Roster needs and draft trends often coalesce to form predictive tools during the NFL draft. Individual teams have specific short or long term needs and positions they tend to value over others come draft time, creating a roadmap for which positions each team will likely target in a draft.
Here are five positions the Green Bay Packers are almost guaranteed to use at least one draft pick on next week:
Wide receiver
This one is a lock. In fact, the Packers will likely use a first-round or Day 2 pick on the position, especially considering the abundance of talent at the top of the class and the offense’s need for a complementary weapon behind Davante Adams. The Packers haven’t taken a receiver in the first two rounds since drafting Adams in the second round in 2014, and it’s been almost two decades since the team took one in the first round (Javon Walker, 2003). The Packers, who have hit on so many high picks at receiver over the last decade and a half, are now well overdue for restocking the passing game with another high pick at the position.
Offensive tackle
The Packers swapped out Bryan Bulaga for Rick Wagner (a net negative), lost Jason Spriggs to the Chicago Bears and haven’t re-signed Jared Veldheer. Starting right guard Billy Turner has some experience at offensive tackle, but as of now the best option at swing tackle is Alex Light, and there’s no long-term answer at right tackle to be found. The Packers haven’t used a draft pick on a true offensive tackle prospect since 2016 (Spriggs), likely the result of having two terrific and reliable bookends in Bulaga and David Bakhtiari. Missing on Spriggs stole away the succession plan. Luckily, this class looks strong at offensive tackle. Expect the Packers to grab one, likely within the first four rounds. Keeping Aaron Rodgers protected during his final years in Green Bay has to be a top priority.
Inside linebacker
The Packers will enter the 2020 draft with a solid argument for possessing the worst group of inside linebackers in the NFL. Christian Kirksey could be a slight upgrade on Blake Martinez, but there’s next to nothing in terms of proven players after him on the depth chart. Oren Burks, a third-round pick in 2018, has labored through two injury-plagued seasons and hasn’t even flashed starting-level ability, while Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton have no regular-season NFL experience at inside linebacker. That’s all this team has at off-ball linebacker. The Packers clearly don’t value this position, but Brian Gutekunst probably can’t leave the draft without one linebacker worth developing. Bucking trends and targeting a potential difference-maker early is possible.
Cornerback
The Packers have poured resources into the cornerback position recently (four picks in the last three drafts, including three top-50 picks), but it remains a sneaky need entering this draft, especially with Tramon Williams unsigned. Josh Jackson is beelining toward bust status, and if the season started today, Chandon Sullivan – who had a nice 2019 season – would be a starter in the slot. Looking down the road, Kevin King is a free agent following the 2020 season. Unless Gutekunst is confident in retaining King long term, the Packers probably need to take a corner they believe can start in the next two years.
Defensive line
The Packers have drafted at least one defensive lineman every year since 1985. It’s hard to see that streak ending this year. The Packers lack depth up front on defense and need help for Pro Bowler Kenny Clark. Ted Thompson, Gutekunst’s old boss, was fond of picking two or more defensive linemen in a draft class, often supplementing a high pick with a late-round selection. Having so many late picks (seven on Day 3) all but guarantees that Gutekunst will grab one at some point in this draft.
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