The Green Bay Packers have clear needs going into the 2020 NFL draft, but how the team’s decision-makers prioritize roster needs might look a lot different than outsiders probably expect.
For example, while inside linebacker might be the team’s weakest position, there’s a very good chance the Packers won’t have it as the draft’s top priority. Combining roster needs with how the team has generally prioritized positions helps paint a more clear picture.
Here’s a look at how the Packers might prioritize needs in the draft:
1. Offensive tackle: Rick Wagner is a decent downgrade from Bryan Bulaga. He’s coming off a terrible season, will turn 31 in October and might be only a stop-gap starter at right tackle, and the Packers don’t have a legitimate backup at either left or right tackle. This is a premium position. Protecting Aaron Rodgers over the duration of his final contract in Green Bay has to be a top priority.
2. Receiver: Finding a pass-catcher to complement Davante Adams has to get done, and this is the perfect draft class to do it. Signing Devin Funchess to a one-year deal shouldn’t stop the Packers from grabbing one or more of the receivers from this deep and talented class. The team’s interest in several free-agent receivers reinforces the belief that help at the receiver position is a top priority in this draft.
3. Cornerback: Don’t be surprised if the Packers see cornerback as a bigger priority than both defensive line and inside linebacker. It’s one of the premium positions to GM Brian Gutekunst, and present and future needs loom large. Tramon Williams is unsigned, Kevin King will be a free agent after 2020 and Josh Jackson looks like a big bust. The current starter in the slot would be Chandon Sullivan.
4. Defensive line: The Packers need much better two-gapping players up front, although Gutekunst expressed confidence in the group that will return in 2020. In almost every case, the Packers have prioritized big people along the line of scrimmage over linebackers.
5a. Inside linebacker: Blake Martinez is right – the Packers really don’t value this position. Christian Kirksey, Oren Burks, Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton create one of the worst linebacker groups in football, but the Packers might like the group a lot more than outsiders. The front office and Mike Pettine seem to be on the same page about the position’s value.
5b. Hybrid safety/linebacker: The Packers might bunch these two together, considering how often Pettine uses a safety down in the box at linebacker. If a guy can play safety and help at linebacker, his value will rise significantly for the Packers.
6. Tight end: The Packers released Jimmy Graham and made a run at Austin Hooper, so there’s a decent chance tight end should be higher on this list than inside linebacker. The team is banking on Jace Sternberger taking a big step, and Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan are both back.
7. Interior offensive line: Billy Turner had a shaky first season at right guard, and center Corey Linsley will be a free agent after the 2020 season. The need is lessened slightly by Lane Taylor, who remains on the roster, and Lucas Patrick, who the Packers re-signed last year. Cole Madison also returns.
8. Running back: How the Packers handle Aaron Jones’ contract year will be super interesting. What if they just keep recycling through midround picks? Well-run teams should be able to find good/capable runners on Day 3 of the draft every year.
Wild card 1: Quarterback
This is an impossible position to rank. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, but he’ll turn 37 during the 2020 season and quarterback is the most valuable position in the game. Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur have both said the position is too important for a team to pass up a potentially great player. If the right player is there, the Packers sound ready to pounce, regardless of round.
Wild card 2: Edge rusher
The Packers used major resources to acquire Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary last year, but Pettine loves putting versatile rushers on the field in passing situations, and losing Kyler Fackrell robbed the Packers of a rusher/coverage combo. This position is like quarterback – teams don’t pass on really good ones. Stockpiling players who can disrupt the quarterback is rarely a bad team-building strategy.