Green Bay Packers Have Luxury of Waiting on Defensive Tackle in 2015 NFL Draft

Until Monday, defensive tackle was one of the Green Bay Packers' most pressing needs heading into the 2015 draft. That's no longer the case.

By re-signing B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion, general manager Ted Thompson has given himself the freedom to select any number of positions in the early rounds of the draft—perhaps even addressing either position of great need, inside linebacker and cornerback, twice before Day 3.

Training camp will give us a better sense of how the two big bodies will fit into the snap count on the defensive line in 2015.

On one hand, Raji was preparing throughout training camp last summer to move back to his more natural and productive fit at nose tackle prior to tearing his bicep and spending the season on injured reserve. On the other hand, Guion did a fine job of stepping in for the injured Raji, with career highs in combined tackles (32) and sacks (3.5). He also posted a pass defensed and forced fumble.

If Raji is tabbed for the starting nose tackle position, defensive coordinator Dom Capers could use defensive line rotations to get Guion, Datone Jones and Josh Boyd involved on the other end from Mike Daniels.

Of course, at some point the Packers may have to deal with a suspension to Guion from the league office resulting from his offseason arrest.

Per Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "His arrest for felony possession of marijuana means the league is reviewing his case for violating either of its off-field disciplinary policies, substance abuse or personal conduct."

However, it's important to realize that though Green Bay may have an embarrassment of riches at the nose tackle position this season—Mike Pennel is further insurance should injuries occur—the team could find itself in the same position it was in a week ago next offseason.

Raji and Guion both only signed one-year, prove-it deals, and depending on their level of play this season, one or both of them could walk in free agency next offseason.

In fact, that both Raji and Guion signed for more than expected indicates that they're possibly both in their last year in Green Bay. If they play well, they've set a higher earning ceiling.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Raji's deal could be worth up to $4 million with incentives, which amounts to the same as he received last offseason. Guion theoretically could have been signed for the seven-year veteran minimum of $870,000, but he received $2.75 million.

So while Thompson no longer needs to seriously consider the draft's top nose tackle prospects—Florida State's Eddie Goldman, Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips—the Packers should have the foresight to add a player to the roster in the middle rounds of the draft who could develop into a starter.

One such player could be UCLA prospect Ellis McCarthy, whom the Packers could look to draft around Round 6.

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McCarthy is ideally sized for Green Bay's scheme at 6'5" and 338 pounds. His weight varied at UCLA, so the Packers would want to make sure he stays in shape if he doesn't start.

Though he only started eight games for the Bruins as a sophomore, McCarthy had 31 tackles, including four for loss, and two sacks, which earned him honorable mention all-conference honors.

In 2014, playing backup nose tackle and defensive end, he had 21 tackles and three sacks. He "possesses the core strength to anchor against double-teams and has long, strong arms to latch on and drag ball-carriers to the ground," per Rob Rang of CBSSports.com.

Given time to develop in Green Bay's system, McCarthy could be ready to start in a year or two and would represent an excellent value in Round 6.

After all, Guion was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, and he was excellent anchoring the line last season.

Raji and Guion may still only be a short-term fix on the defensive line, but now Thompson can comfortably wait until the middle rounds to draft a defensive tackle. Even then, the pick is a luxury, setting the team up for future success.