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The Packers have some holes but are still the top of the class in the NFC North in 2013. The Vikings have gotten better on defense but offensively they are still a one trick pony. The Lions probably have the most talent but will remain an underachieving team under Schwartz. The Bears are under new coaching so I think they take a step back regardless who takes over.
Offensively the Packers will undoubtedly lose Greg. Jennings, and Don Driver. At this point they don't have anyone on the roster to take the place of Finley so he will stay at least through train camp. The Packers still have "Statmaster" Aaron Rodgers at qb. He is a top three chucker r in the league, but has now turned in two spotty playoff loses in two consecutive seasons. He will sign an extension some time in 2013 for close to 120 million and stay in Green Bay even longer than he should. He is elite, and even though he will lose important cogs to his success he will continue to lead this team to the playoffs. If fans trust Thompson then know that Thompson will go to the wall to find weapons for Rodgers.
The Packers will likely spend one or two picks in the upcoming draft on receivers. I don't expect a first round selection unless a highly rated tight end like Tyler Eifert drops to them in the first round. The Packers real need on offense is a durable running back that can attack defenses. Two names come to mind. The Packers could go with a pure runner like Eddie Lacy, or go with a back with an all around pedigree like Monte Ball. If Lacy eats up the clock in his 40 expect him to be a top 30 pick. Ball at best will be a low second, unless he drops a sub 4.5 at the combine. Wisconsin fans would love to see Ball in green and gold. Either would pair well with holdovers in Smith and Green. Green has shown some ability, and Who knows what the Packers have in Smith. Starks should be gone, and Benson will be gone, or should be gone.
The Packers offensive line is sort of in flux. The have two book end tackles that are just "ok" in Barklay and Newhouse. Both are suitable starters, but lets be honest better back ups. Sherod who hasn't shown a thing will be back after missing 2012 with a broken stick. Bulaga can't stay healthy, that hip isn't good, but he is an above average right tackle in the NFL. If the Packers drafted an offensive tackle in the higher rounds I wouldn't be surprised. Interior linemen is another story, Lang and Sitton are above average by NFL standards and will be locks to begin the season as part of the starting lineup. But EDS has only been given a small sample as a starter and for what he has given I would only use pencil to write his name down amongst the starters. The Packers could take a long hard look at Barrett Jones from Alabama. He has started every position along the offensive line and has excelled at each, he will be an offensive linemen with a high value to the offensive system where offensive linemen carry more value based on the multiple positions they can play.
Defensively the Packers can bring back everyone they choose to from a defense that hovered in the top half of all defenses in 2012. Most likely Charles Woodson will be cap causality at 10 million dollars. He might restructure and come back for a lower number. His play and injury concerns at this point in his career just don't equal 10 million dollars. He brings leadership to the defense and still has great instincts, but the athleticism just isn't there any more. His body just can't do the things his brain tells him to. The Packers have two young safeties in Jennings and McMillian, but both are shorter and haven't proved assignment sure in 2012. The Packers could look early in the draft to find Woodson's replacement. Burnett is fine at the other safety position, he is poor man's Nick Collins. The Packers should have one of the better cover units in the NFL with four corners that could be considered starters in Williams, Shields, House, and Heyward. The Packers probably won't address cornerback in the draft.
The Packers were thin all year at inside linebacker, losing both Bishop and Smith early to injury. Hawk had his best season in the Dom Caper 3-4 defense. It obvious now that Hawk will never live up to his billing as the 5th over all pick in the 2006 draft, but he held up and was steady in the run game, especially in the early and middle part of the year. Hawk isn't a player with enough instinct and fast twitch muscle to make plays consistently and without the help of defensive linemen taking up blockers. The worst thing about Hawk is that he is blockable. Most drafts don't have great depth at inside linebacker including this one. If Hawk is cut to save cap space expect to see Bishop and Smith start the year.
Outside linebacker is a key position in the 3-4. Mathews is one of the great players in the NFL right now. He is Kevin Green, LT type player off the edge. The Packers drafted nick Perry in the last draft and the kid showed a lot of promise working the line of scrimmage before getting his wrist mangled. He showed be back and he should be an anchor in the run game at the point of attack. Moses showed flashes considering he was in drafted, but he needs to get bigger, and study film in the off season to enhance his instincts. Walden is just a guy. I have never been impressed with him, simply he is a mental midget and can't do anything but rush up field. He is stiff and simply not worth another contract. Zombo is as equally bad. Packers need to improve their depth with athetic guys that can hold the edge , but also have the speed to beat the ball carrier to the sideline.
On the defensive line the Packers are no better off than at the end of last season. Pickett is broken down, Raji continues to play too many snaps, and Wilson can't move past the line of scrimmage on passing plays. Mike Neal has shown flashes as a pass rusher, but he needs to not be suspended or injured for an entire season. The guy is athletic, and has a tremendous build, but he needs for everything to click. The Packers spend an early pick on Worthy, but with a severe injury suffered at the end of the season it will take a remarkable comeback for him to be completely healthy at the start of camp. It is a shame because Worthy has the tools and ability to succeed in the NFL but he really needed this offseason to mature into an NFL quality defensive linemen. With Pickett nearing the end and Raji under performing the Packers might want to address getting a big body upfront. The good ones go fast in the NFL draft so the might have spend a first round pick for a quality player in John Jenkins, or Kwan Short from Prudue.
