The Packers have a solid nucleus to build around. But help is definitely needed — most notably at safety, inside linebacker, tight end, wide receiver and on the defensive line. When the draft begins May 8, Ted Thompson is expected to address these positions early — and perhaps often.

JSOnline  wrote:

I think he overstates the need at receiver. I'd be shocked if we didn't resign Cobb and Nelson. We have cap under this year to work with yet. Boykin showed plenty last year to have confidence in him as a third receiver. Between the other young guys in the system you'd expect to at least have the quality of a 4th or 5th receiver there somewhere. The bottom line is our depth at receiver is still above average in this league, maybe even well above depending on how well Boykin comes along and if the top 3 stay healthy.

I'd like to see at least one receiving threat, whether that be a tight end or a wide receiver, taken this year; and potentially one of each. But there is no way in hell receiver is our second biggest need.

I'd put nose tackle at our second biggest need behind safety (just edging inside linebacker for me where at least we have one consistent, albeit unspectacular performer in Hawk, and a couple young guys who we'd hope could do a competent job). Once the injuries started to pile up we were gashed up the middle on the run and we almost never collapsed the pocket up the middle in passing situations. Edge rushers are just not as effective if you leave a ton of space for a QB to step up into the pocket. Right now we have a guy who has been grossly underperforming the past three years and virtually no one else. Boyd can play there in a pinch, but at this point in time I would not want to rely on him to consistently plug the middle. He's more likely a defensive end in our scheme in running situations.

I'd move center further up the list since we do not have a known quantity at the position. It doesn't mean we should address it early, but you don't usually get a run of centers early anyway.

With Flynn and Tolzein lined up as the backups this year, we don't really have a need at quarterback at the moment. There are some prospects that would be worthwhile considering later on in the draft depending on how everything unfolds, but picking a quarterback now should strictly be due to BPA.

Originally Posted by: mi_keys 

I think he overstates the need at receiver. I'd be shocked if we didn't resign Cobb and Nelson. We have cap under this year to work with yet. Boykin showed plenty last year to have confidence in him as a third receiver. Between the other young guys in the system you'd expect to at least have the quality of a 4th or 5th receiver there somewhere. The bottom line is our depth at receiver is still above average in this league, maybe even well above depending on how well Boykin comes along and if the top 3 stay healthy.

I'd like to see at least one receiving threat, whether that be a tight end or a wide receiver, taken this year; and potentially one of each. But there is no way in hell receiver is our second biggest need.

I'd put nose tackle at our second biggest need behind safety (just edging inside linebacker for me where at least we have one consistent, albeit unspectacular performer in Hawk, and a couple young guys who we'd hope could do a competent job). Once the injuries started to pile up we were gashed up the middle on the run and we almost never collapsed the pocket up the middle in passing situations. Edge rushers are just not as effective if you leave a ton of space for a QB to step up into the pocket. Right now we have a guy who has been grossly underperforming the past three years and virtually no one else. Boyd can play there in a pinch, but at this point in time I would not want to rely on him to consistently plug the middle. He's more likely a defensive end in our scheme in running situations.

I'd move center further up the list since we do not have a known quantity at the position. It doesn't mean we should address it early, but you don't usually get a run of centers early anyway.

With Flynn and Tolzein lined up as the backups this year, we don't really have a need at quarterback at the moment. There are some prospects that would be worthwhile considering later on in the draft depending on how everything unfolds, but picking a quarterback now should strictly be due to BPA.

Originally Posted by: mi_keys 

I think he overstates the need at receiver. I'd be shocked if we didn't resign Cobb and Nelson. We have cap under this year to work with yet. Boykin showed plenty last year to have confidence in him as a third receiver. Between the other young guys in the system you'd expect to at least have the quality of a 4th or 5th receiver there somewhere. The bottom line is our depth at receiver is still above average in this league, maybe even well above depending on how well Boykin comes along and if the top 3 stay healthy.

I'd like to see at least one receiving threat, whether that be a tight end or a wide receiver, taken this year; and potentially one of each. But there is no way in hell receiver is our second biggest need.

I'd put nose tackle at our second biggest need behind safety (just edging inside linebacker for me where at least we have one consistent, albeit unspectacular performer in Hawk, and a couple young guys who we'd hope could do a competent job). Once the injuries started to pile up we were gashed up the middle on the run and we almost never collapsed the pocket up the middle in passing situations. Edge rushers are just not as effective if you leave a ton of space for a QB to step up into the pocket. Right now we have a guy who has been grossly underperforming the past three years and virtually no one else. Boyd can play there in a pinch, but at this point in time I would not want to rely on him to consistently plug the middle. He's more likely a defensive end in our scheme in running situations.

I'd move center further up the list since we do not have a known quantity at the position. It doesn't mean we should address it early, but you don't usually get a run of centers early anyway.

With Flynn and Tolzein lined up as the backups this year, we don't really have a need at quarterback at the moment. There are some prospects that would be worthwhile considering later on in the draft depending on how everything unfolds, but picking a quarterback now should strictly be due to BPA.

Originally Posted by: mi_keys 

I don't know mi_keys. When Cobb went down, we were at a loss, and that was with Jones. Right now, behind Nelson, Cobb and Boykin, we have little there that is game proven. Lose one starter to injury and we could be in trouble. Two would be much worse. I like the idea of Ted adding a WR anywhere in the first 4 rounds if he sees fit to do so.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

In a league where I consider every year rebuilding while you keep your core in tact I am just looking for one defensive draft pick to make an impact like last year where Hyde showed he can be a playmaker. Vic touched on this in his ask Vic video and I agree. Now this could be someone we drafted last year like Jones or Boyd. The hope is we draft a front seven guy (no matter what the position) that makes an immediate impact for the better.

First round is still very much a toss up for me. I don't find myself getting too overexcited about anyone in particular especially so close to the end of the round. I would not be shocked nor angry if it turns out to be an offensive player.

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules