Updated March 17th, 2022
Until until recently, NFL free agency was a total snoozer for Packers fans. Aside from a few big moves in Charles Woodson and Julius Peppers, the Packers were notoriously silent during the month of March under long-time GM Ted Thompson.
Things have changed a bit since then. The Packers had quite the haul two years ago when current GM Brian Gutekunst paid up for the Smith brothers, safety Adrian Amos and O-lineman Billy Turner. But, salary cap pressure will soon force the Packers to move on from many of these special talents, leaving behind plenty of holes on the roster.
This offseason, Green Bay's front office will need to cultivate new talent through the draft or as bargain hunters in free agency. Before the blockbuster deals begin whizzing across our Twitter timelines, let's have a look at the positions on Green Bay's roster with the most notable gaps.
Subtle Gap: Cornerback
The Packers' have finally found their pair of lockdown corners in Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes -- but are still missing a long-term answer at the nickel / slot corner spot. And, despite the heavy demand for competent defensive backs in today's NFL, look for Gute to bring back stopgap-turned-ballhawk Rasul Douglas as a temporary solution for that role. It's unlikely that the Packers will retain veteran corner Kevin King, given both his one-dimensional skill set and trouble staying healthy over five seasons in Green Bay.
Even if they resign Douglas, the Packers still need a cheaper, raw version of him, which is best found on Days 2 or 3 of the draft or as an undrafted free agent; think early-career Tramon Williams or Sam Shields. Gutekunst won't be able to pay up for this type of contributor in free agency but surely needs to fill this role before the beginning of the 2022 season.
Names to Watch in Free Agency: Rasul Douglas (GB), Casey Hayward (LV)
Names to Watch in the Draft: Chase Lucas (Arizona State), Damarion Williams (Houston)
Moderate Gap: Inside Linebacker
Coming as a bit of a surprise, the Packers shelled out a monster $10M/year deal at a position that the Packers have historically de-prioritized. De'Vondre Campbell, who will turn 29 this summer, was brought back on a five-year deal that nets him $50M over that time frame.
The Packers shouldn't put all their eggs in the Campbell basket, though. They'll eventually need to pay running mate Krys Barnes and would generally benefit from added depth at the position. Right now, the Green Bay inside linebacker room consists of just two starting-caliber players and a bunch of players that truly only belong on special teams. Look for Gute to jump on a linebacker earlier than usual in this coming draft if one of the top talents are still on the board during the late second round.
Names to Watch in Free Agency: N/A
Names to Watch in the Draft: Devin Lloyd (Utah), Channing Tindall (Georgia), Christian Harris (Alabama)
Moderate Gap: Offensive Line
Thanks to pure wizardry from newly-appointed O-coordinator Adam Stenavich, the Packers' offensive line sparkled throughout the 2021 season despite facing new injuries virtually every week. And, with Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback, you can never have enough depth on the O-line. While the depth was surely there last season, the Packers may need to add bodies before kicking off the 2022 season.
The recovery timeline we witnessed for David Bakhtiari's torn ACL should terrify Packers fans, who can only hope that emerging star Elgton Jenkins undergoes a speedier process. Jenkins' unavailability for Week 1 will force the Packers to prioritize resigning IOL Lucas Patrick, who figures to occupy the starting guard spot opposite Jon Runyan in Jenkins' absence. At tackle, they have already cut ties with expensive veteran Billy Turner, which could mean second-year OL Royce Newman getting a shot to compete at his nature tackle position. It also probably means that the Packers will tender RFA Yosh Nijman to maintain some depth, while likely moving on from veteran Dennis Kelly.
With the availability of some of their most talented linemen in question, I expect Gutekunst to add talent along the O-line at some point in the draft. Since taking over as GM in 2018, he's selected at least one O-linemen in every single draft -- and that should continue with this year's deep class. The Packers' front office may also target a cheap but versatile linemen in free agency as extra insurance.
Names to Watch in Free Agency: Lucas Patrick (GB), Yosh Nijman (GB)
Names to Watch in the Draft: Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan), Sean Rhyan
Burning Gap: Wide Receiver
With Davante Adams shipped out to Vegas, the Packers' focus shifts to retaining other homegrown receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Up until Adams' trade, the writing seemed to be on the wall for MVS, who may be able to fetch eight-figure money from teams in need of an explosive, downfield threat. Unfortunately, the Packers still lack the cap space to dole out a monster, long-term deal for MVS, even if he's earned one.
The next option is looking outside Green Bay. With Christian Kirk and Allen Robinson both receiving sizable pay days over the past week, the Packers may have to be selective on which veteran wide out(s) they sign this month. Will Fuller and Jarvis Landry are two names to keep an eye on, should either drift into the later stages of free agency and come cheaper than expected.
Regardless of what happens with external free agents or retaining MVS, look for the Packers to find their long-term replacement for Adams in this year's loaded wide receiver class and fill vacant spots at the WR4 and WR5 spots with known special teams contributors via free agency or during Day 3 of the draft.
Names to Watch in Free Agency: Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB), Will Fuller (MIA), Jarvis Landry (CLE)
Names to Watch in the Draft: George Pickens (Georgia), Chris Olave (Ohio State), Danny Gray (SMU)
Burning Gap: Defensive Line
Like inside linebacker, defensive line has been historically neglected by the Packers' front office. As a result, most of the snaps consumed by players not named Kenny Clark on the D-line have gone to stopgaps Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster. Lancaster is now a free agent and Lowry's 2022 salary will make it difficult for the Packers to keep him in green and gold one more season.
Now without promising young DE Kingsley Keke, the Packers barely have enough bodies to field a starting lineup on the D-line. Amplifying the problem is Joe Barry's insistence that pressure on opposing quarterbacks can be generated organically by four rushers, without needing to blitz an extra linebacker or DB. If Lowry, in particular, is cut loose, Green Bay will be without a true 5-technique on the roster, leaning on nose tackles Clark and T.J. Slaton to generate pressure up front.
Assuming the Packers are committed to a 3-4 base defense, it's time that they invest in a true, 5-technique linemen during this coming draft, the way they attempted between 2012 and 2014 (Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Khyri Thornton). Alternatively, they may opt to add depth in free agency, given this year's unimpressive class of 3-4 defensive ends.
Names to Watch in Free Agency: Dean Lowry (GB), Carl Nassib (LV), Fletcher Cox (PHI)
Names to Watch in the Draft: DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M), Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)
Burning Gap: Tight End
Since Jared Cook's abbreviated stint in Green Bay during the 2016 season, tight end has been a revolving door for the organization. The Packers have role players in Marcedes Lewis (as an in-line blocker, should they decide to retain him this offseason) and H-backs Josiah Deguara and Dominique Dafney, but, with Robert Tonyan recovering from a torn ACL injury, currently lack a complete tight end on the roster.
With the injury suppressing his value in free agency, expect Tonyan to be back in Green Bay once fully healthy this fall. However, having quickly moved on from immediate bust Jace Sternberger, the Packers need new talent at tight end to begin the 2022 season.
While this year's draft class doesn't include a tight end deserving of a first-round selection, there are plenty of capable pass catchers that should come off the board in the mid rounds, which is where the Packers are accustomed to scooping up their tight ends (Jermichael Finley, Richard Rodgers, Sternberger, Deguara).
Names to Watch in Free Agency: Robert Tonyan (GB), Evan Engram (NYG), Hayden Hurst (ATL)
Names to Watch in the Draft: Greg Dulcich (UCLA), Jeremy Ruckert (Ohio State), Cole Turner (Nevada), Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)
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