The top priority for the Packers going into the 2024 NFL draft and season for that matter was safety. Every major Pundit agreed. Until the Packers booted De’Vondre Campbell to the Post June 1st designated cut curb.
The Packers now have backup Isaiah McDuffie and Quay Walker, who new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is so impressed with that when asked, the new defensive genius could not even state he was sure what position Walker can play in his system.
Campbell is just the first tile to drop on this Domino merry-go-round. Bakhtiari is next[Editor’s Note]. Every warrior eventually bows to father time and number 69 has been given three years of patience due to his extraordinary ability when he was young and healthy. Add another 20+ million to the 2024 Packer cap and increase the Packers’ necessity to add to the offensive line.
Mixed Signals
For sports fans who feel confused, don’t worry, you’re not losing your memory. It was February 28th, less than two weeks ago when you were reading the headline on the PackersWire that read; “Packers would “love” to have De’Vondre Campbell back”. That was a direct quote from Brian Gutekunst.
So goes the “business” that is the NFL. Now the rumors coming from Tom Silverstein are the Packers want to go younger. Campbell turns 32 in July. He’s battled injuries and missed tackles. The Packers seem to be turning the page and freeing up 10.5 million in cap space this year.
If you are picking through the available free agents there is Patrick Queen (age: 24) or Lavonte David (age: 34) or Frankie Luvu (age: 27). But if you really want to go younger and not spend all your cap savings, Edgerrin Cooper is the only potential first round pick at linebacker in the upcoming draft.
He excelled at the combine, boosting his previous second round evaluation. Cooper just became a Packer priority.
The Packers can now afford a safety in free agency and one in the draft. Offensive tackle and IOL have to also be priorities. Add a cornerback or two even if the contracts of Ballentine and Nixon are renewed and the Packers can frost the cake with a dynamic running back and still have a few draft picks left for depth.
Lucky for the Packers this draft has good depth at offensive tackle. And they have 5 picks in the top 100. But even with 5 picks in the first two days, the Packers may now need to follow their old habit. Drafting defense in the first round.
