Despite finishing 13-3 and making the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season, the Packers are still seemingly a player or two away from getting over the hump and reaching The Super Bowl. With the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft taking place tonight, let’s take a look at the Packers roster and see if they can find that impact player.
Quarterback: The Packers shocked the NFL by trading up to select a quarterback, Utah State’s Jordan Love, in the first round of last year’s draft. Aaron Rodgers responded by putting together arguably his best season yet and winning his third NFL MVP award, while Love didn’t suit up once during his rookie campaign. With the departure of long-time back-up Tim Boyle this offseason, the back-up spot is Love’s to lose, but the Packers still have to decide on whether to keep Love and continue with their plan of having him succeed Rodgers in a couple years, or possibly move him to a quarterback-needy team in the middle of the first round like New England or Washington if they want to commit to Rodgers. Either way, I don’t see the Packers selecting a quarterback in this year’s draft, and if they do, it’ll be a developmental arm in the later rounds of the draft, such as Arkansas’ Felipe Franks or Mississippi State’s K.J. Costello.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Running Back: Being a disciple of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur likes to carry three to four running backs on the roster at a time to keep legs fresh and give the opposing defense different looks out of the backfield. Aaron Jones is still one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the league and just signed a large contract extension with the team and A.J. Dillon looked like the powerful runner we expected him to be in his limited role during his rookie campaign. However, do-it-all sparkplug Jamaal Williams and rotational back Tyler Ervin have both departed in the offseason, freeing up some spots in the running back room. Like with the Quarterbacks, if the Packers decide to select a running back this year, it won’t be until the later rounds, with guys like Virginia Tech’s Khalil Herbert, Michigan’s Chris Evans, and Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill all names to look out for.
Pre-Draft Need: Moderate
Fullback: The Packers are one of the few teams in the league that still utilizes the fullback in their offense. In 2020, the Packers selected tight end/fullback hybrid Josiah Deguara out of Cincinnati in the third round with hopes that he could fill the role, but he struggled early in the season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5. Deguara was replaced by John Lovett, who similarly struggled before also suffering an ACL tear during a November practice. Finally, the Packers settled on Dominique Dafney, who performed well in the final seven games of the season as both a blocker and a receiver. The Packers will go into next season with both Deguara and Dafney on the roster, making the selection of a fullback in the draft unlikely.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Wide Receiver: Packer fans were clamoring for a wide receiver during last year’s draft, but the Packers declined to select one in what was considered by some to be one of, if not the deepest, wide receiver class in NFL history. The Packers felt comfortable with their wide receiver group going into the year, but it was evident at season’s end that a young, elite talent could be exactly what the Packers offense needs to take the next step. Davante Adams solidified himself as a top five receiver in the league, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard, while solid complementary pieces, aren’t what you’re looking for in a true number two receiver. Luckily for Green Bay, this year’s receiver class stacks up just as well with last years, as the Packers could find an impact receiver anywhere from the first to the fourth round. Guys like Kadarius Toney, Elijah Moore, Dyami Brown, and Amari Rodgers are just a few players that could make an instant impact for the Packers in 2021.
Pre-Draft Need: High
Tight End: The Packers were able to get consistent production out of their tight end group throughout the past season, and barring any injuries, this should continue into next year. Robert Tonyan had a breakout season, leading all tight ends in touchdown receptions, and Marcedes Lewis is a great run blocker, a solid receiving threat and a vocal leader in the locker room. The only question mark is with third-string tight end Jace Sternberger. The team had high hopes for Sternberger going into 2020, but he didn’t quite live up to those expectations and settled into the third tight end role. I expect Tonyan, Lewis and Sternberger to be the three primary tight ends heading into next season, with the aforementioned Josiah Deguara and Dominique Dafney also seeing some action at the position.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Offensive Tackle: Offensive tackle is a question mark for the Packers for the first time in years. Left tackle David Bakhtiari, considered by many to be the best at his position in the league, tore his ACL just weeks before the playoffs began and likely won’t be ready for the start of the regular season, and starting right tackle Rick Wagner was released at season’s end. Billy Turner is a versatile veteran tackle, but is best suited for a rotational role where he can slot in across the offensive line wherever necessary. However, just like with the wide receivers, this year’s offensive tackle group is as deep as we’ve seen in recent draft history, with potential starters available anywhere from the first to the third rounds. Standouts that should be within the Packers’ range include Teven Jenkins, Samuel Cosmi and Liam Eichenberg among others.
