2014 NFL Draft Needs: Green Bay Packers

The Packers have several players along the defensive line in decline, bound for free agency, or both. As he is wont to do, look for GM Ted Thompson to rebuild through the draft rather than the free-agent market.
2014 NFL Draft Needs: Green Bay Packers
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Areas of Need

1. (3-4) Defensive End

The Packers were regularly defeated at the point of attack in 2013, and now veterans B.J. Raji and Johnny Jolly are slated to become free agents. With Mike Daniels coming off a solid sophomore campaign, and 2013 first-round pick Datone Jones likely to improve in his second season, the Packers may just be one piece away from solidifying the defensive end spot for years to come.

2. (3-4) Defensive Tackle

Starting nose tackle Ryan Pickett took a step back in a contract year, so the Packers may look for other solutions. Even if the 34-year-old Pickett is kept on board, Green Bay will likely have an eye on finding his eventual replacement.

3. Safety

With Morgan Burnett signed to a long term contract and M.D. Jennings a restricted free agent, the Packers should have no problem retaining their starting safety duo from 2013, if they so desire. Jennings is probably best suited from a backup role, and the Pack could certainly use a playmaker alongside the solid but unspectacular Burnett.

Potential Targets

*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining

1. (3-4) Defensive End

First round
-Timmy Jernigan*, Florida State (6-2, 300)
-Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota (6-6, 310)
-Aaron Donald, Pitt (6-1, 290)

Second round
-Dominique Easley, Florida (6-2, 285)
-Stephon Tuitt*, Notre Dame (6-6, 310)
-Will Sutton, Arizona State (6-0, 305)

Third round
-Anthony Johnson*, LSU (6-2, 295)
-Kelcy

Areas of Need

1. (3-4) Defensive End

The Packers were regularly defeated at the point of attack in 2013, and now veterans B.J. Raji and Johnny Jolly are slated to become free agents. With Mike Daniels coming off a solid sophomore campaign, and 2013 first-round pick Datone Jones likely to improve in his second season, the Packers may just be one piece away from solidifying the defensive end spot for years to come.

2. (3-4) Defensive Tackle

Starting nose tackle Ryan Pickett took a step back in a contract year, so the Packers may look for other solutions. Even if the 34-year-old Pickett is kept on board, Green Bay will likely have an eye on finding his eventual replacement.

3. Safety

With Morgan Burnett signed to a long term contract and M.D. Jennings a restricted free agent, the Packers should have no problem retaining their starting safety duo from 2013, if they so desire. Jennings is probably best suited from a backup role, and the Pack could certainly use a playmaker alongside the solid but unspectacular Burnett.

Potential Targets

*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining

1. (3-4) Defensive End

First round
-Timmy Jernigan*, Florida State (6-2, 300)
-Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota (6-6, 310)
-Aaron Donald, Pitt (6-1, 290)

Second round
-Dominique Easley, Florida (6-2, 285)
-Stephon Tuitt*, Notre Dame (6-6, 310)
-Will Sutton, Arizona State (6-0, 305)

Third round
-Anthony Johnson*, LSU (6-2, 295)
-Kelcy Quarles*, South Carolina (6-3, 300)
-Ego Ferguson*, LSU (6-2, 310)

Fourth round and later
-Ed Stinson, Alabama (6-3, 290)
-Jeoffrey Pagan*, Alabama (6-3, 290)
-George Uko*, USC (6-3, 275)
-Jay Bromley, Syracuse (6-3, 285)

2. (3-4) Defensive Tackle

First round
-Louis Nix*, Notre Dame (6-2, 345)

Second round
-DaQuan Jones, Penn State (6-3, 320)

Fourth round and later
-Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech (6-2, 350)
-Ryan Carrethers, Arkansas State (6-2, 330)
-Daniel McCullers, Tennessee (6-6, 350)

3. Safety

First round
-Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix*, Alabama (6-1, 210)
-Calvin Pryor*, Louisville (6-2, 210)

Second round
-Deone Bucannon, Washington State (6-1, 215)
-Terrence Brooks, Florida State (5-11, 200)
-Ed Reynolds*, Stanford (6-2, 205)
-Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois (5-11, 190)

Third round
-Craig Loston, LSU (6-1, 210)
-Vinnie Sunseri*, Alabama (6-0, 210)
Fourth round and later
-Dion Bailey*, USC (6-0, 200)
-Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt (6-0, 205)
-Marqueston Huff, Wyoming (5-11, 195)
-Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State (5-10, 210)
-Ahmad Dixon, Baylor (6-0, 205)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jerry was a 2018 finalist for the FSWA's Player Notes Writer of the Year and DFS Writer of the Year awards. A Baltimore native, Jerry roots for the Ravens and watches "The Wire" in his spare time.
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