As always happens after a loss, no matter how meaningless, you’d think the season was over based on the reaction from entitlement town following the Packers’ game against the Bears. So let’s go through a checklist to follow for the Packers offseason then we’ll check back in on it once the season is actually over, which, admittedly, could be a week from now.
Reconfigure the Defensive Line
I think there’s a way to improve the defensive line with one addition: move Lukas Van Ness and maybe even Rashan Gary inside. Van Ness has the frame to be a Justin Smith like player and Gary’s strengths lend themselves to playing inside. They’re just too big to be speed rushers in this 4-3 defense, but not too small, assuming they beef up a little in the offseason, to hold up inside on any down that isn’t an obvious run down.
You can still use both on the edge in short distance and make a stout run defense even stouter.
The next step would be to acquire a legitimate speed rusher. Not a smaller guy who is crafty, but someone who can actually bend the edge. Someone we haven’t had since rookie contract Clay Matthews. Some would say that person should be Quay Walker and I tend to believe in that a little but he would need some great coaching to learn some pass rush moves because right now he’s sort of just a cannonball hoping to get free.
Acquire a Reliable Number One Corner
Everyone seems to think Jaire Alexander already has one foot out the door and based on his current contract numbers and the number of games he’s played over the last four seasons he just might. Alexander is such a jenga piece for this defense that I hope they find a way to keep him. Maybe that means doing a Preston Smith and reducing his contract but adding in a bunch of incentives. Maybe it just means biting the bullet.
Either way, they need to spend some capital on another corner who can do what Alexander does but do it in every game and not half of them. When Alexander is on the field, you don’t have to worry about whoever he’s guarding. You can play zone with him locked in man. You can double the number one receiver knowing he’ll lock down the number two. You can put him in zone and know he’ll have better instincts than just about anyone else on the field on where to be. He had the highest cornerback contract in the league for a few years and when he played and was right he deserved it.
I’m not sure how you get another one of those. Maybe try to sign DJ Reed? Maybe trade for Jalen Ramsey and hope he has a couple more years? There aren’t a lot of great players in free agency.
DJ Reed is probably the best fit and the clear best corner in free agency, but he’s 5’9″ 187 lbs. Are they going to bet $20mm+ per year on another small corner? I’d rather have a smaller corner who can move from sideways than a tall one like Eric Stokes but I don’t know how you run a defense with two short ones.
Acquire a Wide Receiver 1?
Up until Sunday morning I was on team Christian Watson is a WR1 so the Packers don’t need one. Now that he may have a torn ACL, the Packers need to make a move. Even if Watson turns out to be OK, something needs to be done this offseason.
The Packers have two problems: when Watson isn’t playing, the defense doesn’t care about defending deep and smothers the intermediate routes; when he is playing, no one consistently gets open to convert third downs.
Earlier this season, it seemed like Jayden Reed would be that guy. Since about week six, he’s looked like a different, lesser, player. Dontayvion Wicks has the route running and gets open a good amount but then he drops the ball. Doubs has a little of both problems.
So if it looks like Watson is going to miss or be hobbled for most of the season, they need to seriously think about using the first-round pick on a receiver or signing someone like Tee Higgins or even Amari Cooper to attract double coverage. If they want to go the speed route to mimic Watson, Darius Slayton could be a cheap option.
If Watson can play, look for someone like a late-career Davante Adams who can convert third downs.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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