Pre-Draft Need: High
Offensive Guard/Center: All-Pro center Corey Linsley and veteran starting guard Lane Taylor both departed in free agency this offseason, but the Packers are in a good position to replace them both with options they already have on the roster and through the draft if necessary. Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins and backup guard Lucas Patrick both took snaps at center after Linsley missed time with an injury this past season and played well, so either of them could take over the role for this upcoming season. Jon Runyan Jr. performed well in his rookie campaign and should compete for a starting guard spot this season, and veteran Billy Turner has flexed to the inside in the past as well. If the Packers want to upgrade through the draft, there are plenty of options, like guards Wyatt Davis, Jalen Mayfield, and Aaron Banks, or centers Creed Humphrey and Quinn Meinerz.
Pre-Draft Need: Moderate
Defensive Line: The Packers’ defensive line and linebackers have long been the weak point of the defense, with games like the 2019 NFC Championship Game against San Francisco exposing the team’s pitiful run defense. Kenny Clark is the highest paid nose tackle in NFL history, and is worth every penny, and Kingsley Keke showed some promise in his second year in the league, but the rest of the defensive line unit leaves a lot to be desired. Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore and Washington defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike would both be instant upgrades to the defensive line, but they might not be there at pick no. 29. A trade up to select one of these players might be necessary.
Pre-Draft Need: High
Edge Rusher: This might be the first draft since 2012 that didn’t feature a premier edge rusher at the top of the draft. Fortunately, the Packers are set long term at the position. Former first round pick Rashan Gary was excellent towards the end of the season and seems to be close to unlocking the All-Pro potential that he was drafted for. Speaking of All-Pros, Za’Darius Smith was named to the 2020 All-Pro Second Team after recording double digit sacks for the second year in a row. Preston Smith struggled to match his 2019 production, but was still a serviceable pass rusher and run defender throughout the season. If the Packers draft an edge rusher, it would be a later round developmental selection.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Linebacker: As previously stated, the linebacking core for the Packers has been abysmal the past few seasons and has been responsible for the Packers’ poor run defense along with the defensive line. The Packers were relying on rookies Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes for most of the season, and while both players showed some flashes of potential, they were far too infrequent to inspire confidence in them going forward. This is a deep linebacker class, and guys like Penn State’s Micah Parsons, Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Kentucky’s Jamin Davis, and Missouri’s Nick Bolton would all be high level, day one starters if available at pick no. 29.
Pre-Draft Need: High
Cornerback: The Packers’ lack of cornerback depth was put on full display in the 2020 NFC Championship game, as Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan were embarrassed repeatedly by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. But the Packers might be able to find the solution to their cornerback problems in this draft; particularly, they might be able to select Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley as a replacement to Kevin King. Farley is seen by many as a top ten talent, but his concerning medical history could cause him to slide to the back of the first round or even into the second round. It would be a risky selection, but Farley could be an All-Pro if he can stay healthy. As for Sullivan, who struggled as a slot cornerback this past season, I think the Packers can find his replacement in Ohio State’s Shaun Wade, who excelled in the role in 2019, but saw his draft stock fall after playing outside corner in 2020.
Pre-Draft Need: High
Safety: Despite the shaky depth at cornerback, the Packers’ safeties were elite and provided a boost to the entire defense. Strong safety Adrian Amos is a swiss army knife that can make tackles close to the line of scrimmage, cover tight ends, and make plays on the ball in coverage. His partner, free safety Darnell Savage, is a ball hawk that excels in providing support for cornerbacks in pass coverage. Both are locks to start next year barring injury and should continue to play at an elite level.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Kicker: Mason Crosby was perfect on field goals last year and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Punter: JK Scott has potential as a punter, but he’s struggled with inconsistency issues so far in his career. He’ll likely face some competition in training camp from some priority free agents.
Pre-Draft Need: Low
Other Names to Watch: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State, D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan, Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA, Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State, Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida, Ben Cleveland, OG, Georgia, Patrick Jones II, Edge Rusher, Pittsburgh, Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami (Fla.), Payton Turner, Edge Rusher, Houston, Jabril Cox, LB, LSU, Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State, Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan, Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama, Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia, Elijah Molden, CB, Washington, Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Final Thoughts: The 2021 NFL Draft is going to be the defining draft of GM Brian Gutekunst’s tenure in Green Bay. He failed to make improvements at positions of need for the team last year, and it showed at critical times throughout the season, particularly in the playoffs. For the Packers to stay contenders for the remainder of Aaron Rodgers’ tenure in Green Bay, Gutekunst needs to hit on his early round selections, or run the risk of squandering another season of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.