1) Do the Packers see a legitimate future for Jordan Morgan at tackle or are they just humoring him by allowing him to compete there? Furthermore on the OL, which player(s) are they planning to retain?
Part of me wants to say that the Packers wouldn't have spent high draft capital on Morgan if they didn't see him at tackle. However, the contract they handed to Aaron Banks says that they place a high value on interior OL. Part of me wants to say that the only reason Morgan was at guard in 2024 is because that's where the need was. However, it isn't as though Rasheed Walker is head and shoulders better than Rhyan. It's also possible that they drafted him primarily as a tackle, but thought differently of it once they got him into camp.
All that said, I'm conflicted about this one. My gut says that they are willing to give him a shot at left tackle, but internally see him more as the future at RG. But my lean in that direction is slight. I also think that they will retain Tom, but let Walker and Rhyan walk.
If I'm right, I would expect an OL drafted in the first three rounds with OT/G versatility. And it wouldn't shock me a bit to see one taken at #23 because everyone needs quality offensive linemen. If you go through the exercise of mocking out the first few rounds, you'll spend a lot of time looking at depth charters to discern needs. What you will find in doing so is that basically every team in the NFL, especially the bad ones, needs lots of help on the OL. So if you don't get one early, you're going to watch a lot of them come off the board before you choose again. Banks or Conerly both fit the profile of players with legit versatility.
If I'm wrong and Morgan is the slamdunk future at LT, then OL will become a mid to late round consideration to bolster depth and prepare for Rhyan's departure.
2) Which receiver(s), if any, do the Packers see as long-term contributors and which are they ready to move on from or upgrade?
The receivers we're talking about: Watson, Doubs, Wicks, and Reed.
I think both the team and Watson will be amenable to a short extension to give him time to rebuild value. So when I think about that vertical X role, I think more in terms of capable backup who can help while Watson is out moreso than long-term replacement.
Doubs is not long for the Packers in my opinion and Watson's injury is the only reason why I'm not expecting him to get traded this off-season.
I bet that they don't know what they want to do with Wicks yet. He's a plus starter if he can control the drops. The Packers have seen this movie before (Davante Adams) and I'm sure they haven't written him off. But he has to do it, or else he's just J'Mon Moore.
Reed is the tricky one. He only plays in the slot and he doesn't beat man coverage. He's a manufactured touch player and he doesn't weave into the run game well because he isn't a reliable blocker. I am wondering if they are internally disappointed in how he's panned out and have interest in a different kind of player in the slot?
If I'm right in my assessments, then the Packers will be looking for a starting caliber player with inside/outside versatility and a quality backup who can threaten offenses vertically. The inside/outside guys, especially if you want blocking ability, would be guys like Egbuka, Bech, or Royals. The guys to be had later with vertical ability would be guys like Horton, Thornton, or (D)ike.
3) What sort of defensive line are they looking to build for Hafley? Do they have any interest in a 2 gapping skillset or is it all about length and upfield penetration?
What's clear and obvious is that the Packers need someone to play the 1T role. What's not as obvious is what kind of body they want there. Traditionally, your 1T is a 320+ lb monster who can hold up against double teams and cover two gaps. But that's not the only type of player that NFL teams deploy there.
I am guessing (note-- guessing) that the 49ers are the DL that Hafley is most closely looking to emulate. The interior of the 49ers' DL since Saleh got there has not been composed of 320+ lb block eaters. They have prioritized two basic types of players:
-Players with elite length (Buckner, Armstead, Kinlaw), usually at the 3T.
-Shorter players with explosive upfield ability (Jones, Givens, Hargrave), usually at the 1T.
If I'm right, the Packers won't be looking for guys like Grant or Williams to come take on double teams. They would either be targeting guys with elite wingspans, like Harmon, Collins, Farmer, etc. AND/OR stubby, explosive upfield guys like Jordan Phillips or C.J. West.
4) To what degree is the team attributing the lack of edge rush to personnel vs. coaching and how will their lean impact their draft emphasis?
I never understood why Rebrovich was on the coaching staff in the first place, let alone why he was getting promoted. I think the Packers generally like their talent at DE and believe a new coach can get a lot more out of them. My guess is that they're more interested in a DPR to be a cherry on top more than feeling a need to replace existing starters. I also think they feel they've found something real in Brenton Cox.
If I'm right, DE will only be a consideration high in the draft if the value is too good to pass. I'm suspicious that it's their hope to draft the position with either of their top selections. I also think their interest in Dante Fowler Jr. indicates that they would add a guy who is really just a passing down speed rusher.
5) How urgently do the Packers feel the need to upgrade from the current players at corner?
The Packers depth at CB is lacking, but they seemingly have all the primary starters/role-players on the roster already. There's no indication that they plan to move on from Nixon as a starter after he showed himself capable on the outside last year. They gave Hobbs money to be a top 3 corner. Valentine played over 50% of the snaps on defense last season and showed well. Bullard figures to play a lot of the snaps in the slot. All of these players are under contract through at least 2026.
So the question is whether they're content with this group and just want to improve the depth, or are they motivated to upgrade on any of these main role players? If the 49ers' defense is sort of the model or inspiration, it's interesting to note that since their current regime took over in 2017, they're only spent two picks in the top 100 on corners-- Renardo Green at #64 and Akhello Witherspoon at #84. I tend to think they're content to roll with the group they have and just add to the back of the roster on day 3.
If I'm right, CB won't be a position we see come off the board early.
