The Green Bay Packers are putting all of their focus on the final five weeks of the 2023 regular season. At 6-6, they are currently holding down the last Wild Card spot in the NFC but are hoping to strengthen their grip in the coming weeks.
While that is where the focus of the coaching staff and players is, there are probably a few people who have already begun turning their attention to 2024. With the college football regular season over and Bowl Season upon us, NFL teams are going to start ramping up their scouting and evaluations.
The NFL Draft is an opportunity for teams to build the foundations of their rosters. The Packers have done a great job of filling gaps on their roster in recent years as they have the youngest team in the league but are already competing for a playoff spot.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers Updates
General manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFluer have done a great job laying the foundation and they will have a chance to continue improving upon it in 2024. In the opinion of ESPN NFL analyst Feild Yates, the Packers are the sleeper team to dominate the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“The Bears are the non-sleeper choice with those two early first-rounders, but a fellow NFC North team is also one to keep an eye on: Green Bay is equipped with five picks in the first three rounds, including a potential top-40 pick via the Jets (acquired in the Rodgers trade). The Packers have the youngest roster in the NFL, and GM Brian Gutekunst could continue to stockpile the young talent. Conversely, he could also consolidate picks and move up the board to address their most pressing needs,” wrote Yates.
Identifying what the most pressing need for the Packers right now isn’t overly difficult. Jordan Love has shown improvement as the season has moved along. If they make the playoffs he will be the starter in 2024 and likely beyond that.
The offensive line could use an infusion of talent, especially at left tackle where veteran David Bakhtiari was unable to stay healthy; that is a position to keep an eye on. Green Bay could look to snag a bonafide No. 1 option at wide receiver if they do not think they can count on Christian Watson to consistently fill that spot.
NFL News & Rumors: Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers Updates
Running back AJ Dillon will be a free agent and Aaron Jones could be a cap casualty, making the position arguably the No. 1 need on the roster in the offseason.
Defensively, the Packers need some help in their secondary, specifically at safety. The depth at cornerback is being tested late in the season with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes banged up as well. The defensive front is loaded with young, high-upside talent but another pass rusher could be on the needs list with Preston Smith now on the wrong side of 30.
With their salary cap situation improving, the Packers should be able to fill plenty of their holes in the offseason. Their youth movement is off to an excellent start, as the risks they took this past summer are paying off.
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