The Green Bay Packers and the NFL Draft have an interesting, yet predictable, relationship.
The Packers refuse to overspend in free agency. Instead, they rely heavily on the draft-and-develop philosophy to populate their roster. But in order for this philosophy to work, the drafted players need time to develop. A riveting concept that some NFL pundits have yet to understand.
When looking at 2021 draft needs, it is important to understand that the vast majority of players you will see on the field in Green and Gold next year are already on the roster. If the Packers are relying on rookies to be key pieces to this year’s team, they will be in trouble.
The draft is about building the roster to be successful beyond 2021 — when the Packers cap troubles balloon to dangerous levels. That is why the Packers drafted Jordan Love and AJ Dillon in 2020. And that is why they will probably draft a few players that make the Green Bay faithful groan.
In my eyes, the most important position beyond 2021 is cornerback.
Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan are returning on a rental deals for 2021 and Jaire Alexander is a budding superstar. The Packers are almost certainly drafting a player they can develop behind King in 2021 and hoping he can explode onto the scene when King departs. In this situation, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Packers drafted a slew of corners to create a competition. The Packers did this is 2017 with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams draft or in 2018 with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.
With the need for an outside corner and a slot player, the Packers could very easily expand their criteria for any defensive back. Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage have displayed versatility that make it easy to add player-makers — regardless of position — to Joe Barry’s defense. Drafting a guy like Trevon Moehrig would create the always-welcome conundrum of having too many talented players.
Luckily, the Packers have plenty of options in a loaded draft.
First Round Options
Greg Newsome
Caleb Farley
Second Round Options
Elijah Molden
Eric Stokes
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Tyson Campbell
Third Round Options
Aaron Robinson
Paulson Adebo
Fourth Round Options
Keith Taylor
Kary Vincent Jr.
Robert Rochell
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Kirien is a big fan of the Packers, Beer, and Battlestar Galactica. You can follow him on twitter at @KirienSprecher.
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6 responses to “Analyzing the Packers most important draft need”
whether you draft and develop, or make a free agency splash, it is imo an absolute requirment to hit on at least one rookie, and with some luck three rookies that do more than just make important contributrions. For any playoff team to be in legitimate contention for a SB birth, you need rookie starters, or one rookie that plays to near pro bowl level. Example given, you need your low first round pick to play like Clay Matthews did rookie year. Youth is the missing ingredient for any team because no team gets better when you cant keep all your best players. Second and third year jumps are very big too. But its that diamond in the rough rookie that can take a team to the next level most dramatically.
You cant draft 2 1/2 cornerbacks
Problem is many of Packers picks are busts expecially under Thompson so that throws your draft and develop philosophy down the toilet
Packer’s have to pick IDL Barmore should he be available. IDL is #1 need. Stop the run and get a strong rush up the middle makes the job of every LB and DB easier.
Packer’s have to pick IDL Barmore should he be available. IDL is #1 need. Stop the run and get a strong rush up the middle makes the job of every LB and DB easier.