With the Green Bay Packers now a few weeks into training camp, they are beginning to have a better idea about how their roster could look once the regular season rolls around in a few weeks. While there are some spots that have already been locked in, a few others could use a little shoring up.
Coming out of their first preseason game of the year, some tight end depth will need to be signed. Tyler Davis suffered an ACL tear that will end his 2023 season before it even begins. A veteran will almost certainly be brought in as the Packers planned on expanding his role on offense on top of the integral part he plays on special teams.
Prior to the game against the Bengals, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report put together a list of three veterans that the Packers should target in free agency. A tight end would assuredly make the list now, but there are other positions of need that could use some shoring up.
Defensive lineman Shelby Harris was the first player mentioned. Green Bay is putting a lot of faith into youngsters alongside Kenny Clark in the trenches. TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks all have two years or fewer of NFL experience heading into 2023.
Even if the Packers are high on that quartet, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in another veteran as insurance. Harris is still capable of producing and would be another mentor for them to lean on in addition to Clark. Green Bay lost a lot of snaps and leadership with Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed departing this offseason and Harris would help offset that.
Next on the list is Carson Wentz. The Packers are taking a huge risk with their quarterback depth right now. Jordan Love is locked in as the starter, but should anything happen to him, they would be in dire straits.
It would be hard to imagine the team having much confidence in fifth-round rookie Sean Clifford or Alex McGough, the USFL MVP, running this offense and leading the team to victories should they have to step into the lineup for Love. As a backup option, Wentz could be an elite option for Green Bay.
Last but not least is edge rusher Melvin Ingram. The Packers are working Rashan Gary back into things slowly, and rightfully so, after he tore his ACL in Week 9 last season. He likely won’t be ready for a full complement of snaps out of the gate, so bringing in another seasoned veteran would make sense.
Pass rusher is already a shaky spot on the roster, so adding the steady Ingram to the mix would make a lot of sense. His presence would also enable defensive coordinator Joe Barry to move first-round pick Lukas Van Ness around the formation, taking advantage of his strength and athleticism at more than just the edge.
