Packers News: Pass rusher in first round in Mel Kiper’s mock draft

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was picked
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was picked /
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Mel Kiper has the Green Bay Packers selecting an edge rusher first in his latest mock draft.

Welcome to the Packers News Report.

Kiper has new general manager Brian Gutekunst using his first draft pick on Marcus Davenport out of UTSA. You can find the full analysis of the pick by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky here.

As the Patriots, Jaguars, Vikings and Eagles prepare for the conference championships, we’re in full offseason mode. The page has been turned to the 2018 season. That means the focus is on free agency (for once), the draft and contracts.

Friday’s Packers News Report features analysis of the Packers’ quarterback situation, a look back at last year’s free agency mistakes, an update on the salary cap and more.

Let’s dive in.

Packers news and notes from around FanSided

Offseason review: Quarterbacks [Lombardi Ave]

Aaron Rodgers always ensures the quarterback position isn’t an issue in Green Bay, but Brian Gutekunst could be in the market for a new backup. And considering Rodgers turns 35 later this year, would Gutekunst grab a quarterback for the future if a prospect he loved fell to No. 14?

Former GM warns against new power structure in Green Bay [NFL Mocks – Erik Lambert]

Jerry Angelo isn’t a fan of Mark Murphy’s changes to the front office. He made some good points, and it’s an interesting read.

Free agency review: The tight end mess [Lombardi Ave]

Last year Ted Thompson swung and missed at tight end in free agency. Replacing Jared Cook for Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks looked good at the time, but that decision proved to be a big mistake.

Breaking down Green Bay’s salary cap situation ahead of free agency [Lombardi Ave]

It’s going to be a busy offseason, and Gutekunst has a number of difficult decisions to make regarding the cap. Alongside Russ Ball, he must decide whether to keep, restructure or cut the likes of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga. Each decision will directly impact the cap.

More Packers news and notes from around the internet

Mike Pettine brings track record of postseason success to Packers [PackersNews.com – Michael Cohen]

Rookie review: Running back Aaron Jones [Packers Wire – Marty Kauffman]

Former assistants Edgar Bennett, Mike Trgovac hired by Raiders [Acme Packing Company – Evan “Tex” Western]

Packers must use fifth-year option on Damarious Randall [Cheesehead TV – Chris Peterson]

Next: Packers: 12 players that need to go this offseason

We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Packers News Report.