Green Bay Packers: 5 Positions That Need to Be Upgraded

The Green Bay Packers have finished out the regular season 15-1.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Despite this, there have been some evident weak spots along the lines that are cause for concern for the coaching staff and attentive public.

During the offseason, when scouts are at their busiest, here are a few positions they will likely be looking to upgrade.

Second-String Quarterback

It has been suggested that Matt Flynn may have a franchise tag placed on him in the near and upcoming future.

Doing so would put the one-year tender at a guaranteed value of $14 million, so GM Ted Thompson would be risking a salary-cap by the tag.

The anticipated intent? A trade to follow, with Green Bay receiving a first-found pick or possibly even a first- and third-round draft pick. Quarterbacks are in high need right now, and with soon-to-be free agent Flynn performing so well in Aaron Rodger's shadow, Green Bay will likely be looking for someone new to fill the backup shoes in case Graham Harrell isn't all they hope he may be.

Green Bay prides themselves on elite quarterbacks. You can be confident that they won't put all of their eggs in one basket.

Tackles

Comparing the (unofficial) depth chart on the Green Bay website for Week 17 to the original chart back in Week 1, the most significant changes have been made to the offensive line.

Chad Clifton is finally seeing some action again with the Pack after a long hiatus. Fellow former LT Derek Sherrod, though, was put on injured reserve long ago, with former second-stringer Marshall Newhouse picking up the slack on their behalf.

With Rodgers being sacked 36 times so far this year, that's the second-highest amount of hits in his career for any given season.

Green Bay definitely needs a little more depth in the blocking department, even with Clifton's return. Expect some upgrades.

Guards

The guards have been shuffled around like a pack of playing cards as well throughout the weeks.

Evan Dietrich-Smith is now pulling double duty as center and left guard. Rookie Ray Dominguez was also thrown into the mix when Newhouse went first string as left tackle.

Fellow guard Josh Sitton sat out a few weeks with a knee injury as well, showing the need for a stronger depth chart.

Maybe with a well-orchestrated trade with Flynn, Green Bay can use an extra pick to strengthen this part of the offensive line.

Defensive Line

Fortunately, the Green Bay defense has not been quite as plagued by injury as the offensive line. Granted, injuries by Ryan Pickett, Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson have made a difference in the defensive performance.

With a league-high 31 interceptions, we can see that the defense is doing something right, despite being ranked so terribly.

Looking at the pass defense last week against the Lions, we see fault when we realize that Matthew Stafford threw for 520 yards, with the majority going through cornerback Tramon WIlliams.

Expect some shuffling around of the Packers defense. Dom Capers should by no means be content with the performance this line had this year, and he won't likely rest until it's improved. I can't even just pick one position to upgrade; the whole unit needs some massive CPR.

Special Teams

With Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson getting an increase in wide receiver action after offensive injuries kept their counterparts on the sidelines, we may be seeing more of a focus on some special team replacements.

Having versatile players is an asset to any coach, but having any player spread too thin in practice between different areas isn't good for anyone who is trying to perfect a position.

Shawn Slocum, special teams coordinator for the Pack, has shown talent for working with young and developing special teams players. In 2010, Slocum guided punter Tim Masthay to one of the best seasons ever by a Green Bay punter, finishing with a 37.6-yard net average.

Desmond Bishop, Tom Crabtree and Brandon Underwood were among the others guided by Slocum to success in their first seasons with the Packers.

Expect some new meat for him to work with, not necessarily because special teams is lacking but because Slocum doing great with almost everyone since he took the position in 2006.

Green Bay Potential

It's amazing how the team with the worst-ranked defense just came out on top of the league.

Can you only imagine how unstoppable they would be if they could patch up their weak spots? Ultimately, even the best-dressed knight can be taken down if they are barefoot and step on a spike.

Green Bay needs to make sure they are fully suited up, head to toe, if they want to continue to be NFL champions.

Ted Thompson has some shoes to fill, and the offseason will be the time to find those upgrades.

Who do you feel would be a good addition to the Green Bay team?