What Is The Packers Biggest Need Heading Into This Coming Draft?

[Patler]

It really is time to look at rebuilding the O-line again. They could lose any or all of their starting guards and tackles in 2017, Bahktiari, Sitton and/or Lang to exorbitant contract offers and Bulaga to yet another injury. I don't expect they will lose all of the first three to contract offers, and may not even lose any of them, but it could happen. They might have a serviceable replacement in either Adams or Rotheram, maybe both, to get by for a season or so at guard, but the offense needs at least one that is more than just serviceable. There is nothing at tackle for a longer term replacement.

That said, quality DL is always a need, it seems; so the order in which the needs are addressed does not matter.

I'll be honest here, with the way the NFL plays right now, I'm not sure God has created humans that fill all of the needs at ILB in just one person. It is hard finding a guy with the size of a small DE, the strength of a DT, the speed and agility of a CB and the smarts of a QB.

[pbmax]

^ Packer Report @PackerReport 7h7 hours ago
Thompson admits there's some wiggle room (sort of) in drafting best player available vs. position of need.

Packer Report @PackerReport 7h7 hours ago
What about OL, with three players coming up for FA: "Not a lot" of impact on who to draft, he says. "We're not going to stray" off of BPA

A potential down-the-road need exists on the offensive line. While the starting five and top three backups return, left tackle David Bakhtiari and guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang are entering their final season under contract. Thompson, however, said their contractual situations wouldn’t impact his thinking in the draft.

“Not at all,” he said, noting it’s possible to sign those three to extensions.

Story that covers his PC, he is quoted as saying "Not at all". http://www.scout.com/nfl/packers/sto...th-an-asterisk

[vince]

DL - Could be BPA early and another stud is needed
OLB - studs are aging, Perry is year-to-year, Elliot needs to bulk up to be an every down player
OL - tackle depth and hedge for next year's contributor contracts (Bakh, Sitton, Lang, Tretter)
ILB - 3 down guy will be hard to find and will need time to be dependable

[George Cumby]

I'll be honest here, with the way the NFL plays right now, I'm not sure God has created humans that fill all of the needs at ILB in just one person.

Think about this. There are 350 million+ living in the US today. About 15 are capable of playing QB at a really good level. Maybe half of that play at a truly elite level. What an amazing game this really is.

[run pMc]

OT, ILB, OLB, DL. Of Sitton, Lang, Bahk, and Tretter, I'd be surprised if more than 2 of them came back. If Peppers retires, they still have Jayrone and a shot at resigning Perry or spending a high round pick next year on someone. They seem thinner depth wise this year at ILB since they cut Palmer and with Ryan and Barrington. Pennel's suspension and Raji's retirement make the depth important, but they have Ringo and Boyd comes back from IR.

At the risk of replying to my own post, I've reconsidered that DL is more important by OLB...mostly because the DL lost Raji and more or less Datone as well, as he's essentially taking Neal's role as OLB and spot DL duty. Add Pennel's suspension, and the DL is thinner. Plus they signed that kid from Denver to be another OLB. I still think OT and ILB are need spots, and I think TT goes OL or DL in R1 unless Ragland falls to them. I don't see TT spending a high round pick on an ILB.

Regardless, I'm cool with BPA, and I'm sure TT will draft players that will leave me wondering...

[Bretsky]

ILB

this

[wist43]

At the risk of replying to my own post, I've reconsidered that DL is more important by OLB...mostly because the DL lost Raji and more or less Datone as well, as he's essentially taking Neal's role as OLB and spot DL duty. Add Pennel's suspension, and the DL is thinner. Plus they signed that kid from Denver to be another OLB. I still think OT and ILB are need spots, and I think TT goes OL or DL in R1 unless Ragland falls to them. I don't see TT spending a high round pick on an ILB.

Regardless, I'm cool with BPA, and I'm sure TT will draft players that will leave me wondering...

Wait a second... did I miss something?? Datone Jones is moving to LB??

[Carolina_Packer]

Wait a second... did I miss something?? Datone Jones is moving to LB??

http://totalpackers.com/2016/03/lets...-datone-jones/

He moved during the second half of last season, but because he still split time with DL and never got more than 40% of the defensive snaps, you may not have noticed.

[Striker]

DT, OLB, OL.

With Pennel suspended and Raji gone, they'll need early help. And it doesn't matter how good the ILBs are if the line in front of them is garbage.

And then pass rush (always pass rush) and OL.

[wist43]

http://totalpackers.com/2016/03/lets...-datone-jones/

He moved during the second half of last season, but because he still split time with DL and never got more than 40% of the defensive snaps, you may not have noticed.

I seem to remember discussing that a bit last year... but life is a blur these days and didn't pay much attn.

Jones is waaaaaayyyyyyy too stiff and unathletic to stand up. No way can he drop with any effectiveness, and to think he could break down and tackle in the open field, even in the crowded underneath zones, is a pipe dream.

If they do stand him up it is b/c they have given up on him as a DL and are grasping at straws. They need to resign Neal.

[Carolina_Packer]

I seem to remember discussing that a bit last year... but life is a blur these days and didn't pay much attn.

Jones is waaaaaayyyyyyy too stiff and unathletic to stand up. No way can he drop with any effectiveness, and to think he could break down and tackle in the open field, even in the crowded underneath zones, is a pipe dream.

If they do stand him up it is b/c they have given up on him as a DL and are grasping at straws. They need to resign Neal.

Unfortunately for your view point, the Packers were patient with Neal as he transitioned from DL, cut weight, and learned how to stand up, so they are likely to do the same with Jones. I never heard whether Jones was trying to cut weight, but if Jones was still 280 something during last season, I'd be surprised if that was his playing weight trying to make that change. Perhaps they will keep him a hybrid role where he can still go back to the line for some subs.

[mraynrand]

Packer's defensive MO is versatility. They like to be able to go from a "2-4" to a "3-3" nickel (and even a kind of "4-2" ) alignment with the exact same personnel on the field - if possible. Having Jones be able to 'stand up' out side would help in that regard.

[pbmax]

Wait a second... did I miss something?? Datone Jones is moving to LB??

He is playing the elephant position like Neal. Will be interior pass rusher only in a few specific calls.

I think they are all in on increasing the regularity of the pass rush and see this as a way to get him on the field more. They never seemed to trust him inside versus the run.

[Deputy Nutz]

I don't think Thompson takes an offensive linemen in the first round unless there is a considerable drop off from the linemen that has a 1st round grade and the next guy on the list.

[Deputy Nutz]

Reggie Ragland brings some diversity to the ILB position and has some pass rush skills that makes him an intriguing prospect. If he drops far enough for the Packers I think you kinda have to take him. I wouldn't be sold on Barrington and Ryan in the middle when you can get a possible difference maker like Ragland. Thompson is going to take whatever he values. It most likely will fill a need as most of his picks do, but when you are talking about the offensive and defensive line every team can use more and more quality depth. Defensive linemen also take a while to develop at the NFL level so don't really expect huge contributions if the Packers take a defensive linemen with their first pick. Be prepared to be disappointed in 2016.