Green Bay Packers 2008 NFL Draft Needs
Written April 14, 2008 by Jack Jones
The Packers are coming off an impressive season where they made it all the way to the NFC title game before finally losing to the New York Giants. In a season where the expectations weren’t very high, Brett Farve led the team to a 13-3 regular season finish, and had fans dreaming of another Super Bowl run. Not only were Packer hearts broken when the team came within one game of the Super Bowl, Farve added to it by announcing his retirement. So the team will finally be giving way to Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, and the start of a new era in Green Bay. While Farve was a big piece to the team’s success over his time there, they should still be good enough to make another run at the NFC North. Other than Farve’s retirement the team has had a pretty quite offseason. So with the draft coming in the en of April, lets take a look at what the Packers need to address when they are on the clock.
1. Cornerback
With both starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson getting up there in age, and no sure backup to come in and get the job done if one were to go down with injury, this is a bigger need than one might think. With the 30th pick in the first round, the Packers will most likely watch a number of Corners go off the board. If they decide to address this position first they could be looking at Kansas’s Aquib Talib or maybe Arizona’ Antoine Carson.
2. Tight End
With the team releasing long time starter Bubba Franks this offseason, and Donald Lee being the only real threat at the position, the team could look at drafting a backup here as well. While there are a number of decent tight ends the Pack could probably wait till later on to grab one, but if they decide to go after one early, there might not be any better than USC’s Fred Davis.
3. Offensive Line
The theme continues here, as the team isn’t all that bad here but they could use a solid back up or two at the position. While almost any spot on the line could be used, the most help would probably come from selecting a tackle. While we don’t see them wasting there first round pick here, if they decide to go this route they might go after USC tackle Sam Baker or Virginia guard Brandon Albert.
4. Quarterback
With the loss of Brett Farve the team is in need of a solid backup for Rodgers. The team will likely go after a veteran in free agency, but we think they could land a pretty solid guy later in the draft. We so no reason why the team shouldn’t take a stab at a guy like Hawaii’s Colt Brennan or maybe even earlier after a guy like Delaware’s Jon Flacco or Michigan’s Chad Henne.
5. Linebacker
The team is pretty set here as well with A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett and either Brady Poppinga or newly acquired Brandon Chillar. It wouldn’t hurt to sure of the depth chart with a late pick here. Don’t expect the team to waste any of there first two round picks here as they need to address other positions with those picks.
Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.
