Following the massive success of the NFL draft in Green Bay, the Packers have filled a crucial need with the player they hope will become their No. 1 wide receiver of the future, Matthew Golden. President Mark Murphy announced the pick to a raucous Lambeau crowd, which popped after he teased the selection with “for the first time since 2002.” However, after Brian Gutekunst returned to the receiver well on Day 2 with Savion Williams, it became clear that they wouldn’t address significant defensive needs.
Cornerback and edge rusher are two premium positions that suddenly look dicey. The surprise lack of a cornerback addition has already led to steam building for Jaire Alexander‘s return, whose future with the organization has been openly in question. With Alexander, the Packers appear to be on the cusp of resolving their cornerback woes relatively smoothly in-house. While no player comparable to Alexander currently exists on the roster to address the edge, the Carolina Panthers released a productive veteran who could potentially be an equally easy answer.
It may not have been this cycle, but make no mistake, Jadeveon Clowney was a draft phenom in his own right. After a dominating run in the SEC with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Clowney was tabbed as the undisputed top prospect from wire to wire of draft season in 2014. While he hasn’t lived up to the sky-scraping hype train he rode into the league, he has turned in a string of productive seasons for six franchises. After Carolina released him, he will be looking for his seventh, and there is no better fit than Green Bay.
The Packers recently extended their primary edge rusher of the future, Rashan Gary, who, like Alexander, is one of Gutekunst’s first-round picks. Another such player, Lukas Van Ness, became the de facto heir apparent to the other side of the defense when the Packers drafted him two years ago.
When Preston Smith requested a trade last season, seeking a better schematic fit for his skillset, Van Ness was the obvious candidate to take a step forward. His struggles, combined with lower-than-expected production from veterans Gary and Kenny Clark, illuminated the need to add to the pass-rushing room in the offseason. After coming up empty during free agency and the draft, Clowney is practically falling into their lap as the perfect fit.
Commenting on Clowney’s release, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said, “All those reps are valuable. This is a time to ensure [young players] get the volume of reps and the learning.”
That attitude makes sense for an organization as lost and far from contention as Carolina.
In Green Bay’s case, they are looking to take the leap from a strong team to a legitimate contender in the NFC. It was one of the first things Gutekunst discussed following the loss in Philadelphia. While we cannot draw any conclusions about what Van Ness will or will not become, it is also a big ask for the front office to enter the season with so much resting on his unproven shoulders.
Like Gary, Van Ness was selected for his physical traits and upside rather than his college production. Gary’s breakout occurred towards the end of his rookie contract, after spending years playing rotationally behind Preston and Za’Darius Smith. Ideally, Van Ness’ development follows a similar path. For now, they desperately need another reliable presence in that room, and Clowney strikes the perfect balance of veteran experience, affordability, and flexibility to pass the baton to Van Ness in the near future.
The Packers are also operating from a place of financial flexibility. They were relatively quiet in free agency, adding Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs. Gutekunst passed on the D.K. Metcalf sweepstakes, which cost the Pittsburgh Steelers a premium draft pick and $150 million. They also appear poised to gain increased flexibility from whatever resolution manifests with Alexander. Jadeveon Clowney checks just about every box for the type of early summer acquisition that could make a true difference this season.
