Though things did not end as they had hoped, the Green Bay Packers still enjoyed a remarkably successful season, especially when you remember that they were missing Jordy Nelson all year. The second-round of the playoffs may be a disappointing end for the Packers, but ask the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns or Los Angeles Rams how much they would give to trade places with Green Bay. Now that the offseason is officially here, the Packers will turn their attention to improving the roster so they can once again get back to the Super Bowl.
But which areas are most in need of improvement?
Green Bay's defense ranked 15th in yards per game (346.7) and 21st in rush yards (119.1), so beefing up on that side of the ball could help. But general manager Ted Thompson should think further down the line than next season. Right guard T.J. Lang, Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton and left tackle David Bakhitari are all entering contract years in 2016, as is center/utility guy JC Tretter. In other words, four of Green Bay's top six linemen are heading to unrestricted free agency after next season.
The Packers' offensive line suffered when Bakhtiari missed three games - the last two regular-season outings and Green Bay's playoff victory over the Washington Redskins - due to a sprained ankle. Tretter improved his value by impressing as a replacement. Sitton has stuck around for eight years after being drafted in the fourth round back in 2008. The same goes for Lang, a 2009 fourth-rounder. All four are quality contributors.
Though ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Packers to take Penn St. defensive tackle Austin Johnson to replace B.J. Raji, Thompson would be well served by taking a look at the available linemen at No. 27. Ohio State's Taylor Decker and Ole Miss' Robert Nkemdiche could both potentially still be on the board at that time. If not, the Packers could invest mid-round picks into linemen they hope to develop for a year before they take over for departing starters.
Keeping Aaron Rodgers upright and healthy - Green Bay allowed the fifth-most sacks (47) and eighth-most QB hits (104) in the NFL this season - should be high on the Thompson's priorities.
