper, who mainly plays off-ball and does not primarily rush the passer.
It was evident against the Eagles in the Wild Card round as it seemed that Jalen Hurts had all the time in the world to find open receivers and keep drives alive. In moments when teams are in scoring position, the Packers are going to need someone to get to the quarterback in less than 6.75 seconds from the snap.
Jalen Hurts dropped back for 6.75 seconds on his 11-yard TD pass to Jahan Dotson, the longest time to throw on a TD pass from a clean pocket this season.
No Packers pass rusher got within 2.5 yards of Hurts at any point in the dropback. https://t.co/rk1wn2Tku3
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 12, 2025
Moving Cooper to the edge to improve the pass rush would be risky business and would hinder the overall pass coverage and contain. He had a fantastic year in the role he embodied and the staff will be reluctant to put him anywhere else. Mike Green from Marshall would be a great target for the Packers to pursue in the draft if they decide not to try their hand at some of the big names at the position in free agency.
Main Photo: Darren Yamashita – Imagn Images
The post The Packers Can’t Go Into Next Season Without Addressing These Three Positions appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.