With all of that being noted, there are plenty of positions in need of attention for this young squad. GM Ted Thompson thrives off the NFL Draft every season, and he generally isn't one to focus primarily on free agent pickups. Let's take a look at some realistic scenarios for all 7 rounds of the draft for the Pack.
1st Round (Pick #27)
Jack Conklin -- OT -- Michigan St.
A few things to mention on this all-significant first pick. Finding a pass rusher is very important for the defense, but protecting their franchise QB might be even more important. The fact is though, it's not entirely about that. David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga are both quality in protecting the passer, but also struggled in run blocking last season. Eddie Lacy is a big boy, but can only break so many tackles before 3 defenders will inevitably take him down. He needs running holes, and this is where Conklin comes in. He may not be able to start on the left side, but the veteran Bulaga can slide in on any side. By the way, he and Bakhtiari are in final years of their contract.
Backup Plan
Darron Lee -- OLB -- Ohio St.
Lee is ideally an outside guy in a 4-3 scheme, but his skills might be too much to pass up on. He would instantly start as one of the two inside backer spots, next to Sam Barrington or Jake Ryan. Ryan looks like he has potential and has more recent on-field time than Barrington who missed all of last season with an injury. Ultimately, this allows Clay Matthews to move back to the outside linebacker as a primary pass-rusher opposite side of Julius Peppers, who plans to play out one more year.
2nd Round (Pick #57)
Tyler Boyd -- WR -- Pitt
Richard Rodgers might not cut it as a clear starter at tight end, but Hunter Henry will likely be gone at this point so they'll be wise to wait on that position. Let's face it, we saw how ineffective Randall Cobb was as a #1 option last year. Drafting Boyd to be playing opposite side of a healthy Jordy Nelson is as safe as it gets. It allows Cobb to thrive back in the slot which he did the first few years of his career. Davante Adams, Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery are all questionable receiving targets right now for Rodgers.
Backup Plan
Sheldon Day -- DE -- Notre Dame
The size and frame of a DT, but Dom Capers' defensive scheme allows for the adjustment to a 3-4 end. Almost a perfect pick to go opposite of Mike Daniels who just got a huge contract extension and was a force in the backfield of opposing offenses. Letroy Guion is listed as the other defensive end, but B.J. Raji might not get re-signed so that puts Guion in the middle and Day to battle with Datone Jones for the other spot.
3rd Round (Pick #88)
Kentrell Brothers -- ILB -- Missouri
Tight End Nick Vannett 0ut of Ohio St. should be off the board at this point, so Ted Thompson fills in one of the middle linebacker spots. Brothers was among the most sound tacklers in all of college football last season which is very much needed in one of those two positions, if they hope to successfully keep Clay on the edge.
Backup Plan
Pharoh Cooper -- WR -- South Carolina
If the team hasn't gone with a receiver up to this point, they'll want to take one sooner rather than later. Cooper doesn't have ideal height at wide out, but he's been compared ironically to Randall Cobb who would stay on the outside while Cooper takes control of slot duties. Rodgers might have a a field day with this speedster.
4th Round (#122)
Xavien Howard -- CB -- Baylor
Casey Hayward is off to free agency which means that defense now has one less starter at outside corner. With Quentin Rollins and Demarious Randall on the rise as youngsters coming off promising rookies seasons, a need at corner might no seem as pressing as other teams. But let's not forgot how much Dom Capers loves a secondary arsenal, and Howard out of Baylor has nearly unmatched height at the position with a 6'2 frame.
Backup Plan
Josh Ferguson -- HB -- Illinois
It may be surprising that the team wouldn't have drafted a running back even up to this point based on how stagnant the run game was with Lacy. But it seems that problem may have been more in run blocking across the offensive line. Regardless, we know at some point this position will be addressed. Ferguson is stout runner who is considered one of the better pass-catching backs in the draft. What a nice weapon out of the backfield for A-Rod.
5th Round (#151)
Tyler Higbee -- TE -- Western Kentucky
Now would be the time to pull the trigger on tight end. Higbee is 6'6, but a light 250 pounds, so he'll need to do some bulking up throughout the off-season. With that being said, he could become already the most athletic tight end on the roster for Green Bay and a deep threat target with his speed.
Backup Plan
Jason Fanaika -- DE/OLB -- Utah
We don't know yet if the team plans to bring back Nick Perry or Mike Neal. It's always safe to pack in depth at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Fanaika is a stout body at 6'3 270 lbs, but nimble enough to become an edge rusher under Capers' defense.
6th Round (#181)
Tre Madden -- HB -- USC
Okay so if the team didn't select a back before, they're most definitely going to here. Thompson is already notorious for drafting big ones at that (Lacy 6'2 and James Starks 6'1). Madden matches up to the same height as Starks and has the similar long-stride running style that may lead to some home run type plays.
Backup Plan
Joe Haeg -- OT -- North Dakota St.
Whether they drafted a top grade tackle in the first round or two, they'll definitely want to stash one on the roster anyways with their two starters on final years of their contracts. Haeg has ideal height for a tackle at 6'6, but would have to spend some time on the right side early on in his career.
7th Round (#216)
Josh Forrest -- ILB -- Kentucky
Back to that inside linebacker position which truly has question marks all around it in Green Bay. If they want Clay back to his natural edge rushing position then they'll need to start stacking some guys in the middle for competition purposes. May the best men win and Forrest could very well be one of them, finishing his senior season as the third most efficient tackler in the SEC.
Backup Plan
Malcolm Mitchell -- WR -- Georgia
An explosive guy who will sit at the back end of the depth chart, but can make a case for himself in special teams. These types of players are always necessary to snag at some point.
We still await results from the combine, and that could definitely shift the evaluation on some of these players. However the most pressing needs for this team boil down to inside linebacker, edge rusher, and an offensive lineman of some sort. A healthy Packers team will continue to make noise in the NFC, but building from the draft is one of the essential reasons why they have not missed the playoffs over the last six years in the first place.
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