The 2023 NFL Draft is fast approaching. The Green Bay Packers are still unsure whether the trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers will take before or during the draft or if they need to wait longer. If there is a pre-draft trade, GM Brian Gutekunst could have multiple picks in the early rounds of the draft that could be used to move up or down or to trade picks for players he wants. He could also hold on to the picks and build the team that way.

Here is a look at the Packers short-term and long-term needs at each position heading into the draft. Today’s article will examine the offense while a future article will examine defense and special teams.

Short-term needs are for the 2023 season whether they are for starters or for depth at a given position. Long-term needs are designed to add future starters, to add depth and to replace players who may be retiring, becoming free agents or released for cap reasons in the future.

Quarterbacks:

Short Term Need: Moderate

Jordan Love will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2023 barring a major injury. The former first round pick is the player the team will be building the offense around this season and hopefully beyond if he plays well.

Right now, Danny Etling is the only backup on the roster except for Rodgers who realistically cannot be back in Green Bay after all that has gone on this season between the player and the front office.

The Packers need a backup with experience more than a young player although a developmental quarterback is always a possibility.

Long Term Need: Moderate

A developmental quarterback makes sense as a hedge against Love faltering or to add a quality backup who they can develop over time. This is not a top priority but a day three pick may make sense for Gutekunst.

Running Back:

Short Term Need: Moderately Low

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon give the Packers one of the better duos in the league at the top of their depth chart. Jones is more of a one-cut, speed runner while Dillon runs best between the tackles. The duo combined to gain nearly 1,900 yards rushing. Both are capable receivers as well with Jones having finished second on the team with 59 catches.

Patrick Taylor gives the Packers experienced depth with Tyler Goodson returning after a year on the practice squad to fight for a position.

Long Term Need: Moderately High

Dillon is entering the last year of his rookie contract and the team must decide if they want to sign him to a new deal. Jones took less money to stay in Green Bay but may have to restructure his deal again next offseason to remain in Green Bay. Jones will also turn 29 in December which is old for a running back so even if Jones returns, developing a successor would make plenty of sense for the Packers.

It’s unlikely Jones and Dillon will both be back in 2024 and it’s possible both won’t return. There is a need to add depth at this position with an eye towards the future.

Wide Receiver:

Short Term Need: High

The Packers are thin at this position with only four players on the current roster and none with more than one year of NFL experience. The departure of Allen Lazard and the likely departure of Randall Cobb leaves the team even thinner at wideout than last year when they were still trying to deal with the loss of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Christian Watson shows a lot of potential but has yet to prove he can be the number one receiver for an entire season. Romeo Doubs had a solid rookie year when healthy and the Packers are hoping for a second-year jump from that duo plus 2022, seventh-round pick Samori Toure. Bo Melton is the only other receiver on the roster but he has yet to take a snap in an NFL game.

The Packers may look to sign a veteran free agent if they can afford one but they’ll likely spend a day one or two pick on a receiver again this season.

Long Term Need: Moderately High

The Packers will also likely add a developmental receiver on day three of the draft as they look to add depth and players who can contribute more in the future. Love needs more weapons and Gutekunst is likely to add a few more in this draft.

Tight End:

Short Term Need: High

There has been a lot of turnaround here. Robert Tonyan is now a Chicago Bear while Marcedes Lewis is still an unrestricted free agent and may not return. Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis are the only experienced players on the roster now. Deguara is primarily used as an H-back and fullback while Davis is primarily a special teams contributor.

The Packers need a quality downfield threat at this position and a quality blocker to replace Lewis if he doesn’t return. The need is immediate and large and the Packers should address this position on the first or second day of the draft and possibly again on day three.

Long Term Need: Moderately High

Nobody on the roster is proven as a long-term solution at tight end. The Packers need to add multiple players here, some who will be expected to step in quickly and others who may be developmental players who will start off playing special teams and hopefully grow into a larger role on the offense. Deguara is also entering the last year of his entry-level contract and would have to be re-signed to return in 2024.

Offensive Line:

Short Term Need: Moderately Low

The Packers presently have six or seven starting-caliber offensive linemen on the roster. David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr. and Zach Tom are all returning with Yosh Nijman currently a restricted free agent on a second-round tender who is likely to be back.

The Packers also have last year’s third-round pick, Sean Rhyan on the roster and former starter Royce Newman available.

The team has quality starters and some depth here although they’re always looking to fortify the position.

Long Term Need: Moderate

With Bakhtiari turning 32 in September, his eventual successor must be drafted and developed. Obviously, Bakhtiari has had issues staying on the field in recent seasons although the team feels the knee injury which cost him nearly the entire 2021 season and parts of 2022 is now behind him. If Nijman isn’t back, the need at tackle goes up even more.

Gutekunst has added three offensive linemen in each of the last three drafts. He will likely add some more long-term pieces along the offensive line again this year and possibly even early in the draft even if that player may not start right away.

 

 

 

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