GOOD NEWS:The Green Bay Packers’ Top Five Needs in
There is no more Green Bay Packers football. While they work to assemble a Super Bowl contender, there is no time for relaxation. These are their top three needs heading into the 2024 summer break.
GREEN BAY Was
The season is ended for the Green Bay Packers.
They lost against the San Francisco 49ers, just as Bill Murray used to say in Groundhog’s Day.
Once more.
Unlike the other four games Aaron Rodgers has led, this one is a defeat. Every playoff setback for Rodgers seemed to be the last one before it expired.
The Packers feel as if they are only beginning their ascent to more glory, especially in light of Jordan Love’s rise and their status as the NFL’s youngest team.
The roster arrangement is decent but not ideal. There are flaws that are readily apparent right now, and more will become apparent as Green Bay’s cap casualties and free agency take their toll.
Here is our first assessment of the team’s top five needs, along with a possible draft pick and free agent replacement at each position.
Jaire Alexander had a fantastic conclusion to the 2023 season, but his journey there was, to put it mildly, unusual.
In addition to serving a ban for actions that were harmful to the club, he lost time due to two different ailments.
Eric Stokes has two stints on injured reserve after his 2022 recovery from a horrific injury he sustained in Detroit.
He is their source of bonuses, whatever else they may get.
Carrington Valentine, who had ups and downs over the year, rounds out the room.
Both Corey Ballentine and Keisean Nixon are available as free agents. It’s likely that the Packers need players in the nickel and boundary positions.
Michigan CB Mike Sainristil is a draft prospect.
Before the 2022 season, the outstanding wide receiver converted to cornerback, making him one of the top defensive players in college football.
Sainristil is unlikely to reach Green Bay’s ideal criteria, but because playing in the slot is the expectation, maybe they would be open to bending those rules.
Sainristil has an excellent sense of football and is a brave run defender. During his last season at Ann Arbour, Sainristil recorded six interceptions. He can smell the end zone whenever he gets his hands on the ball. He has six interceptions, two of which were recovered for touchdowns.
Kendall Fuller, free agent
As a playmaker, Fuller might address one of the most pressing issues in Green Bay’s secondary. He has had a strong start to his career. Fuller, who has 48 career interceptions, has an excellent sense of football.
A season before, he had only two, but that would have matched him with Rudy Ford for the club lead.
Fuller would be a huge boost as the other boundary corner opposite Jaire Alexander if the Packers can convince themselves that it is worth the money.
Security
Entering the offseason, the team’s weakest group may be the safety position. Anthony Johnson Jr. is the only player they have a contract with until 2024.
Coming into training camp, we had rated the position as the 11th out of 11, and this group lived up to that ranking.
As he has been throughout the whole of his time with the Packers, Darnell Savage was erratic and was in and out of the lineup due to injuries.
Journeymen or special teams players who were perhaps overexposed on defence make up the bulk of the group.
Prospect for the Draft: Cooper DeJean, CB/S Iowa
Lukas Van Ness, selected by Iowa as the 13th overall choice, was the Packers’ first-round selection from the previous season.
With defensive back Cooper DeJean, another Iowa product, they might return to the well.
DeJean is a versatile player who can play in the slot or deep. Five years ago, when they selected Darnell Savage in the first round, they loved something about him.
With Jayden Reed emerging as their main offensive weapon and Keisean Nixon expected to become a free agency, DeJean may also help in the return game, which is something they might need.
Xavier McKinney S, free agent; New York Giants
Regardless matter who coaches defence for Green Bay, McKinney is a desirable player.
If they want to replace Joe Barry, Don “Wink” Martindale, who coached McKinney in New York, is one possible contender.
The Packers need more from their safety corps, particularly with Jonathan Owens, Darnell Savage, and Rudy Ford ready to become free agents. McKinney would not be cheap.
Linebacker on the outside
Yes, last year the Packers selected this player with their first-round choice. Indeed, they extended Rashan Gary’s contract throughout the playing season.
Yes, Preston Smith had yet another strong campaign.
Indeed, an excessive number of pass rushers does not exist.
The Packers need extra assistance on the edge since Kingsley Enagbare is dealing from an ailment that may impact his availability to start 2024.
Prospect for the Draft: Laiatu Latu EDGE UCLA
Latu is an intriguing talent, and Green Bay would likely need to choose him with their first-round choice.
Latu is 6’5 and 265 pounds, which is about the weight and height that Gutekunst has always favoured in his pass rushers.
As a rookie, he may play in a rotation alongside Van Ness, Gary, and Smith before replacing Smith on a full-time basis in 2025.
Derek Barnett, EDGE Houston, free agent
Finding a deal in free agency is the goal here. It is doubtful that any free-agent addition will start with Gary, Van Ness, and Preston Smith in tow.
While Derek Barnett struggled to establish himself in Philadelphia, he enjoyed a successful run with DeMeco Ryans in Houston.
Being a previous first-round choice, Barnett appeals to Brian Gutekunst, one of the league’s biggest draft pedigree enthusiasts.
In an attempt to have a successful season in Green Bay and cash in a year later, Barnett could choose a short-term contract.
sprinting back
Something will probably need to change with Aaron Jones’s contract. Uncertainty surrounds AJ Dillon’s position as a free agent. This year, Emanuel Wilson and Patrick Taylor also served time.
When Jones is not in the starting lineup, it is noticeable. Throughout his career, the Packers have also preferred to restrict his use to keep him fresh.
The Packers need another back with Jones’ ability to stretch a defence since he is nearing the end of his useful life.
Oregon RB Bucky Irving is a draft prospect.
Since Tony Fisher used to prowl the backfield for the Packers, Irving would be the team’s third-down pass-catching back.
Irving is a little man, but he packs a punch. Throughout his three years at Oregon, he collected over 800 yards of receptions, including 56 for the Ducks in 2023.
When Aaron Jones is not in the starting lineup, there is a noticeable lack of that explosiveness. The running back corps for the Packers needs to produce more plays.
No free agent
Aaron Jones is the free agency “acquisition” the Packers so need at running back. To remain in Green Bay the next year, he accepted a wage decrease. This year, they’ll probably need to make another change to his contract.
He’s their greatest player and ought to remain in Green Bay come next season, no matter what happens.
Prospect for the Offensive Line Draft: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
Within the group that took home the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s top offensive line, Fautanu was the best offensive lineman. Washington rode that bunch to the national title game as well.
Almost every characteristic that the Packers look for in an offensive tackle is there in Fautanu. As an offensive lineman, he has guarded the blind side of the quarterback while also being able to kick inside to cover.
The Packers may use Fautanu at either tackle position or find a slot for him inside.
In any case, Brian Gutekunst has prioritised skill and depth on the offensive line.
Dalton Risner, G, Minnesota, is a free agent.
How often do we see a prospective free agent from the Packers sign in Minnesota? Over the last 20 years, the Vikings have acquired a number of former Packers, from Ryan Longwell to Dean Lowry.
With Dalton Risner, the Packers may be able to reverse that trend. In a pinch, Risner can play tackle in addition to moving down the inside. He would start over Sean Rhayn at guard and be at least an improvement over Royce Newman.
There are more possibilities for the Packers at offensive tackle than on the inside. Risner could be a better choice there.
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