Green Bay Packers Post Draft Commentary

The Green Bay Packers took a step backwards last season as they won only 6 games. Part of the drop off in wins can be attributed to breaking in a new quarterback, but Aaron Rodgers was not the sole reason the Packers lost 10 games. The lack of a consistent defense hurt the Packers hopes as much as anything else in the 2008 season. In 2009, the team will be switching to a 3-4 defense under new Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers. Making the switch to a 3-4 usually takes 2 years as the personnel required to run the scheme are different than a 4-3.

The Packers biggest issue in switching to a 3-4 is their lack of a true nose tackle and issues at inside linebacker. Nose tackle was addressed with the selection of B. J. Raji. With Raji’s selection, the Packers can move Ryan Pickett to defensive end at times and improve the team’s overall depth along the defensive line. Raji does fill a major hole along the defensive front, but the team still lacks depth to be a top tire unit in any scheme. The Packers still face the prospect of relying on Justin Harrell and his career 27 tackles at right defensive end. Harrell has been an underachiever this far into his career, and expecting him to suddenly produce may be a flight of fancy. It is likely the team will work the waiver wire in an effort to bring in some competition for the position.

Outside linebacker was also an issue as the team did not have a weak side linebacker; a requisite for the 3-4 scheme. The Packers moved up into the latter half of Round 1 to grab Clay Matthews in an effort to secure a player for the position. Matthews fills a void, but the team has no one behind him that can play the same position, meaning the Packers are an injury away from having trouble bringing pressure from a base 3-4 front. A somewhat underrated position in terms of importance is inside linebacker. Neither A. J. Hawk nor Nick Barnett are 3-4 inside linebackers and will likely have trouble handling the requirements of the position. Both players are better when allowed to operate in space, rather than taking on blockers and making plays. The play of the inside linebackers will go a long way in determining the success of the new scheme.

The Packers needed to address their offensive line; in particular offensive tackle. Mark Tauscher is still recovering from a leg injury and left tackle Chad Clifton is 33 this year. Both position needed to be addressed and the team used a 4th and 5th round selections to try and fill the void. Jamon Meredith has a chance to be a steal of the draft if he can play up to his ability and shed some of the locker room concerns he brought with him from South Carolina. If Meredith can get his head straight, he will bring a great deal of versatility to the team as he can play 4 positions along the line and could very easily start.

The Packers did have some holes to fill, and they did address them for the most part. But, their lack of a concerted effort to find another defensive end may come back to haunt them. The team is still thin in terms of depth at most linebacker positions and there does not appear to be a real 3-4 inside linebacker on the team at this time. These two issues could hold the team back from challenging for the division crown in 2009. The Packers did try and add another warm body to the secondary as it braces for the inevitable departure of either Al Harris or Charles Woodson in the near future, but this position already had some players waiting in the wings. The Packers could jump up and surprise in the NFC North, but their lack of overall depth at certain positions could prove to be the difference between a winning season and a mediocre one.

Pre Draft Needs: OL, DL, OLB