When Considering Packers Draft Needs Dont Forget 2

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GREEN BAY, Wis. Everyone knows the Green Bay Packers biggest needs entering the 2022 NFL Draft. They need multiple receivers, including an immediate difference-maker. Down two starters and and with Elgton Jenkins unlikely to be ready for Week 1, the Packers need offensive linemen. There is no depth at outside linebacker and only five defensive linemen under contract.That instant gratification will be taken care of by general manager Brian Gutekunst, presumably with early-round selections. But, of course, the draft isnt just about today. Its about planning ahead and filling future needs so they dont become holes.With that as a backdrop, here is a quick-hitting, position-by-position look at the Packers through the prism of the future and how it might be addre sed in this draft.Scroll to ContinueThe NFL Draft isn't only about filling immediate needs. It's about addre sing potential needs. QuarterbackA suming Aaron Rodgers Matt Duchene Jersey returns and Jordan Love isnt traded, the Packers will enter 2023 with the same starter-backup situation for a fourth consecutive season. Restarting the proce s of grooming the quarterback of the future is probably a year away. Running BackAJ Dillon is under contract through 2023 and Aaron Jones and Kylin Hill are under contract through 2024. However, Jones cap number will explode next season, making him a potential cash-saving cut. In 12 months, it might be worth using an early-round pick on a running back. For now, theres no reason to invest anything more than a late-round selection to push Hill, who is coming off a torn ACL, and Patrick Taylor. ReceiverThe Packers have short- and long-term needs at receiver. Following the trade of Davante Adams and the departure of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they have only two experienced receivers, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, so getting a receiver or two early in this draft is vital. Beyond that, Lazard will play 2022 under the restricted free-agent tender and Cobbs contract will void after the season. So, not only do the Packers need an instant-impact receiver, they need receivers to potentially replace Lazard and Cobb. Tight EndHeaded by Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, the Packers are carrying an experienced group into 2022. However, Tonyan is playing under only a one-year contract and Lewis deal Patrick Roy Jersey expires after 2022, as well. So, its time to plan ahead and tap into a pretty strong group of prospects. Tonyan is the pa s-catcher/overgrown receiver and Lewis is the dirty-work blocker. Can the Packers find one player to handle both chores, or do they need to double-up? Offensive LineThere are immediate holes. Elgton Jenkins is coming off a torn ACL and might not be ready for Week 1, Billy Turner was released and Lucas Patrick joined the Bears. Looking ahead, the 26-year-old Jenkins is scheduled to be a free agent after the upcoming season. Presumably, preventing that from happening will be a priority for Gutekunst. Players with Jenkins talent and versatility are rare. And the elephant in the room is All-Pro David Bakhtiaris knee. With ma sive cap charges of $29.1 million for 2023 and $33.1 million for 2024, the Packers no doubt are hoping and praying that he'll return to form. Defensive LineThe veteran addition of Jarran Reed takes the pre sure off Gutekunst from having to use a premium pick on the defensive front. Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Reed and TJ Slaton have the makings of forming a high-quality quartet. However, the long-term need is obvious with Reed and Lowry slated to be free agents at the end of the season. The only other defensive linemen under contract are Clark, Slaton and Carl Soderberg Jersey Jack Heflin. Outside LinebackerThis is a big immediate need with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary backed up by the not-so-fearsome foursome of Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, LaDarius Hamilton and Randy Ramsey. I love four guys. Four legit guys that you can have, sub em in, sub em out, whether its situational, red zone, 2-minute, third-down packages, new position coach Jason Rebrovich said on Tuesday. Gary is entering his final season under contract, though the team almost certainly will trigger the fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline to ensure Gary and Smith will be together through at least 2023. Inside LinebackerAll-Pro DeVondre Campbell was retained with a five-year contract before the start of free agency, a ma sive move for Green Bays defense. On a per-snap basis, Krys Barnes actually was more productive than Campbell. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Barnes will be a restricted free agent after this Andreas Martinsen Jersey season. Ty Summers, one of the teams better players on special teams, will be an unrestricted free agent. It will be interesting to see if Gutekunst leaves well enough alone or tries to form a truly elite tandem. CornerbackGreen Bay has three excellent cornerbacks. One of them, Rasul Douglas, re-signed in free agency through 2024. Another, 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, is signed through 2024 with a potential option for 2025. Now, can the Packers retain former All-Pro Jaire Alexander? Their first-round pick in 2018, Alexander is set to play under the fifth-year option this year. The Packers, obviously, would love to keep one of the NFLs premier cornerbacks but it wont be easy given the state of their salary cap. SafetyThis is far and away the biggest look-to-the-future need. With Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, the Packers have one of the better tandems in the NFL. Both players are set to become free agents at the end of the season, though Joe Colborne Jersey theres still time to flip the switch on Savages fifth-year option. There is absolutely no depth behind them. Its fairly easy to envision the Packers using an early pick on a safety. Will he be a pure safety, which would allow Savage to try his hand in the slot? Or will it be a safety with the ability to play in the slot? Special TeamsLongtime kicker Mason Crosby is entering his final season under contract. The teams kicker since 2007, hell have to beat out JJ Molson and Dominik Eberle in training camp to keep the job for a 16th season.