With The Offensive Side Of The Ball Already Analyzed, Let’s Take A Look At The Packers Biggest Draft Needs On Defense.
We looked at the offensive side of the ball in part one of our analysis of the Green Bay Packers draft needs. We’ll examine what potential 2024 goals Jeff Hafley, the new defensive coordinator, might have in this article. The defensive needs for the Green Bay Packers in 2024 are broken down here.
The Three Greatest Defense Draft Needs for the Packers
Though it seems unlikely, it seems the Packers may once more need to invest more money in their defense. Brian Gutekunst has selected defensive players with seven first-round selections since taking over as general manager. They may add their eighth pick this year since they have an additional first-round pick.
Matt LaFleur, the head coach, recently appointed his third defensive coordinator. LaFleur kept Mike Pettine on staff even though he wasn’t hired by Mike McCarthy. The Packers defense is not well-represented by having three different defensive coordinators in six years.
Even if Gutekunst assembled a very strong Packers draft class in 2023, the defense’s pick this year will be crucial. Some people will begin to doubt Gutekunst if Hafley and the Green Bay Packers defense stumble once more. Rather than blaming the defensive coordinator, they should begin by criticizing Gutekunst and his defensive draft skills.
The Packers have a number of defensive needs going into 2017 draft. For Jeff Hafley’s new 4-3 defensive scheme, a few are essential. Given the limited salary cap space, Gutekunst will have to look for assistance at the draft.
Security
In an ideal world, the Packers would trade for Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals and sign safety Antoine Winfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Packers operate differently, particularly since they are not subject to a salary cap. Thus, in this year’s draft, Gutekunst will need to select not one, but two safety prospects.
The safety position needs the biggest overhaul of any position on the Green Bay Packers team. By 2023, it was becoming increasingly clear that safety was a vulnerability. Nor did their play much alter that way of thinking.
Previously selected in the first round It’s still early for Darnell Savage to live up to his draft status. With one year remaining on his contract, he has one final opportunity to establish his worth. Other seasoned guards Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford are both free agents. There’s a possibility that one of them will come back, but more for special teams than for security. seventh-round selection in 2023 During his debut season, Anthony Johnson Jr. played a limited role. However, given his lack of depth, Johnson Jr. might get more playing time in 2024.
Now is the moment to completely restructure the role. Because of this, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Packers selected two or more safety prospects in the draft. The top two safeties in this year’s draft are Tyler Nubin of Minnesota and Kamren Kinchens of Miami. If the Packers select one of them in this year’s draft, it wouldn’t be shocking.
Linebacker inside
With Hafley switching to a 4-3 system, inside linebacker becomes a key pick for the Green Bay Packers in 2024. With Quay Walker, the Packers appear to have a solid one. Walker has had some difficult times, particularly mentally, but he can work well under Hafley’s plan.
Walker has secured one of the three starting positions, leaving the other two open. De’Vondre Campbell, a seasoned player, looks to have played his final game with the Packers. During training camp, Campbell signed as a free agent and had a career-high season in 2021. However, he has struggled ever since to maintain his health, and even on the rare occasions when he was well, he struggled. He’s probably going to be this off-season’s salary cap casualty.
Isaiah McDuffie, a third-year linebacker, ought to be the front-runner for one of the final two spots behind Walker. In 2023, he spent more time on defense and performed admirably when he did. Despite his small stature, he is a reliable tackler—something the Packers defense could use more of. Additionally, he worked with Anthony Campanile, the new linebackers coach at Boston College. That ought to put him ahead of the other contenders.
There aren’t any first-round linebacker prospects in this year’s draft. It does, nevertheless, have several potential who might grow into contributors. Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M is one person to watch. In the second round, he could be had.
Cornerback
There are those who contend that the Packers don’t need a cornerback in this year’s draft. However, compared to when the Packers started the 2023 season, the depth isn’t as good.
2024 looks like a great year for Jaire Alexander to have a comeback season. Alexander never seemed at ease playing zone defense under Joe Barry. Alexander’s talents are better suited for Jeff Hafley, who is anticipated to play more press coverage. Even yet, Alexander has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, despite his exceptional play when healthy. Despite having such a high salary cap figure, the Packers’ top cornerback will have a big season in 2024.
In 2021, Eric Stokes had a strong debut season. Despite the high expectations placed on him for 2022, he only managed to play in nine games before sustaining an ankle injury. For the former first-round pick, 2023 was equally difficult. He was limited to just three games due to a hamstring injury. If the Packers are counting on Stokes to cover one of the starting boundary cornerback spots, they are taking a chance.
This off-season, Keisean Nixon, a nickel cornerback and returner specialist, is a free agent. Even though it’s likely that he’ll sign again, he struggled to play slot cornerback. Although Corey Ballentine and Carrington Valentine, two former seventh-round choices, are highly valued by the Packers, they both still need to mature significantly.
The Packers are projected to select Iowa’s Cooper DeJean in the first round in many of the early mock drafts. It makes a good deal of sense. DeJean is a creator who excelled at cornerback at Iowa. He might be able to move to safety by playing the slot. Cooper might also take over the playmaking role that Packers defensive back Charles Woodson, a Hall of Famer, previously held.
