Clint Lamb
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The NFL is a passing league nowadays. That means you better have two things on defense: guys who can cover and guys who can get after the quarterback.
The Green Bay Packers have the horses needed for an effective pass rush. The Za’Darius Smith and Rashan Gary duo is solid on the edge, even if Preston Smith’s expected release creates some minor depth issues. That especially holds true when you add interior guys such as Kenny Clark into the mix.
There’s still a lot of work to be done at cornerback, though.
All-Pro Jaire Alexander is clearly one of the best players at his position, but Kevin King is set to hit free agency and more depth and impact is needed. In fact, Freddie Boston with Lombardi Ave believes Green Bay should double down at that spot this offseason.
This offseason, cornerback appears to be the Packers’ biggest need. Alexander is an All-Pro but King might not be back. Chandon Sullivan had a solid season in the slot but struggled in the NFC title game. Meanwhile, the depth behind the starters has been somewhat nonexistent.
Cornerback is an obvious need, and it wouldn’t hurt for the Packers to double-dip — or at least double-up — to address that need. But there are other needs as well, particularly along the offensive line and at linebacker.
Let’s also not forget that the front office ignored getting Aaron Rodgers more help during the draft last season. That obviously lit a fire under the future Hall of Fame quarterback, but it would be wise not to press their luck.
The need to get stronger on the perimeter opposite Alexander should be a priority. It’s just a matter of how they address it. An early- and late-round pick? Or maybe a Day 1-2 pick and an impact free agent? We’ll see.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
Nah they’ll probably draft Jordan Love’s backup.
Thinking the same thing, Ray, before I scrolled down to the responses LMAO!
Yep, drafting Favre’s successor was a mistake, huh? And all this talk about a lack of talent on offense…really? They had the #1 offense in the league, and Adams/Rodgers/Jones are arguably among the top 3 at their positions along with the O-line before Bahktiari got hurt. And the media story about no first round draft picks at WR is not a story – here’s all the WRs drafted in the 2nd round: Jordy Nelson, D Adams, Cobb, Greg Jennings. So enough already. The best way to help Rodgers at this point in his career is with a top defense and running game, which is why they invested in AJ Dillon.
Thinking this past season Aaron used up so much of the cosmic mojo he receives when he goes full hologram mode that his best days just ended. He tried everything possible to get to the SUPE and fell short (no thanks to GB management), and with his wedding coming up I don’t see his focus being what it was this past year.
Brady still has that chip on his shoulder, much like Aaron, but 10 years out in the cold, and 10 years since a Super Bowl, and no clear vision of success down the road can cause a top-tier athlete to take a mental breather from the grind, if not decide to shut it down completely and coast. How many athletes have we seen that got “their contract” and then went almost MIA the next few seasons?
Aaron’s not that kinda guy, but he’s already received $98MIL in guarantees and his contract extension runs thru the 2023 season. Anybody think he’s not missing NoCal right about now?
He used the Jordan Love fiasco to fuel his drive this past season…what does he have left to stoke a fire in his gut? Lambeau and Lombardi are always in the air, but Aaron was never was a physical specimen/500 sit ups guy, so next year “The Pack” better have a Plan B.
The packers should get a veteran receiver and cornerback in free agency – both on short term deals – and draft developmental prospects at the same positions in rounds 1-3. If the packers want to stay SB contenders, they need veteran help at key positions. It’s not about getting through the regular season and winning division, it’s about the opponents they face in the postseason that is usually their undoing. They don’t have enough horses to win big postseason games. Gutey better have a plan to improve the roster this offseason.