3 biggest areas of need for Green Bay Packers after first wave of free agency

The Green Bay Packers have been uncharacteristically busy this offseason. Known for being a team that rarely splurges on free agents, the team decided to add a couple of big names.

First, the team added the best safety on the mark, Xavier McKinney. Then, the team added running back Josh Jacobs. In addition, the team released left tackle David Bakhtiari and running back Aaron Jones. Both Bakhtiari and Jones were staples of the Green Bay roster for years, but the team is getting younger and opted to move on from the veterans.

The Packers already replaced Aaron Jones with Jacobs, and a reunion with A.J. Dillon is reportedly in the works as well. The McKinney addition makes up for the loss of Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens. However, nothing has been done to address the offensive line just yet.

Knowing the Packers, the team is probably content addressing most of the remaining needs in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, there are still several spots that need to be filled and the team may add a few more veterans.

Today, let’s identify the three biggest areas of need on the roster after the initial wave of free agency.

Left tackle

David Bakhtiari was hardly ever available, so the team has known for a while that they need an heir apparent at left tackle.

Rasheed Walker performed admirably in 2023. As a former seventh-round pick, the Packers have already gotten more out of Walker than they ever dreamed of. The tackle earned a respectable 66.4 PFF grade in 2023, but he struggled a bit in pass protection. Walker allowed six sacks on the year, which was tied for the 15th-most of any tackle.

The Packers would be okay with Walker starting, but they can certainly do better. Veteran All-Pro Tyron Smith is still available, or the team could prefer to snag one of the many talented tackles in the 2024 NFL Draft. Either way, competition has to be added here.

Free safety

Darnell Savage has moved on to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Currently, the Packers have just Anthony Johnson Jr. and Benny Sapp III on the roster at the position.

Johnson is a 2023 seventh-round pick who started in four games for the Packers as a rookie. The defensive back collected 24 tackles and one interception. However, PFF was not a fan of the rookie’s work in coverage, giving Johnson a 45.6 grade. The Packers would be wise to add a veteran to a young position group.

As far as remaining free agents, the team could bring in former division rival Eddie Jackson. Justin Simmons and Marcus Maye are other quality free agents who are on the market. Otherwise, the team may address the position in the second round. Still, I’d prefer to have a veteran in the room.

Cornerback

The Packers need to add depth to the corner room. Jaire Alexander is a star when healthy, but he played in just seven games in 2023. Behind Alexander, the team currently rosters Corey Ballentine, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, and return specialist Keisean Nixon. Even with a healthy Alexander, depth is needed.

Unfortunately, the corner market is rather thin at this point. Xavien Howard and Adoree’ Jackson are among the best remaining players. Several mock drafts have the Packers going with a corner in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on the current roster, it seems like either a tackle or a corner are the smart moves with the team’s first pick.

If the Packers sign one of the veteran corners, expect a tackle in the first round, and vice versa.