The Green Bay Packers are just two years removed from winning their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history, and despite winning the NFC North the last two seasons and advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs this year; they’re in trouble. 

The Packers are in desperate need of impact players that can start immediately at many positions and they could use depth at several others.  As I’ve said before, the easiest way to fix the terrible defense would be to fire defensive coordinator Dom Capers and switch to a 4-3 defense.  Green Bay already has the pieces on that side of the ball that would work much better in a 4-3 scheme.  Alas, the Packers look intent on retaining Capers and the 3-4 for at least one more season, so let’s look at Green Bay’s biggest needs (based on their current scheme) in this year’s NFL Draft. 

1.  Center

It was stupid to let Scott Wells walk via free agency last season, but the Packers made a smart (at the time) move when they added veteran Jeff Saturday.  But, he ended up getting benched half way through the season and was replaced with Evan Dietrich-Smith; who did a terrible job pass blocking. 

Aaron Rodgers was sacked more times this year than any quarterback in NFL history and The Packers need to make sure this isn’t an ongoing trend.  They already have two talented guards in T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton and a good center would go a long way to solidify the interior of their offensive line. 

2.  Defensive End

Jerel Worthy showed a lot of talent and upside in his rookie campaign, despite being injured a little too often.  If Worthy can stay healthy, he could become a big playmaker along the Packers’ defensive line; but for that to happen, he needs another talented end on the other side: something Ryan Pickett and Mike Neal don’t fill the bill for very well. 

3.  Nose tackle

Like I said earlier, the Packers have the personnel to work better in a 4-3 defensive scheme and no one exemplifies this more than B.J. Raji.  Nose tackle is the most important position to running a successful 3-4 scheme and Raji is arguably the worst in the NFL. 

The Packers desperate need a big, physical nose tackle that constantly occupies double teams, crashes and collapses the pocket and shuts down the run up the middle: all things Raji doesn’t do very well at all.  A top-notch nose tackle along with Worthy and the Packers’ uber-talented linebacker corp would instantly change the defense for the better. 

4.  Safety

As sad as it is to admit this; Charles Woodson has clearly lost a step.  While he can still compete at a high level, he’s not a viable option to start at safety at this point.  He may still play this coming season (and god forbid; the next one) but the Packers need to move to replace him now. 

While M.D. Jennings and Morgan Burnett are talented, they’re the same type of player and both would excel at strong safety with their zone coverage, big hit/over-the-top style.  Green Bay has been in need of a top-tier free safety like Earl Thomas since losing Nick Collins after the Super Bowl.  Securing a safety that is good in man and zone coverage, plus has good hands and closing-speed would perfectly round out Green Bay’s already talented (and young) secondary. 

5.  Offensive Tackle

Third-year right tackle Bryan Bulaga is a talented and well-rounded lineman but the Packers lack the difference-maker at left tackle required to protect Rodgers’ blind side; as well as depth in the event of injury.  Derek Sherrod has shown promise but would be better served on the other side of the line.  Plus, when Bulaga went down with an injury this season; Green Bay struggled mightily to replace him.  The Packers need to add another tackle to provide depth moving forward. 

Honorable Mention: Running Back and Tight End

James Starks and Alex Green have been injured more than they’ve played in the last two seasons and at least one of them should be released moving forward.  DuJuan Harris did a decent job in their absence, but lacks the size to be an every-down back in the NFL.  The Packers could develop a good one-two punch with another talented running back. 

Talented tight end/wide receiver hybrid Jermichael Finley will likely be traded or released very soon.  While the Packers have a ton of solid tight ends still on the roster; none of them have the speed, big play capability or the ability to line up at multiple positions like Finley, and the Packers could look to address this potential hole in the offense.