The Green Bay Packers are having one of their most entertaining and active free agency periods in some time. They have signed a top-ranked tight end and brought back one of their most productive defensive players from last season in Nick Perry. They have seen players depart at key positions, however, creating some remaining needs the team has to address in the coming weeks.
Cornerback depth
One of the biggest losses the Packers have suffered this offseason is the departure of defensive back Micah Hyde to the Buffalo Bills. Former team member Davon House is back in the building, but having the second-to-worst pass defense in the NFL means the team needs more than just a player who used to be alright before falling back to Earth with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Options at the cornerback position are lacking in free agency at this point. Green Bay seems unlikely to get into the bidding war for New England Patriots restricted free agent Malcolm Butler, arguably leaving concussion-prone Los Angeles Chargers castaway Brandon Flowers as the top option. They can also take a flyer on somebody like USC's Adoree' Jackson towards the end of the first round of the NFL Draft in April.
Rumbling with a new running back
Running back has been one of the biggest needs for the Packers, seemingly since the days after Ahman Green left town a decade ago. The team had high hopes for Eddie Lacy, but his weight issues and injuries derailed his previous two campaigns. Now, they have no hope for him, as he has signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
After missing out on Latavius Murray in free agency, much of the attention has turned towards former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. While he would be a big-ticket signing for the team, his age and injury issue make it unlikely that he could be in the backfield for the team on every down. If the Packers choose to sign him, they would be wise to pair him with a running back in the second round of the NFL Draft, since this year's running back class is loaded.
