Green Bay Packers: 4 Veterans Who Should Be Looking over Their Shoulders

The Green Bay Packers have a great mix of young talent and veteran players who have helped them reach the playoffs for the last three years.

However, some veterans on the team should be looking out for their jobs. The young players on the Packers have proven their worth and will be putting the pressure on some key Packers veterans.

Ryan Pickett

Ryan Pickett has been a solid player for the Packers since joining the team in 2006. He has been a good run stopper and a great force on the front line.

However, at the age of 32, Pickett is the oldest player on the front line and will most likely be the one player who could lose a majority of playing time.

It is no secret that the Packers struggled last season on defense. They were tied for the lead league in interceptions, but were ranked 27th in sacks. The lack of pressure allowed elite quarterbacks, such as Eli Manning, to torch the Packers for big gains down the field.

This lack of a pass rush will have the Packers looking for a defensive end in the draft.

Whoever is chosen will be getting the nod as the starter if he is close to same level as Pickett. The Packers know what Pickett can do. He has already reached his prime and will be looked over for a younger player if he is showing potential.

Chad Clifton

Chad Clifton has been a spectacular left tackle for the Packers ever since he has been in the league. He has helped protect the blindside of star quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

After having an injury-plagued season in 2011, Clifton may be close to the end of his career.

If Clifton chooses to come back with the Packers, he will have to be aware that even one missed game could put him on the bench. With players like Marshall Newhouse on the bench, the Packers have decent linemen who can take over the left tackle spot.

Since he is coming off back surgery and a hamstring injury, his quickness off the line may be slower and will make the Packers quicker on pulling him out of the lineup.

Jermichael Finley

This one may be stretching the word "veteran", as Jermichael Finley is only entering his fifth season in the NFL. Nonetheless, Finley needs to be looking over his shoulder.

He just signed a modest two-year contract with the Packers during the offseason for $15 million. This contract is not the long-term deal that many people were expecting Green Bay to make. The small length in the contract is a sign that management still does not trust Finley.

Before the 2012 season started, Finley called the season "the year of the takeover." He even had a custom made shoe with the letters YOTTO on the side. An injury that placed him on the IR ended any dreams of a takeover, as the Packers went on to win the Super Bowl.

Last season, the Packers tight end had a great season and showed he was a threat for defenders. At the end of the season and in the playoffs, Finley started dropping the ball on a regular basis. This has to be why his new contract was only two years. The Packers cannot have a tight end who drops the ball with the NFL seemingly changing to a tight end league.

Finley needs to improve on his drops or he may find himself sitting on the bench more in late-game situations.

Donald Driver

This is probably not shocking to anyone, but Donald Driver will most likely have a small part in the Packers offense in 2012.

In two years, the long-time Packer has gone from 70 catches down to 37. He has already fallen behind Jordy Nelson in the depth chart and may lose more playing time this season to James Jones or Randall Cobb.

Driver is 37 years old and has shown signs of slowing down. While it is still a possibility that Driver could retire this offseason, the veteran receiver has not said anything to the Packers to indicate that.

The Packers best position from top to bottom is at the wide receiver position.

Driver would still be a great fit on many teams, but with the amount of talent the Packers have, it will be hard for the Dancing With the Stars contestant to keep up.

If Driver is comfortable playing limited snaps for another year, then he should be welcomed back. However, he does need to realize that there are young receivers breathing down his neck to take the final wideout spots on the roster.