Packers: Ranking top five needs ahead of 2022 NFL Draft
Ranking the Packers’ top-five draft needs in 2022.
Outside of trading All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, the Green Bay Packers have retained many key players like De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas, and Preston Smith this offseason.
Adams might be gone, but Green Bay at least bring back picks in the first and second rounds in return. These selections will be needed to keep building at various positions. Green Bay has a total of 11 picks in the draft, including three inside the top 92.
What are the Packers’ biggest needs entering this month’s draft?
1. Wide receiver
With Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling gone, the Packers have lost two players who contributed 43.8 percent of the team’s total receiving yards and 35.9 percent of receiving touchdowns in 2021.
It leaves Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers as the Packers’ top three at wide receiver. While all of them can be contributors in 2022, Green Bay needs multiple additions at the position this offseason, most likely through the draft.
Barring a big-time trade or free-agent addition, general manager Brian Gutekunst needs to address this position early and often in the draft.
2. Edge rusher
The Packers have a more settled starting lineup at edge rusher compared to wide receiver with rising star Rashan Gary and veteran Preston Smith, but work is needed behind them on the depth chart.
Edge rusher is a premium position and the Packers can’t go into 2022 with their current lack of depth. It’s a good year to need pass-rush help, but Green Bay may need to use one of its first-round picks to address the position.
3. Offensive line
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact area of need on the offensive line due to the positional versatility the Packers currently have on the roster. Elgton Jenkins can start at any of the five positions if needed.
The overall depth at each position isn’t great with starting right tackle Billy Turner released and versatile lineman Lucas Patrick departing in free agency. Backup tackle Dennis Kelly is still a free agent.
Tackle may appear to be the most significant need, but the Packers have David Bakhtiari and Jenkins starting and Yosh Nijman as the backup when fully healthy. Jenkins can also play guard, and the Packers have a solid young duo of Jon Runyan Jr. and Royce Newman at the position.
That versatility helps Green Bay, but this team desperately needs more depth, whether at an interior spot or at tackle.
4. Safety
There are multiple reasons why safety is a need for the Packers.
Starters Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage are both set to hit free agency in 2023. Savage is also coming off an up-and-down season.
In the short term, the Packers have a glaring need at the third safety spot with Henry Black still a free agent. The need will become even more of an issue should either Amos or Savage miss any time this season.
Draft a safety in the early rounds, and the Packers’ secondary could rank among the best in the league.
5. Tight end
Robert Tonyan re-signing to a one-year deal lowers the need at tight end, although it’s unclear when he will make his return from a torn ACL. The Packers may also want to look beyond this season when both Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis will become free agents.