I'd like to read what members feel are GB's greatest needs and why.
Originally Posted by: Smokey
I think the top needs this offseason are
Edge and
Safety because really we need two starters at each. Yes the Packers have Perry, Fackrell, Tramon, Brice and Jones signed for next year... but Perry is always injured it seems, Fackrell and Tramon are in their last year of their contracts... and Fackrell stats are better than his play, so he might get well over paid, while Tramon is 36, so they might not be resigned, and does anyone trust Brice and Jones to be starters at Safety right now? ... I don't... I might trust Jones to be a starter at the dime LB spot. But Matthews and Wilkerson both being FAs hurts the Packers and the coverage guys are so important in Pettine's system, as he would like to be able to get them in man coverage and then he can scheme pressure in the front with physical players.
After that
OLand
DL.
OL probably the most because there is a big whole at RG and because Bulaga gets injured and is in the last year of his deal.... but DL is a need, because Wilkerson is a FA, and Daniels and Lowry are in the last years of their deals, though Lancaster stepping up at a two gap run puller has given them some depth and they'll probably resign one of the DL at least. But the Packers DL has better depth and usually not as injury prone at Bulaga, so I'm gonna go with OL first.
After that it's a bit of an open field... But I'm gonna go with
CB, because Pettine system the coverage guys are so important and CB King can't stay healthy. Jackson was improving but he might not be ready to start yet... so they need another potential starter since Breeland is a FA.
RB/TE ... RB because LaFleur offenses usually has a power guy and a speed guy, which helps if both are receivers, but it seems like often a RB gets injured. I don't feel TE is as much a need as others, because I think Graham is better than what he showed last year, Graham's worst seasons have all been the first year with a new team, and based on what some former Packers TEs have said, I don't think Mike McCarthy offense was set up well for TEs... and because Gute has some interesting developmental receiving TEs in Robert Tonyan and Allen Lazard who were both 6'5" 230lb WRs in college (I'm projecting they're going to ask Lazard to switch to TE like Tonyan). They still might need a blocker though. But RB gets the edge because I think the RB is such a focal point in LaFleur offense to take pressure off the QB.
WR .... I used to have this higher, when thinking they were going to be using a ton of 3 WRs, but I seeing the receiving TEs, I've come back off this a good bit, plus the WRs will be getting to learn an offense that will help them more, and they'll be able to learn and grow with the vets. Plus Allison and Kumerow with all the rookies from last year and Adams. Though I also wouldn't be shocked if Gute drafts a WR high if there is some guy he loves.
ILB ... Ryan is FA, Martinez is going into a contract year... and Burks is developing. But they'll probably resign Martinez, I think they should resign Ryan on a short term prove it deal (but I really think as a physical LB Ryan could fit well going forward in Pettines defense)... and they can also use physical Safeties at ILB in the dime package (Josh Jones).
QB ... Rodgers... also if Kizer has gotten comfortable with his footwork, and looking like his rookie self, then I think they'll have something good to work with, plus a developmental guy in Boyle showed some unteachable stuff, his biggest problems are consider teachable so some potential there.
So at the moment, my need list order looks something like
Top Needs
- S (really 1A)
- Edge (really 1B)
- OL
- DL
Lower Needs
- CB
- RB (really 6A)
- TE (really 6B)
- WR
- ILB
- QB