When Considering Packers’ Draft Needs, Don’t Forget 2023

Everyone knows the Packers have a major hole at receiver entering the 2022 NFL Draft. But what about future holes that must be addressed?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Everyone knows the Green Bay Packers’ biggest needs entering the 2022 NFL Draft. They need multiple receivers, including an immediate difference-maker. Down two starters and and with Elgton Jenkins unlikely to be ready for Week 1, the Packers need offensive linemen. There is no depth at outside linebacker and only five defensive linemen under contract.

That instant gratification will be taken care of by general manager Brian Gutekunst, presumably with early-round selections.

But, of course, the draft isn’t just about today. It’s about planning ahead and filling future needs so they don’t become holes.

With that as a backdrop, here is a quick-hitting, position-by-position look at the Packers through the prism of the future and how it might be addressed in this draft.

Packers’ Looking-Ahead-To-2023 Needs

The NFL Draft isn't only about filling immediate needs. It's about addressing potential needs.

Quarterback

Assuming Aaron Rodgers returns and Jordan Love isn’t traded, the Packers will enter 2023 with the same starter-backup situation for a fourth consecutive season. Restarting the process of grooming the quarterback of the future is probably a year away.

Running Back

AJ Dillon is under contract through 2023 and Aaron Jones and Kylin Hill are under contract through 2024. However, Jones’ cap number will explode next season, making him a potential cash-saving cut. In 12 months, it might be worth using an early-round pick on a running back. For now, there’s no reason to invest anything more than a late-round selection to push Hill, who is coming off a torn ACL, and Patrick Taylor.

Receiver

The Packers have short- and long-term needs at receiver. Following the trade of Davante Adams and the departure of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they have only two experienced receivers, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, so getting a receiver or two early in this draft is vital. Beyond that, Lazard will play 2022 under the restricted free-agent tender and Cobb’s contract will void after the season. So, not only do the Packers need an instant-impact receiver, they need receivers to potentially replace Lazard and Cobb.

Tight End

Headed by Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, the Packers are carrying an experienced group into 2022. However, Tonyan is playing under only a one-year contract and Lewis’ deal expires after 2022, as well. So, it’s time to plan ahead and tap into a pretty strong group of prospects. Tonyan is the pass-catcher/overgrown receiver and Lewis is the dirty-work blocker. Can the Packers find one player to handle both chores, or do they need to double-up?

Offensive Line

There are immediate holes. Elgton Jenkins is coming off a torn ACL and might not be ready for Week 1, Billy Turner was released and Lucas Patrick joined the Bears. Looking ahead, the 26-year-old Jenkins is scheduled to be a free agent after the upcoming season. Presumably, preventing that from happening will be a priority for Gutekunst. Players with Jenkins’ talent and versatility are rare. And the elephant in the room is All-Pro David Bakhtiari’s knee. With massive cap charges of $29.1 million for 2023 and $33.1 million for 2024, the Packers no doubt are hoping and praying that he'll return to form.

Defensive Line

The veteran addition of Jarran Reed takes the pressure off Gutekunst from having to use a premium pick on the defensive front. Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Reed and TJ Slaton have the makings of forming a high-quality quartet. However, the long-term need is obvious with Reed and Lowry slated to be free agents at the end of the season. The only other defensive linemen under contract are Clark, Slaton and Jack Heflin.

Outside Linebacker

This is a big immediate need with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary backed up by the not-so-fearsome foursome of Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, La’Darius Hamilton and Randy Ramsey. “I love four guys. Four legit guys that you can have, sub ‘em in, sub ‘em out, whether it’s situational, red zone, 2-minute, third-down packages,” new position coach Jason Rebrovich said on Tuesday. Gary is entering his final season under contract, though the team almost certainly will trigger the fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline to ensure Gary and Smith will be together through at least 2023.

Inside Linebacker

All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell was retained with a five-year contract before the start of free agency, a massive move for Green Bay’s defense. On a per-snap basis, Krys Barnes actually was more productive than Campbell. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Barnes will be a restricted free agent after this season. Ty Summers, one of the team’s better players on special teams, will be an unrestricted free agent. It will be interesting to see if Gutekunst leaves well enough alone or tries to form a truly elite tandem.

Cornerback

Green Bay has three excellent cornerbacks. One of them, Rasul Douglas, re-signed in free agency through 2024. Another, 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, is signed through 2024 with a potential option for 2025. Now, can the Packers retain former All-Pro Jaire Alexander? Their first-round pick in 2018, Alexander is set to play under the fifth-year option this year. The Packers, obviously, would love to keep one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks but it won’t be easy given the state of their salary cap.

Safety

This is far and away the biggest look-to-the-future need. With Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, the Packers have one of the better tandems in the NFL. Both players are set to become free agents at the end of the season, though there’s still time to flip the switch on Savage’s fifth-year option. There is absolutely no depth behind them. It’s fairly easy to envision the Packers using an early pick on a safety. Will he be a pure safety, which would allow Savage to try his hand in the slot? Or will it be a safety with the ability to play in the slot?

Special Teams

Longtime kicker Mason Crosby is entering his final season under contract. The team’s kicker since 2007, he’ll have to beat out JJ Molson and Dominik Eberle in training camp to keep the job for a 16th season.