Chicago Bears NFC North Rivals: A look at the Green Bay Packers
The draft needs for the Packers
Round | Overall | Acquired from |
|---|---|---|
1 | 25 | |
2 | 41 | From New York Jets |
2 | 58 | |
3 | 88 | |
3 | 91 | From Buffalo |
4 | 126 | |
5 | 169 | Compensatory pick |
6 | 202 | |
6 | 219 | Compensatory pick |
7 | 245 | |
7 | 255 | Compensatory pick |
1. Inside Linebacker
The Packers are thin at inside linebacker after releasing De'Vondre Campbell. The depth is also suspect. However, this year's linebacker class does not have star power. North Carolina State's Payton Wilson would be rated much higher had it not been for injuries and age. Other notable names include Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper, North Carolina's Cedric Gray, and Michigan's Junior Colson. Given the Packers have 11 picks, expect them to draft multiple linebackers on Day 3.
2. Offensive Tackle
Releasing David Bakhtiari was made easy after rookie Rasheed Walker, their 7th-round pick in the 2022 draft played well after Bakhtiari suffered a season-ending injury in a season opener against the Bears last season. He is their Braxton Jones. Given the depth of tackles available in this draft, they could draft a tackle high to either compete with Walker for the left tackle position or at least provide depth after the departure of swing tackle Yosh Nijman to Carolina.
3. Defensive End
To help support new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, they could add more pass rushers to their arsenal. They have Rashan Gray, Preston Smith, and Lukas Van Ness but after them, they have little. Van Ness had 4 sacks as a rookie, so Hafley has his work cut out to figure out how to get the most out of him next season. Also, Smith is 31, so they need to add more rotational pieces to keep him healthy and effective in 2024, and possibly replace him in 2025.
4. Cornerback
This position could be a higher priority if Jaire Alexander does not return to his form and is still at odds over his suspension when he has not anointed the team-designated captain and participated in a coin toss that he should not have against the Carolina Panthers last season. However, the Packers made it sound like that may not be the only reason that led to his suspension.
Their other starter, Eric Stokes has been inconsistent after a strong rookie season in 2021. Iowa's Cooper DeJean, Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, and Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry are some of the names to remember in the first round.