Packers’ Biggest Weaknesses Ahead of 2024 NFL Training Camp

The Green Bay Packers put together a playoff run as one of the youngest teams in the league last season. Now, they’ll look to build on that momentum to push even further in an NFC that feels wide open after the San Francisco 49ers.

The Packers could easily become one of the biggest obstacles for Kyle Shanahan’s team and challenge the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, but that’s going to depend on a few things breaking their way.

One of those things is getting better play than expected from a few positions that would be considered weaknesses right now.

Heading into training camp there are a few positions that would be considered weaknesses. Training camp should give a few of the options there a chance to show that they can turn those weaknesses into a strength.

It could also provide further evidence that they need to find additional options.

Here are three positions to keep an eye on as camp starts on Monday, July 22.

The Packers are known for their excellence in putting together an offensive line, but that reputation will be challenged this offseason. They are officially moving on from David Bakhtiari at left tackle.

While they’ve essentially been without him for most of the last three seasons, they are now charged with finding a long-term answer there.

For now, it appears that answer is Rasheed Walker. The 24-year-old had his ups and downs in his first season as a starter. He allowed six sacks and drew nine penalties in his 15 starts, per PFF.

If he’s able to build on that, then this won’t turn out to be a weakness, but development isn’t a guarantee and Walker’s seventh-round draft pedigree shifts his expectations. If he becomes the rare seventh-rounder that becomes a franchise tackle then the Packers will be incredibly fortunate.

The Packers did draft another possibility in first-rounder Jordan Mogran. However, he has sub-optimal length for the position and has struggled in OTAs and minicamp.

If Morgan has to kick inside then Walker will essentially have the job with no competition. That’s a lot of trust in a young tackle.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was brought in to fix a defense that was the Achilles heel of this team down the stretch last year. Improved cornerback play has to be a priority for him to achieve that goal.

This is a weakness that could be flipped into a strength quickly if they can stay healthy and the talent plays up to expectations. That hasn’t been the case recently though.

Jaire Alexander is elite when healthy, but he hasn’t consistently been on the field. Alexander missed all but seven games last year. Eric Stokes is a former first-round talent who has also struggled with injuries. He only played three games last season and nine in 2022.

The depth behind the duo is a little dicey as well. Keisean Nixon was an asset in the slot last season and Carrington Valentine can be counted on as an outside cornerback. The rest of the reserves are largely untested or not players that the Packers should be really comfortable with.

Rasul Douglas was a big part of the secondary but they traded him to Buffalo at last year’s deadline.

Even if Alexander and Stokes can remain on the field the Packers depth will be tested at some point and they have a lot to prove to be considered a strength.

The Packers linebacker room is one that is filled to the brim with potential but is short on proven production.

With Hafley brining in a base 4-3 defense, the position takes on added importance as there could be three off-ball linebackers on the field more. In a 3-4 there’s really only a need for two true off-ball linebackers.

Right now, it would appear those top three are Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie. Walker needs to continue developing to take the team’s No. 1 linebacker spot that was occupied by De’Vondre Campbell.

Edgerrin Cooper is dripping with athleticism and has a high ceiling. However, B/R’s Matt Holder was dubious of Cooper’s ability to contribute right away in his scouting report of the Texas A&M linebacker.

“Overall, Cooper is a bit of a project who might take a year or two to catch on. But in a weak linebacker class, he’ll be one of the top options available at the position,” Holder wrote.

McDuffie might be asked to be the second linebacker until Cooper can get up to speed in the league. He’s a decent option but not one that should be considered a strength. He earned a 58.4 grade from PFF while playing 48 percent of the snaps.