Green Bay Packers Top 5 Needs in 2015 NFL Draft

Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) breaks up the pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

#4  Cornerback  –  The Packers quietly boasted a strong pass defense in 2014 despite opposing teams being forced to throw the football early and often.  Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Casey Hayward produced a strong trio of corners while Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgant Burnett did well to keep a cap on any deep throws.

Williams will be 32 in a month, and that’s what is working against him.  Ted Thompson would rather he declines elsewhere, so this will come down to a question of both money and term.  If the Packers believe Williams only has one good year remaining but he seeks a contract of two or more, that’s an issue.  I would expect him to hit free agency with Thompson’s phone number in his back pocket in case the interest is lukewarm.

Davon House, on the other hand, still represents a relative unknown.  He saw the field often enough, but rarely in a starting role or against starting receivers.  I love his physical makeup for the position, and that could push a team to offer him $4-5M annually on the open market.  Green Bay would prefer to keep their young and ascending corner, but the decision on House will be a luxury that is allowed only if the cap stays under control.

If both men walk, this becomes a position of need in the short term, while one of the two leaving in free agency could still call for a mid-round prospect to fill a role like House’s in 2014.  With Aaron Rodgers driving the offense out to early leads, the Packers need a deep roster of pass-defenders to stifle the opposition.

Likely round: 4th or later

Next: #3: Does Rodgers miss Jermichael Finley?