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Green Bay Packers: Ten mid-round options in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 27, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) carries the ball away from Marshall Thundering Herd safety Taj Letman (17) during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) carries the ball away from Marshall Thundering Herd safety Taj Letman (17) during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Joe Haeg of North Dakota State (middle) listens to instructions from a member of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff with offensive tackle Kyle Murphy of Stanford (77) and offensive guard Willie Beavers of Western Michigan (right) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Joe Haeg of North Dakota State (middle) listens to instructions from a member of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff with offensive tackle Kyle Murphy of Stanford (77) and offensive guard Willie Beavers of Western Michigan (right) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

OT Willie Beavers, Western Michigan

Depth along the offensive line was a major issue for the Packers in 2015. All five starters were regular residents on the injury report. Starting left tackle David Bakhtiari missed time with an ankle injury, as did right tackle Bryan Bulaga with a knee injury early in the year. Center Corey Linsley dealt with an ankle issue too.

JC Tretter was the only backup capable of filling in. He spent some time at center in relief of Linsley, and played at left tackle for the Packers’ wild-card round victory over Washington. Adding more depth is crucial.

It’s also important to keep one eye on the not-too-distant future. Bakhtiari and Tretter are entering contract years, as are guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton. The Packers will be hard pressed to keep all four, so drafting replacements now to groom into starters is important.

Next: Five first-round options for Packers

Willie Beavers would be a mid-round option for the Packers. Beavers is an athletic player with the potential to play left tackle. The belief among many analysts is that he won’t be a day one starter, but this doesn’t matter for Green Bay. Beavers could add depth in 2016 with the possibility of becoming a starter down the line.

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