clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cheese Curds, 3/30: Packers still seem to need help on offensive & defensive lines

With David Bakhtiari’s status uncertain to start 2021 and little depth up front on defense, look for the Packers to add some bodies in the trenches between now and training camp.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Billy Turner did an admirable job last season filling in for David Bakhtiari at left tackle. But with Rick Wagner gone, the Packers need Turner to stay on the right side of the line — or they need to find a spot starter at right tackle to allow Turner to help as Bakhtiari returns to health — to avoid shuffling the deck on their interior by moving Elgton Jenkins outside.

On the defensive line, the Packers have just three veteran players: Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, and Dean Lowry. Perhaps the lack of depth here is the reason why Lowry is still around on a contract that most expected would lead to his release this offseason.

With those positions still squarely in the “need” category and the big free agent names all already having a new home, the Packers have their work cut out for them to identify an outside player who could assist them in their quest to break through their apparent NFC Championship ceiling.

One such player for each line could come from within, as the Packers finished the 2020 season with Jared Veldheer on their roster. But each of the past two seasons has seen Veldheer walk away from football only to return late in the fall to play for a contender, so he is no lock to want to return right away. Defensively, the Packers picked up Damon Harrison late last season and played him sparingly down the stretch. Could a Harrison reunion be just what the doctor ordered, giving the Packers a true run-stuffing presence?

Then of course there is the NFL Draft, where the Packers could turn for younger additions. While cornerback is the flavor du jour for Green Bay in most first-round mocks of late, don’t be surprised if they look to the trenches on day two.

5 positions where Packers could still use a veteran addition | Packers Wire
Still holding out hope for the Packers to bring in an outside free agent? Here are the positions to watch, led off by defensive line and offensive tackle.

Packers seven-round mock draft: Will Green Bay take a cornerback in Round 1? – The Athletic (subscription)
This mock also sees one player on each line coming to Green Bay within the first three rounds, plus a boundary cornerback.

Reviewing the Packers' 2017 NFL Draft | Packer Report
Josh Jones and Montravius Adams were brutal picks on day two in 2017, but the team thankfully found a couple of good players (including a star) on day three.

Former Packers safety Morgan Burnett announces retirement | Packers.com
Congratulations to Burnett, who was a steady, solid presence at safety for most of the decade in Green Bay.

49ers avoid being 'left at the altar' in QB derby, 'very excited' about prospects, future of Jimmy Garoppolo | NFL.com
The Niners' move up to pick #3 certainly does not suggest that the team is content with Garoppolo as their quarterback, despite what they are saying publicly.

Mafia fugitive caught after posting YouTube cooking video | The Guardian
An Italian mobster living in the Dominican Republic was wise enough to not show his face during his cooking video, but he forgot about his particularly distinctive tattoos, which landed him on law enforcement's radar. There's no answer to the critical questions, however: what was he cooking, and was it any good?