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Green Bay Packers: How team needs were addressed in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal inside linebacker Blake Martinez (4) knocks the ball out of the hands of Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) in the third quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi
Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal inside linebacker Blake Martinez (4) knocks the ball out of the hands of Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) in the third quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi /
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Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnnie Stanley (42) squares off on a blocking drill against Indiana Hoosiers Jason Spriggs during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnnie Stanley (42) squares off on a blocking drill against Indiana Hoosiers Jason Spriggs during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive line

Before 2016, the Packers had drafted just one offensive lineman in two years. It’s fair to say they paid the price. Behind a solid starting five, there was very little depth and injuries exposed this glaring weakness time and again.

Don Barclay, returning from a torn ACL, looked out of his depth as early as the Packers’ preseason games, and unfortunately he didn’t do much better when called upon in the regular season. JC Tretter was the only capable backup at the tackle spots, and it took until the wild-card victory over Washington to make that discovery.

Ted Thompson knew he had to do something, and when Jason Spriggs fell to the middle of the second round, his eyes lit up and the opportunity to move up and grab him was too tempting to pass up. Spriggs was considered by many to be a first-round talent, and Thompson didn’t want to risk him being snagged by one of the nine teams in front of Green Bay.

The Packers also added tackle Kyle Murphy with their final pick, and he looks to offer some good value as a late day three prospect. With Tretter, Spriggs and Murphy, the backup spots look much healthier.

Next: Wide receiver

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