The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching. The Green Bay Packers enter the draft with 11 selections including five in the first 100 picks as a result of the trades for Aaron Rodgers and Rasul Douglas. That could give GM Brian Gutekunst the ammunition needed to trade 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 2024 NFL draft.
Today’s article will examine the offense while a future article will examine defense and special teams.
Short-term needs are for the 2024 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.
Packers 2024 Draft Needs on Offense Quarterbacks: Short Term Need, Low
Jordan Love will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2024 and beyond assuming he signs the extension that is presently being negotiated with the team. The former first round pick had an inconsistent start to the season but was one of the best quarterbacks in the league in the second half of the year.
Right now, second-year man Sean Clifford is the backup quarterback. He threw one pass during the regular season as a rookie. The Penn State alum showed promise in the preseason, but his lack of arm strength may prevent him from being more than a career backup.
Alex McGough spent the season on the practice squad and will be back in camp to compete for a roster spot.
Long Term Need: Moderately Low
The Packers don’t have a great need at quarterback, but Gutekunst indicated the team will return to Ron Wolf’s strategy of taking a flier on a developmental quarterback in the late rounds of the draft. That could mean the team takes a quarterback on day three.
Packers 2024 Draft Needs on Offense, Running Backs: Short Term Need, Moderate
The Packers signed free agent Josh Jacobs to replace Aaron Jones as the primary back. That makes the team younger at the position and hopefully more durable. A.J. Dillon signed a team-friendly deal to remain with the team as RB2. He gives the team size and a different running style than Jacobs.
Emanuel Wilson is third on the depth chart and showed promise in the preseason and in limited regular-season action. Ellis Merriweather spent time on the practice squad and will compete for a job in training camp.
Long Term Need: Moderate
Dillon’s contact makes it easy for the team to walk away from him if they choose to. The Packers are likely to add a running back on day three to compete for a roster spot or at least a place on the practice squad. This isn’t an urgent need, but the Packers could certainly use some depth and competition here.
Packers 2024 Draft Needs on Offense, Wide Receiver: Short Term Need Low
Wide receiver went from being one of the team’s biggest needs a year ago to one of the deepest positions on the roster right now.
In the last two drafts, Gutekunst has selected a total of six wideouts which fortified the position. While the team does not have a clear-cut number one receiver, there are plenty of candidates on the roster with the potential to claim the position.
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure are the most experienced players of the group. They are joined by 2023 rookie picks Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose.
Malik Heath and Bo Melton provided depth and played well when they got the chance. Thyrick Pitts is also on the roster.
Long Term Need: Low
The Packers have at least six solid players here and some depth behind them as well. While Gutekunst may choose to add some competition to this unit, the group is young. In fact, all of them are on entry-level contracts. The Pack could easily wait a year before adding to this group. If Gutekunst finds someone too good to pass up, he could pick a receiver, but it’s not necessary.
Packers Draft Needs on Offense, Tight End: Short Term Need Moderately Low
Gutekunst selected Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft on Day 2 of the 2023 draft and both had strong rookie campaigns. The team hopes they can make a year two jump and improve even further.
Ben Sims was the third tight end and did a solid job in the role. The team also re-signed Tyler Davis who missed all of 2023 due to a preseason injury. He will contribute primarily on special teams. Joel Wilson is also on the roster.
Since Josiah Deguara signed with the Jaguars, the team may look for a fullback/H-back type. Henry Pearson will return to fight for a spot in training camp.
Long Term Need: Moderately Low
Like wide receiver, this group is young, and all the players are on entry-level deals. Fullback/H-back is often a year-to-year type position. Again, there is no urgency here, but depth and competition are always welcome.
Packers 2024 Draft Needs on Offense, Offensive Line: Short Term Need Moderate
The Packers have starting caliber players at four of the five positions and a question at the other spot. Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers and Zach Tom are established starters. The right guard spot is up for grabs after Jon Runyan signed with the Giants. Sean Rhyan is the current frontrunner for the right guard spot.
The Packers may look for upgrades at left tackle, center and for competition at right guard. Depth is also an issue after swing tackle Yosh Nijman left via free agency. Royce Newman is the only backup guard, and the team would be in trouble if they had to start him for any extended time.
The team also has some developmental offensive linemen like Caleb Jones, Kadeem Telfort, and Luke Tenuta to compete for roster spots.
Long Term Need: Moderate
Myers’ contract expires after the 2024 season, and he hasn’t lived up to expectations as a second-round pick. Rhyan is unproven so competition along the interior is needed.
The team often looks for depth on day three of the draft and has found some real gems in the later rounds. Expect the Pack to do more of the same in this year’s draft.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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