Green Bay Packers GM must take drastic gamble to improve defense
By Mark Gladney
OK, someone check Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson.
There could be an imposter lurking in the Packers’ front office. First, he re-signs OLB Nick Perry to a large contract to keep him in the fold, and then turns right back and reels in TE Martellus Bennett, arguably the top TE in the current free agent market and follows that up by bringing in another TE, Lance Kendricks.
This gives the team two offensive weapons at a position they have not had since Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson 20 years ago.
What is happening here?
Of course, the team still has serious problems on defense at CB and LB, not to mention lack of depth at RB, if free agent Eddie Lacy signs elsewhere.
There is also a high likelihood that OL T.J. Lang will leave the team as well.
However, I think the main concern is on defense.
Will Thompson continue with Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall as the starting corners or once again go fishing in the NFL draft for help?
It is almost a certainty that a DB is drafted early with the departure of DB Micah Hyde to the Buffalo Bills this week. The cupboard is pretty bare at CB at this point. The problem, however, is whether you can bring in rookies on defense from this draft at such a critical position that could help the team make it to the Super Bowl in the near future.
While the Packers GM is making significant moves in the free agent market on offense, the defense needs an absolute stud and since there is not one CB who could qualify as that in this draft that could help the team defense, I think there are two options – make a serious move up in this year’s draft, or make a trade for an established defensive player.
If you go with option #1, make a serious move up in the draft to get an edge rusher.
Putting pressure on an opposing QB makes even an average secondary look much, much better. Additionally, there is much to teach a good edge rusher, even a rookie, where a big difference can be made to improve team defense. You simply tell him, “Go get the QB as fast as you can.”
What can the Packers do?
Well, therein lies the rub.
The whole football world probably thinks the best edge rusher in this draft is OLB Myles Garrett. Would love to have him, but there is virtually no way the Packers can obtain that pick.
According to the 2017 Draft Pick Value Chart by Drafttek, the value of the Packers collective picks do not equal the point value to make Cleveland want to make that trade.
However, they may be able to piece together a move up as high as 12th. At that level, they may be able to get a high quality OLB or a DL with high all-around skills that could be a game changer on defense.
If the team were to do that and such a defensive player were not available, then the best player available could be an option or trade back down for additional picks, but they are going to need a playmaker on the defense and free agency and/or franchise tag protection has taken some of those off the board.
Option #2 is to make a trade for and established NFL defensive player.
The Patriots are not standing still, making a deal for WR Brandin Cooks. The Packers must take a chance.
No risk, no reward.
Next: What about Richard Rodgers?
If the time is now (and I think it is), drastic gambles are needed from this general manager.