Green Bay Packers: 5 Players Who Need to Be Replaced

The Green Bay Packers' season may have ended in disappointment this year, but the Packers are in great position to make a run towards Super Bowl XLVII with just a few roster moves. With a young, talented filled team, the Packers need some replacements at a few starter positions in order to strengthen their hold atop the NFL landscape. 

Fortunately, the Packers have a core of young stars, especially on offense, that will keep the team competitive no matter what. Defensively, the Packers need a couple more pieces after finishing with one of the league's worst defenses.

The first step in the offseason process is for the Packers to bring back tight end Jermichael Finley, whether that be through the use of the franchise tag or a long-term deal. Next, the Packers will look to lock up center Scott Wells. Then, it's time for the replacements for these starters.   

A.J. Hawk

Last season was filled with ups and downs for A.J. Hawk. Like most of his career, he showed flashes of being a great player, but failed to do so consistently throughout the year and missed time with a calf injury. When he missed time, backup D.J. Smith didn't hesitate to make the most of his opportunity. 

There was little drop-off with Hawk out of the lineup, as Smith did a fine job and brought an aggression that the defense lacked most of the season. With a backup that proved he can be effective given starter minutes, the Packers have to make a choice regarding Hawk and his hefty contract. 

According to Roto World, Hawk is scheduled to make $4.4 million, while standout Clay Matthews' base salary is expected to be around $800,000. The $4.4 million is a lot to be paying a player when the Packers have a viable option right behind Hawk.  

Erik Walden

Erik Walden was another weak spot on the Packers defensive, playing opposite Clay Matthews at the right outside linebacker position. With Matthews on one side of the field and Walden on the other, coordinators took advantage of going right at Walden. 

Walden failed to maintain the edge in the rushing game on numerous occasions and failed to generate any pressure in pass-rushing situations. With a lack of pass rush, the Packers gave up way too much time to opposing quarterbacks and were picked apart through the air. 

Some replacements that have been mentioned in mock drafts include Nick Perry and Whitney Mercilus, and both of those players have seen their stock rise over the last few weeks, possibly leaving the Packers out of luck unless they trade up. 

If the Packers don't feel like they can get the value they need in the first rounds of the draft, free agent Jarret Johnson could be an option. The former Ravens linebacker wouldn't be a flashy signing in any sense, but he could make all the difference for the Packers. 

Charlie Peprah

Despite coming up with five interceptions on the season, Charlie Peprah was one of the weakest spots on the Packers roster. He struggled to communicate in coverage at times and was awful at wrapping up opposing players, surrendering plenty of missed tackles. 

Peprah was actually in fact a replacement for safety Nick Collins, but with Collins' health still in question, there is a good chance the Packers will be forced to move forward without Collins. If this is the case, the Packers need to do better than Peprah or at least bring in some competition to push Peprah.

In the best-case scenario, Nick Collins returns to the football field after a scary neck injury left his career in doubt.  

Mike Neal

Another downfall of the Packers defense was the inability to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In the absence of Cullen Jenkins, the Packers ended into the season with Mike Neal as the replace and heir to the Packers' pass rush. Neal's preseason injury ended that talk and the Packers' line never recovered. 

With Neal's health issues, the Packers need to bring in some help on the defensive line regardless of whether that player will start immediately or not.

Some defensive linemen being linked to the Packers in mock drafts include Andre Branch and Fletcher Cox in the first round. Either pick would be beneficial for the Packers, but Branch appears to be more NFL-ready from the get-go.  

Ryan Grant

As a free agent, Ryan Grant is likely to be rocking a different uniform next season instead of the green and gold that he has worn for most of his career. The Packers will need the cap space to help re-sign some of their big-name players in the next few years, including Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. 

With Grant out of the picture, the Packers have a trio of backs returning from last season in James Starks, Brandon Saine and Alex Green. Starks struggled to stay healthy throughout the year with injuries to both ankles. Green missed most of the year after tearing his ACL. Saine got playing time towards the end of the year and showed some potential. 

The Packers may feel comfortable with the trio, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the Packers bring in a running back through the draft. The round in which they do so may depend on the comfort level they feel with their young guns. The Packers could surprise a lot of people and go running back in Round 1 and end up with a very talented back in Chris Polk.