Offensively the Packers will undoubtedly lose Greg. Jennings, and Don Driver. At this point they don't have anyone on the roster to take the place of Finley so he will stay at least through train camp. The Packers still have "Statmaster" Aaron Rodgers at qb. He is a top three chucker r in the league, but has now turned in two spotty playoff loses in two consecutive seasons. He will sign an extension some time in 2013 for close to 120 million and stay in Green Bay even longer than he should. He is elite, and even though he will lose important cogs to his success he will continue to lead this team to the playoffs. If fans trust Thompson then know that Thompson will go to the wall to find weapons for Rodgers.
The Packers will likely spend one or two picks in the upcoming draft on receivers. I don't expect a first round selection unless a highly rated tight end like Tyler Eifert drops to them in the first round. The Packers real need on offense is a durable running back that can attack defenses. Two names come to mind. The Packers could go with a pure runner like Eddie Lacy, or go with a back with an all around pedigree like Monte Ball. If Lacy eats up the clock in his 40 expect him to be a top 30 pick. Ball at best will be a low second, unless he drops a sub 4.5 at the combine. Wisconsin fans would love to see Ball in green and gold. Either would pair well with holdovers in Smith and Green. Green has shown some ability, and Who knows what the Packers have in Smith. Starks should be gone, and Benson will be gone, or should be gone.
The Packers offensive line is sort of in flux. The have two book end tackles that are just "ok" in Barklay and Newhouse. Both are suitable starters, but lets be honest better back ups. Sherod who hasn't shown a thing will be back after missing 2012 with a broken stick. Bulaga can't stay healthy, that hip isn't good, but he is an above average right tackle in the NFL. If the Packers drafted an offensive tackle in the higher rounds I wouldn't be surprised. Interior linemen is another story, Lang and Sitton are above average by NFL standards and will be locks to begin the season as part of the starting lineup. But EDS has only been given a small sample as a starter and for what he has given I would only use pencil to write his name down amongst the starters. The Packers could take a long hard look at Barrett Jones from Alabama. He has started every position along the offensive line and has excelled at each, he will be an offensive linemen with a high value to the offensive system where offensive linemen carry more value based on the multiple positions they can play.
Defensively the Packers can bring back everyone they choose to from a defense that hovered in the top half of all defenses in 2012. Most likely Charles Woodson will be cap causality at 10 million dollars. He might restructure and come back for a lower number. His play and injury concerns at this point in his career just don't equal 10 million dollars. He brings leadership to the defense and still has great instincts, but the athleticism just isn't there any more. His body just can't do the things his brain tells him to. The Packers have two young safeties in Jennings and McMillian, but both are shorter and haven't proved assignment sure in 2012. The Packers could look early in the draft to find Woodson's replacement. Burnett is fine at the other safety position, he is poor man's Nick Collins. The Packers should have one of the better cover units in the NFL with four corners that could be considered starters in Williams, Shields, House, and Heyward. The Packers probably won't address cornerback in the draft.
The Packers were thin all year at inside linebacker, losing both Bishop and Smith early to injury. Hawk had his best season in the Dom Caper 3-4 defense. It obvious now that Hawk will never live up to his billing as the 5th over all pick in the 2006 draft, but he held up and was steady in the run game, especially in the early and middle part of the year. Hawk isn't a player with enough instinct and fast twitch muscle to make plays consistently and without the help of defensive linemen taking up blockers. The worst thing about Hawk is that he is blockable. Most drafts don't have great depth at inside linebacker including this one. If Hawk is cut to save cap space expect to see Bishop and Smith start the year.
Outside linebacker is a key position in the 3-4. Mathews is one of the great players in the NFL right now. He is Kevin Green, LT type player off the edge. The Packers drafted nick Perry in the last draft and the kid showed a lot of promise working the line of scrimmage before getting his wrist mangled. He showed be back and he should be an anchor in the run game at the point of attack. Moses showed flashes considering he was in drafted, but he needs to get bigger, and study film in the off season to enhance his instincts. Walden is just a guy. I have never been impressed with him, simply he is a mental midget and can't do anything but rush up field. He is stiff and simply not worth another contract. Zombo is as equally bad. Packers need to improve their depth with athetic guys that can hold the edge , but also have the speed to beat the ball carrier to the sideline.
On the defensive line the Packers are no better off than at the end of last season. Pickett is broken down, Raji continues to play too many snaps, and Wilson can't move past the line of scrimmage on passing plays. Mike Neal has shown flashes as a pass rusher, but he needs to not be suspended or injured for an entire season. The guy is athletic, and has a tremendous build, but he needs for everything to click. The Packers spend an early pick on Worthy, but with a severe injury suffered at the end of the season it will take a remarkable comeback for him to be completely healthy at the start of camp. It is a shame because Worthy has the tools and ability to succeed in the NFL but he really needed this offseason to mature into an NFL quality defensive linemen. With Pickett nearing the end and Raji under performing the Packers might want to address getting a big body upfront. The good ones go fast in the NFL draft so the might have spend a first round pick for a quality player in John Jenkins, or Kwan Short from Prudue.
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