Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has said, on many different occasions, that working to improve his roster is a never-ending job. Constantly shuffling the roster on the fringes has been a hallmark of Gutekunst’s tenure, and he hasn’t been afraid to add veteran players at need spots.
Here are five positions the Packers could look to improve before the start of the 2020 season:
Offensive tackle
The backup offensive tackle entering training camp is … Alex Light? Billy Turner? To be determined? The competition at swing tackle – generally an important position for any contending team – lacks depth and experience. Maybe the Packers would consider bringing back Jared Veldheer, who saved the day to end last season, if the young tackles aren’t good enough during camp. Finding a capable No. 3 offensive tackle has to be a top priority this summer, regardless of whether the answer arrives internally or from an outside addition.
Ideal option: Veldheer
Defensive line
This should be a prime position to upgrade, either during camp or after cuts. There are plenty of good veterans available right now, including Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels and Timmy Jernigan. Adding one at some point makes a lot of sense for a group that wasn’t good enough last season and isn’t all that different personnel-wise from the end of 2019. At the very least, adding a veteran makes more sense than banking on legitimate improvement from a disappointing player like Montravius Adams.
Ideal option: Harrison
Inside linebacker
Each of the last two summers, Gutekunst has had to make a move to add a starting inside linebacker. He added Antonio Morrison in 2018 and B.J. Goodson in 2019, both times after an injury to Oren Burks. This year, Burks will battle with Curtis Bolton (who is starting the season on PUP), Ty Summers and Kamal Martin for the starting job next to Christian Kirksey. If injuries strike again, or the young linebackers aren’t ready to play snaps, Gutekunst will need to make another move. Linebackers who can play a two-down role aren’t generally hard to find late in the summer. Maybe Clay Matthews would return to Green Bay and play it again.
Ideal option: Matthews, Nigel Bradham
Wide receiver
Losing Devin Funchess to an opt-out this season hurt an already shaky depth chart at receiver. Davante Adams and Allen Lazard will likely be the top two, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a good bet to make the roster and a receiver like Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow or Reggie Begelton could impress during camp, but this position could use a little spice. Can Gutekunst find a speedy or shifty slot receiver once cuts are made? A lot of receivers get cut as teams get down to 53 players. Don’t be surprised if the Packers GM shuffles the bottom of the depth chart here.
Ideal option: Taylor Gabriel
Cornerback
Can Chandon Sullivan handle the slot? And will a recent draft pick like Josh Jackson or Ka’dar Hollman step up and secure an important backup role? If the answers to these questions end up being no, the Packers may need to make a move before the start of the regular season. Teams don’t generally throw away capable corners, so it’ll be tough to find quality after cuts. The Packers just shouldn’t play games with cornerback depth. Bringing back Tramon Williams, who played the slot at a high-level in Green Bay last season, makes the most sense.
Ideal option: Tramon Williams
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