{"id":840931,"date":"2026-03-29T13:54:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T13:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/840931\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T13:54:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T13:54:26","slug":"packers-have-needs-after-first-wave-of-free-agency-pt-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/840931\/","title":{"rendered":"Packers Have Needs After First Wave of Free Agency Pt.2"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Green Bay Packers are about to enter April\u2014aka draft month\u2014and still have needs that must be addressed. Now, don\u2019t get me wrong: the Packers could line up for a game tomorrow and still be competitive with how their roster is currently constructed. But, as Brian Gutekunst has said himself, \u201cplayer acquisition in the NFL is a 365-day-a-year job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last week<\/a>, we evaluated the needs on the offensive side of the ball. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the Packers\u2019 defensive needs, as well as whether there are any gaps on special teams.<\/p>\n

Remember, for an NFL team, a \u201cneed\u201d isn\u2019t always about what must be fixed this season\u2014it\u2019s also about planning for the future. With that in mind, let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n

Player Needs for the Packers Defense<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s break this down by levels, starting with the big guys up front. It certainly seems like the Packers could be moving back to a base 3\u20134 defense, especially with the addition of an outside linebackers coach. That may not be confirmed, but it\u2019s a reasonable assumption.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, the defensive line still needs help. Devonte Wyatt should be able to participate in minicamp this spring, but with Colby Wooden gone and Kenny Clark traded in the deal for Micah Parsons<\/a>, depth is a major concern. Yes, Green Bay added Javon Hargrave, but they still lack a true run-stuffing nose tackle. The Packers can\u2019t go into next season without addressing that.<\/p>\n

Packers Edge Pass Rushers<\/p>\n

The interior line isn\u2019t the only concern. On the edge, the Packers still have one of the best pass rushers in football in Micah Parsons. However, he may miss the start of the season while recovering from his ACL injury.<\/p>\n

Lucas Van Ness has shown improvement over his first three years but hasn\u2019t quite lived up to expectations for a first-round pick. Additionally, the Packers have yet to exercise his fifth-year option, meaning he\u2019s not currently under contract for 2027.<\/p>\n

Green Bay drafted Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver last year, but they can\u2019t assume both will develop into reliable contributors. Adding another edge rusher\u2014either through the draft or post-draft free agency\u2014would make sense.<\/p>\n

Linebacker<\/p>\n

The Packers lost Quay Walker in free agency but acquired Zaire Franklin in a trade. They also have depth pieces in Ty\u2019Ron Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie.<\/p>\n

Overall, this group is solid. Green Bay may look to add competition through undrafted free agents, but linebacker doesn\u2019t feel like a pressing need.<\/p>\n

Cornerback<\/p>\n

This might be the biggest question mark on the roster.<\/p>\n

Some might argue it\u2019s the Packers\u2019 top need\u2014and they\u2019d have a strong case. While the team could roll into the season with Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, and Javon Bullard in the slot, it\u2019s hard to believe they\u2019ll stand pat.<\/p>\n

Expect Green Bay to add at least one more cornerback before the season begins.<\/p>\n

Safeties<\/p>\n

\"Packers<\/p>\n

This is the one position group that feels secure.<\/p>\n

Xavier McKinney is an All-Pro-caliber player, and Evan Williams has shown flashes of Pro Bowl potential. There\u2019s also solid depth with Kitan Oladapo, Jonathan Baldwin, and Bullard potentially contributing here as well.<\/p>\n

The Packers could add bodies for camp, but this isn\u2019t a priority.<\/p>\n

Packers Special Teams<\/p>\n

Green Bay finally addressed the return game with the addition of Skyy Moore and has a strong gunner in Bo Melton. They\u2019re stable at long snapper with Matt Orzech and have a high-upside punter in Daniel Whelan.<\/p>\n

The only real question mark is at kicker. Brandon McManus is 34 and coming off an injury. While Lucas Havrisik provides competition, this will likely be McManus\u2019 job to lose.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead to the Draft<\/p>\n

Now, all eyes turn to the draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As always,<\/p>\n

Go Pack Go!<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily<\/a> and on YouTube at The Packers Family.<\/a>
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\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

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Damon Sewell<\/p>\n

\n Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed Cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. Click on the icons below to follow him on social media.\n <\/p>\n