FILLING NEEDS

CB, DL and OT could highlight first three rounds

Three positions stand above all others as the Green Bay Packers prepare for the 2021 NFL draft. While other needs exist, including at wide receiver and linebacker, the needs at cornerback, defensive line and offensive tackle likely represent the Packers’ three biggest, considering the returning talent on the roster, the long-term outlook and overall value of each position.

While the Packers aren’t going to select players based solely on needs, the composition of the roster will help guide the process, and targeting the three positions could provide general manager Brian Gutekunst with the best options for building the best roster in 2021 and beyond.

Here’s a look at how the Packers could attack all three positions during the first three rounds of the draft:

Cornerback first

Even with Kevin King back on a oneyear deal, the Packers will need a longterm starter opposite Jaire Alexander. In the first round, the Packers could stay put at No. 29 overall or trade up to get one of the better cornerbacks in the class. Here are some options if the Packers target a cornerback in the first round:

First round: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Second round: OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan

Third round: DL Alim McNeil, NC State

First round: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

Second round: OT Brady Christensen, BYU

Third round: DL Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA

First round: CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State

Second round: OT Walker Stanford

Third round: DL Tommy Togiai, Ohio State

Little,

Defensive line first

The Packers have held onto Dean Lowry, but an infusion of talent along the defensive line is absolutely required. The position has Kenny Clark and a bunch of question marks. Adding a de

fensive lineman here could turn a weakness into a strength overnight:

First round: DL Christian Barmore, Alabama

Second round: CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse

Third round: OT Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa

Note: I’m not sure there is another sure-fire first-round prospect at defensive line after Barmore. Other secondround or third-round options (not included in this exercise) could include Milton Williams, Jay Tufele and Marlon Tuipulotu. This might be a position the Packers have to address on Day 2 or 3 if Barmore isn’t there.

Offensive tackle first

The Packers released Rick Wagner, and All-Pro David Bakhtiari is still recovering from a late-season ACL injury.

Bakhtiari and Billy Turner can be a strong tandem, but adding a young talent capable of playing either side could really help the Packers to start 2021 and well into the future.

First round: OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

Second round: CB Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky

Third round: DL Tyler Shelvin, LSU

First round: OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame

Second round: DL Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

Third round: CB Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota

First round: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

Second round: CB Paulson Adebo, Stanford

Third round: DL Daviyon Nixon, Iowa

TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI / USA TODAY SPORTS Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II, breaks up a pass against Purdue. Newsome is a possible option for the Packers if they decide to draft a cornerback in the first round of the NFL draft.