Addressing security is a should for the Inexperienced Bay Packers this offseason. But when their plan is to take action within the draft, solely three gamers from that place group are positioned inside the highest 50 on The Draft Community’s massive board, and two of them will not be precisely what the Packers want on the place.
The play from the security place in 2022 – together with just about the remainder of the protection – was underwhelming for the Packers. The usually regular and dependable Adrian Amos had what was simply his most inconsistent season since becoming a member of the Packers, and he’s now scheduled to be a free agent, whereas Darnell Savage was typically on the middle of communication breakdowns that led to massive performs for the opposing offense. Ultimately, he was benched.
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Along with the lackluster play, it is a place group very a lot missing depth for the time being as nicely. Savage is barely below contract for 2023, enjoying on a fifth-year choice, and definitely can’t be thought of a long-term resolution on the place. The one different safeties on the roster are Tariq Carpenter, a main particular groups participant throughout his rookie season, and James Wiggins, who was signed to a futures deal in January.
Including to this place early on on this 12 months’s draft ought to actually be on Brian Gutekunst’s radar; nonetheless, at the least in line with The Draft Community’s massive board, there will not be many choices to take action, with Jordan Battle, Antonio Johnson, and Brian Department being the one gamers within the high 50. Here’s a nearer take a look at every of these gamers.
23. Jordan Battle, Alabama: The 6-1, 206-pound Battle is likely one of the extra skilled gamers you will notice, with over 2,600 profession snaps at Alabama over 4 seasons. The majority of his snaps have come as a free security, however he additionally has expertise within the slot and as a field defender. This previous season, he allowed 16 receptions on 20 targets however at solely 7.7 yards per catch with a cross breakup. Of the three safeties, when it comes to want on the security place, I consider Battle is the most effective match.
25. Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M: Johnson, who stands 6-3 and weighs 195 kilos, has had the majority of his enjoying time come during the last two seasons, most of which have come from the slot. In his profession, Johnson has allowed 71 completions on 101 targets however held cross catchers to only 6.4 yards per catch with one interception and cross breakup. He was additionally a really lively run defender this previous season.
30. Brian Department, Alabama: Like Johnson, nearly all of Department’s snaps have come from the slot, in line with PFF. With the Packers having Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes, to not point out Savage, whereas they want security assist, they don’t precisely want another choice from the slot, which is why as a free security, Battle could also be the most effective match, until the plan is for Department or Johnson to be utilized extra typically as conventional safeties within the NFL. Department was a stout run defender in 2022, rating 18th in run-stop fee amongst safeties, and held opponents to six.8 yards per catch with six cross breakups and one interception.
Now, after all, simply because The Draft Community has solely three safeties of their high 50 doesn’t imply that issues gained’t change between at the moment and the draft, or maybe the Packers will worth different gamers otherwise, resulting in extra choices. Additionally, if Inexperienced Bay doesn’t land a security in Rounds 1 or 2, it doesn’t imply they will’t discover a contributor afterward, however clearly, the chances of doing so lower.
Different safeties simply exterior of TDN’s high 50 embody JL Skinner from Boise State, Brandon Joseph from Notre Dame, and Christopher Smith from Georgia. The power of this draft class on the high finish is on the tight finish, edge rusher, and cornerback positions.
As I wrote lately for Packers Wire, along with the draft, including a security in free company makes plenty of sense for Inexperienced Bay as nicely. There may be worth in having a veteran presence within the locker room and on the follow area, to not point out that after what we noticed in 2022, relying closely on Savage comes with some dangers, and even productive rookies are fairly inconsistent–simply take a look at the Packers’ 2022 draft class.
Inside Joe Barry’s protection, safeties are requested to do loads, together with being a prepared and succesful presence within the run sport with the frequent mild packing containers which might be utilized, together with additionally having to guard in opposition to the large passing play downfield. Once more, that is the place having extra expertise on the roster may assist.
With restricted spending energy in free company, any free agent signing doubtless gained’t be a flashy signing or a high-impact participant, however as a substitute, the aim can be to supply depth and wanted stability to the place. Bringing again Rudy Ford is a transfer that matches these standards.
As of now, the Packers maintain the fifteenth and forty fifth general alternatives within the 2023 draft. Different positions of want are tight finish, edge rusher, extensive receiver, and inside defensive lineman.
