The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner. And it always brings discussions about needs and value balance, overall process, and what each team wants to accomplish.
For the Green Bay Packers, it's an important draft. Since Jordan Love barely played in his rookie contract, adding cheap players around him is the best path to build a strong roster. And that's why Brian Gutekunst was active to accumulate picks — the Packers will have 11 this year, including two acquired in player trades and three compensatory selections.
Below, let's discuss what will be Green Bay's main priorities over the next few days.
1) Offensive line depth/ceiling
In 2022, the Packers signed Sammy Watkins two weeks ahead of the draft. They still drafted Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure. The addition of Andre Dillard doesn't change their plans whatsoever, and getting two or even three offensive linemen in the draft is still a priority.
At this point, the Packers have only two top-level starters: Zach Tom and Elgton Jenkins. Rasheed Walker is also a good player, but Josh Myers is underwhelming and Sean Rhyan hasn't played at a very high level.
The backup tackles are Dillard, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Kadeem Telfort. Unless Dillard is also a guard option, the only backup interior offensive lineman is Royce Newman.
Ideally, the Packers would look for a long-term starting left tackle, which would allow them to keep Rasheed Walker as a high-end swing tackle. The team also needs to add more depth pieces, with some potential to develop into starters at center and right guard.
2) Capable bodies at linebacker
Right now, the starting linebackers for the Packers are Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. If they want to play a base 4-3 defense, the third off-ball option is probably Eric Wilson. That's obviously less than ideal.
The problem is that this draft class is not great at the position. It wouldn't be smart to overdraft someone just to fill a need, and the best prospect (Edgerrin Cooper) is actually too similar to Walker, which would still left a need at middle linebacker.
However, recent history says linebacker is a difficult position for the NFL to identify talent. That might create positive volatility for the Packers, so maybe adding two mid- to late-round picks allows them to develop one into a positive starter eventually.
3) Defensive back options
The Packers had a promising trio of cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes. They barely played together. Now Douglas is gone and Stokes is fighting to get healthy. Meanwhile, Alexander is approaching a dangerous phase of a cornerback career. At safety, Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford are not on the roster anymore — even though Ford is still available.
Either way, the Packers need more options for the secondary, and that's why Cooper DeJean would make so much sense. His ceiling is as a top boundary corner, but it feels like even his floor, a starting-level box safety, fits what the Packers want.
4) Edge rotation
Overall, the Packers are in a comfortable situation with their edge defenders because they have Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Lukas Van Ness is going into his second season expecting a bigger role.
However, Kingsley Enagbare tore his ACL in January, so he will most likely miss a significant part of the season. Green Bay usually likes to rotate four pass rushers, so the last spot is up for grabs.
At the moment, the roster has Brenton Cox Jr., Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre, Deandre Johnson, and International Pathway Program player Kenneth Odumegwu, who doesn't count against the 90-man roster limit. Another edge piece to fight for a roster spot is a realistic outcome.
5) Offensive weaponry
Wide receiver surplus value is always a tempting proposition, so Brian Gutekunst could very well keep his trend even though the room is at a good place.
Adding more weapons for Jordan Love is also an option at running back. The team signed Josh Jacobs, plus re-signed AJ Dillon and Emanuel Wilson, but a long-term back to replace Aaron Jones as an outside the tackles runner is a solid idea.
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