Packers' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Free Agency

The Green Bay Packers were not a huge player in 2022 free agency. After going 8-9 and missing the playoffs, they might be a little more active in 2023.

Traditionally, the Packers have not been big spenders on the free-agent market. They haven't had to be. They typically do enough in the "draft and develop" department that they don't have to fill many holes with big-name targets.

They've also been pretty good about finding perfect fits to patch some areas, though. In 2021, they made huge strides on defense in part because of cheap deals for De'Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas.

This season, Green Bay faces the task of building a better team in 2023 while starting with $6 million in salary-cap space before it makes any additional moves to open up some room.

Tight End

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Robert Tonyan is a free agent.

It wouldn't hurt for the Packers to address this need through both free agency and the NFL draft.

Notre Dame's Michael Mayer would not be a bad draft target in the first round, but the team should also be looking to add a veteran option at the position.

The Packers were in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) at the second-highest rate in the league last season. Now Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis and Tyler Davis are all free agents.

That leaves a pretty big hole at a position Matt LaFleur enjoys utilizing. The team could bring back Tonyan, but this might be a good opportunity to look at other options. The 28-year-old had a breakout season in 2020 with 586 yards and 11 touchdowns, but Green Bay hasn't seen that production from him since.

With Jordan Love potentially taking over at quarterback, the need for a consistent target who can also block in the running game is going to be even greater.

Someone like Austin Hooper could make sense. He isn't a field-stretching option but he does a good job of catching the ball and finding the soft spots in zones while providing blocking in the run game.

Interior Defensive Line

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Sheldon Rankins could help fix the run defense.

Jarran Reed was one of the few significant outside free agents the Packers brought in last year. He was supposed to help with the pass rush and provide a veteran presence along the defensive line.

The 30-year-old was moderately successful in that role. He had 2.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 52 total tackles. Now he's set to be a free agent, and the Packers will have to decide whether to bring him back on another short-term contract.

Whether they do or not, they will likely need to bring in at least one more interior defender. Dean Lowry is also hitting the market, and he offered little in the pass rush department with just half a sack and five quarterback hits on the year.

After finishing with the fifth-worst run defense in the league, the Packers should be looking to upgrade or at least find some different body types at this position.

It doesn't have to be a flashy signing. Someone like Sheldon Rankins or Larry Ogunjobi, who have plenty of experience and proven production as a run-stuffer, would be an ideal addition to their defensive-line rotation.

Wide Receiver

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Mecole Hardman could give the passing game a spark.

Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the future at wide receiver, but with Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb set to hit free agency, there's a need for reinforcements.

Re-signing Lazard should be a priority. It's clear he's never going to be a true WR1, but he gives the Packers another big-bodied receiver to pair with Watson, which will give teams without size in their secondary some real issues.

Whether Cobb is worth bringing back is a good question, though. The veteran has a great rapport with Aaron Rodgers, but if Jordan Love ends up being the starter, it's unclear if they will have the same chemistry.

Instead, the Packers could look to use the roster spot and money to find a younger option with a little more upside.

Someone like Mecole Hardman could play an important role. The 24-year-old is an elite athlete with the ability to create separation in one-on-one situations.

The 2023 offseason needs to be about reforming the offense. Finding a veteran tight end and free agent to supplement a youth movement at those positions could be crucial.