The Green Bay Packers’ playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles taught Brian Gutekunst two valuable lessons.
One, the Packers need to add a wide receiver, especially with Christian Watson set for a spell on the sidelines. Two, it’s hard to win games without strong offensive line depth.
Green Bay lost its top three receivers to injury against Philadelphia, but nothing hurt the offense more than Elgton Jenkins’ absence. It forced Travis Glover and Kadeem Telfort into the lineup with predictably painful results.
The Packers upgraded their interior line talent by signing Aaron Banks, allowing Jenkins to slide to center as Josh Myers’ replacement. Second-year Jordan Morgan can move across the line, although the Packers preferred him to play guard as a rookie.
Fans won’t love it, but the Packers need to prioritize the tackle position again this offseason. It sounds like the Packers agree.
NFL insider reveals Packers’ interest in drafting a tackle early (and they should)
Many fans won’t want to hear it, given the Packers’ needs at wide receiver, cornerback, and edge-rusher. It’s understandable, especially after the team spent last year’s first-round selection on Jordan Morgan, a college left tackle.
But we better get used to the idea. ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Packers selecting Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in his latest mock draft, and he then took it a step further.
“The Packers are entering the last year of Rasheed Walker’s contract, and rumors around the league have Green Bay drafting a tackle early,” writes Miller.
It wouldn’t be a fun pick, especially a year after selecting a first-round lineman, but it makes sense. Walker and Zach Tom have expiring contracts in less than a year. While the Packers will likely make Tom one of the highest-paid tackles in football sooner rather than later, the same is far from guaranteed for Walker.
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That’s the big-picture reason to draft a tackle early. Short term? Who starts at tackle if Walker or Tom goes down?
Morgan? Maybe, but the Packers wasted no time moving him to guard last year, where many believed he would play in the NFL due to his arm length. Beyond Morgan, who’s next? Kadeem Telfort? Travis Glover? Re-sign Andre Dillard? It’s concerning.
It’s hard to disagree with Miller’s selection of Banks in his mock draft. The Texas product meets the Packers’ size and athleticism thresholds, offers the positional versatility they love, and allowed only four sacks in the past three seasons (per PFF).
Even if he doesn’t play immediately, Banks could become Walker’s eventual replacement while providing important depth as a rookie.
Drafting a tackle early wouldn’t go down well with the fans, especially if a top pass-rusher or wide receiver was available, but it makes sense. Jordan Love is among the best at avoiding sacks, but he didn’t get enough time to operate in clean pockets last season. Adding a first-round left tackle ensures the Packers put their franchise quarterback in the best position to succeed.
