Going into the 2020 NFL draft, Packers Wire identified the biggest need positions for GM Brian Gutekunst, separating the individual position groups into three different categories: primary needs, secondary needs and tertiary needs.
During the 2019 draft, the Packers attacked most of their biggest needs. This year, Gutekunst mostly did the opposite, taking a much different path to build his roster. Clearly, outside perceptions did not match the Packers’ internal plans in 2020.
Here’s a look at how the Packers addressed their many current and future needs during the 2020 draft:
Primary needs
Offensive tackle: The Packers see sixth-round pick Jon Runyan as an interior offensive lineman. Despite losing Bryan Bulaga and not re-signing Jared Veldheer, the team didn’t take a single offensive tackle for the fourth straight draft. The Packers may go into 2020 with Lions castoff Rick Wagner as the expected starter at right tackle and Alex Light, who struggled in 2019, as the swing tackle. Big downgrade here. The Packers must be certain that Wagner is going to be an effective player.
Receiver: It was well past time to restock the weaponry at receiver with a young talent. The Packers hadn’t drafted a receiver in the first two rounds since Davante Adams in 2014. Surprisingly, Gutekunst avoided the receiver position again, shocking most observers who highlighted the Packers as prime candidates to dip into the draft’s deep receiver pool. The 31 other NFL teams drafted 36 receivers. The Packers, clearly confident in the receiver group as currently constructed, did nothing but sign undrafted free agent Darrell Stewart.
Linebacker: The only primary need the Packers addressed in the draft. It took them until the fifth round. Can Kamal Martin, the 175th overall pick, play meaningful snaps as a rookie? Even if Christian Kirksey is a slight upgrade on Blake Martinez, it’s hard to envision this position group being much better overall in 2020.
Secondary needs
Defensive line: The Packers added veterans Gerald Willis pre-draft and Treyvon Hester post-draft, possibly lessening the need to add someone in the draft. Gutekunst implied before the draft that the Packers were, for better or worse, confident in the returning group. Also, it was a weak class of defensive linemen, and the Packers clearly wanted to address the offense early on.
Cornerback: Not re-signing Tramon Williams gave the appearance that the Packers would target a cornerback in the draft. They didn’t, and Williams remains unsigned. The Packers did add Stanford Samuels and Will Sunderland after the draft, and they were both Day 3-type talents. The cornerback group looks strong but could get ugly fast, with Williams un-signed, Kevin King entering the final year of his deal and Josh Jackson entering bust territory.
Tight end: Finding a tight end to pair with Jace Sternberger long-term looked like a real possibility. The Packers think they’ve found that guy in third-round pick Josiah Deguara. A tough, versatile player, Deguara can play the move tight end role, possibly freeing up Sternberger to be more of a receiving weapon.
Running back: I was hesitant to put running back in the “secondary” tier of needs pre-draft, but the Packers clearly saw this position as a bigger need than outsiders. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will both be free agents following the 2020 season, and the Packers clearly want to run the football more. A.J. Dillon, the team’s second-round pick, provides long-term security and the potential for immediate impact.
Tertiary needs
Edge rusher: The Packers lost Kyler Fackrell in free agency, creating a small need for a fourth edge rusher behind the two Smiths and Rashan Gary. They took a seventh-round swing on Jonathan Garvin, who will now compete with returning veterans Tim Williams, Randy Ramsey and Greg Roberts to be the No. 4 outside linebacker. Signing Tipa Galeai and Delontae Scott post-draft solidified this position further.
Interior offensive line: Corey Linsley will be a free agent following the 2020 season, and right guard Billy Turner struggled in 2019, so clearly the Packers saw the interior of the offensive line as a bigger area of need than I imagined. Gutekunst drafted three players on Day 3 that are likely headed inside in the NFL. Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson and Simon Stepaniak all help remake the look of the depth chart at guard and center. Lucas Patrick, Lane Taylor and Cole Madison are all on notice.
Quarterback: The thought here was that the Packers should wait a year or two before selecting the future successor to Aaron Rodgers. It made good financial and roster-building sense. Gutekunst disagreed, trading up for Jordan Love in the first round. They think they have a special talent in Love. He’ll get some time to develop behind Rodgers. At the very least, Love should be an upgrade on Tim Boyle.
Safety: The Packers signed Adrian Amos, drafted Darnell Savage in the first round, re-signed Will Redmond and will bring back Raven Greene from injury. Overall, it’s a strong group. Adding seventh-round pick Vernon Scott adds competition to an increasingly important position group for Mike Pettine.
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