Ranking the Packers Draft Needs Post-Free Agency

Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90). Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

7) DEFENSIVE LINE

At the start of free agency it looked like defensive line would be one of the biggest needs for the Packers going into the draft.

However, the Peppers and Letroy Guion signings this offseason paired with the team’s ability to re-sign B.J. Raji for another year have helped bolster their defensive line heading into next season.

Not to mention, the Packers will be looking for big jumps from last year’s rookies, Datone Jones and Josh Boyd, and third-year player Jerel Worthy who sat out most of last season because of injury.

The Packers have plenty of young talent on their defensive line. Mike Daniels is a budding player and even Neal, like Peppers, has the ability to line up with his hand on the ground in certain sub packages.

The Packers have options at defensive line, and may even bring back Ryan Pickett or Johnny Jolly for another season who remain free agents.

Green Bay seems to have reasonable depth at defensive line heading into the 2014 season, but Raji’s future beyond next season remains uncertain and the Packers still lack the traditional big-bodied linemen that make a 3-4 front effective.

Minnesota Gopher Defensive Lineman Ra’Shede Hageman (99). USA TODAY Sports photograph.

DRAFT OUTLOOK

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers took a look at Minnesota’s Ra’Shede Hageman or Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt, especially if either of these players falls to them in the second round. Both players are great fits for end in a 3-4 defense.

The Packers may even draft Louis Nix III out of Notre Dame in the first round to be their nose tackle of the future if they don’t feel confident Raji will remain with them after the 2014 season.

Green Bay may even look at taking a defensive lineman later in the draft, like Penn State’s DaQuan Jones or Cal’s Deandre Coleman, that are big-bodied linemen that can clog holes in their base 3-4 front.