Green Bay Packers: Ranking biggest team needs in 2019 NFL Draft
By Joe Kipp
5. Offensive Line
Even after signing Billy Turner in free agency, who’s played all four offensive line positions except center during his career, the Packers have shaky depth in the trenches. As of right now, Green Bay’s starters project to be something like this, from left to right: David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Bryan Bulaga. Not bad, right?
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But after those five starters, the Packers have questionable depth. Players of note include: Lucas Patrick, a backup guard who’s played in 14 career games (four starts); Adam Pankey, a versatile swing tackle who’s played in one career game; and Jason Spriggs, a former second-rounder who has yet to show any potential in 13 career games (two starts).
The biggest wild cards among Green Bay’s backups are second-year guard Nico Siragusa, who the Packers claimed off waivers late in 2018, and Cole Madison, who reported to the team for the offseason program on April 8 after missing his entire rookie season due to personal reasons. Backup tackle Alex Light also showed promise in limited action last season. Look for Siragusa and Madison to challenge Taylor and Turner in training camp.
Potential early-round targets for the Packers in the 2019 NFL Draft include Chris Lindstrom (OG), Dalton Risner (OT/OG), Cody Ford (OT/OG), Andre Dillard (OT), Greg Little (OT), Jonah Williams (OT) and Jawaan Taylor (OT). It seems most logical for the Packers to target an offensive tackle, given the position’s scarcity on Green Bay’s roster. Bulaga also has an expiring contract in 2020.