Ranking Green Bay Packers needs entering 2021 NFL draft

Chandon Sullivan’s two seasons in Green Bay have been mostly solid, but it remains unclear if he’s a long-term solution in the slot.

When everyone is healthy, the Packers will likely have five capable starters in Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Lucas Patrick, Billy Turner and Jon Runyan Jr., but there’s little to no depth at offensive tackle and replacing Linsley’s dominance in the middle won’t be easy.

Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark during the 4th quarter of the Green Bay Packers 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan.

Kenny Clark is an elite talent and Kingsley Keke has flashed disruptive ability, but Lowry has regressed into a replacement-level player over the last two years and Lancaster is more of a situational role player.

The Packers are bringing back their top five receivers from last season, and Devin Funchess is rejoining the roster after opting out of 2020, but the long-term outlook creates concern entering the draft.

The one time they did make an aggressive move to get a linebacker, they picked a player – third-round pick Oren Burks – that can’t stay healthy and can’t get on the field.

Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, Dec.

The Packers might like Vernon Scott, last year’s seventh-round pick, as a potential Greene replacement, but this is such an important position, both for playing defense and special teams, that the Packers should target at least one in the draft every year.

While Gary is ascending and should play a bigger role in 2021, the Packers can’t count on Jonathan Garvin, Randy Ramsey or Tipa Galeai becoming the top backup at a premium position in 2022.

Matt LaFleur has said several times that he prefers having three running backs he can trust to play, given the grind of the regular season and the desire to keep a back like Jones fresh.

However, the Packers may want to prepare for life after Lewis, possibly necessitating a need for a developmental inline tight end, and Tonyan could price himself out of Green Bay with another productive season.

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is shaken up during an extra point during the 2nd quarter of the Green Bay Packers Los Angeles Rams NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan.

Mason Crosby turns 37 in September, JK Scott and Hunter Bradley were challenged to be more consistent by new coordinator Maurice Drayton and the roster doesn’t have an obvious option to return punts or kicks.

Drafting Jordan Love in the first round last year created a big stir, and the aftershocks of the pick continue to dominate headlines, but how many teams would love to have a talented first-round pick developing behind a three-time NFL MVP at the game’s most important position? The need here is for a third quarterback after Tim Boyle bolted for Detroit.

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