A new beginning for the Packers has arrived with first-year coach Matt LaFleur. It's also a chance for Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst to learn from last year's free agency cycle. The Packers have more than $36 million in salary cap space for 2019, and Gutekunst has made a promise to be "very aggressive" in conversations this offseason.
He better be.
Green Bay is coming off back-to-back losing seasons. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 35. The same problems on both sides of the ball have continued to dog the team.
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Not helping matters are division rivals making aggressive moves, like the Bears trading for Khalil Mack last year. The Packers need to counter with some shrew moves to improve the talent of the roster through both free agency and the NFL Draft, for which Green Bay has two first-round picks and four picks in the first three rounds.
With that in mind, here is a look at the needs the Packers must address, starting with free agency this month.
Packers team needs
- Safety
- Edge rusher
- Offensive line
- Wide receiver
- Tight end
Safety
Green Bay retained defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, and for his scheme to work, the Packers need better play in the secondary. They tied for 29th in the NFL with just seven interceptions last season.
The Packers have some promising young cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, both of whom were drafted last year. Now they need to fill the void left by safety Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, who was traded to Washington. Landon Collins, another former Alabama safety, could be the answer and should be a high-priority target. Earl Thomas and Adrian Amos also are options.
This position has haunted the Packers since Nick Collins was injured in 2011. Time to fix it.
Edge rusher
The Packers have a decision to make with free-agent Clay Matthews, who turns 33 in May and had just 3.5 sacks last season. Nick Perry also is a candidate to be cut, which would leave Kyler Fackrell, who had a breakout season with 10.5 sacks last season, as Green Bay’s lone edge-rushing threat.
Jadeveon Clowney and Demarcus Lawrence were franchise tagged, which leaves Trey Flowers, who averaged seven sacks over the last three seasons, as the best end on the market. But Green Bay might prefer to address this position in the draft from a loaded class. There will be a reconstruction.
Offensive line
All five of Green Bay’s starters are under contract, but that doesn't mean the Packers should ignore their OL. They allowed 53 sacks last season, and Rodgers dealt with a knee injury pretty much all season.
Guard Rodger Saffold could help shore up the interior. Ramon Foster is another option there. Veterans David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga are backed up at tackle with Jason Spriggs, but it wouldn't hurt to add another for depth.
Wide receiver
Davante Adams and Jimmy Graham were reliable targets last season, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the only other receiver with more than 500 yards. Green Bay has a decision to make with veteran Randall Cobb, who had just 38 catches for 383 yards last season. Geronimo Allison, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jake Kumerow are young receivers who have had flashes of that success, but will LaFleur want more for Rodgers?
Golden Tate — yes the guy who caught the “Fail Mary” — and Adam Humphries are interesting options.
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Tight end
The Packers signed Graham to a three-year deal last season, and Gutekunst hinted that the tight end will return in 2019. Green Bay can still add depth at the position.
In free agency, those options include bringing back Jared Cook or, maybe, taking a chance on Tyler Eifert, who struggled with injuries throughout his career with Cincinnati. Green Bay also could hold out for one of the Iowa tight ends in the NFL Draft; Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson would work well with Rodgers.
