The Green Bay Packers had some big holes to fill after a quiet free agency period and nose tackle B.J. Raji announced he won't play in 2016.

Traditionally, the Packers and GM Ted Thompson like to use the draft to fill their needs rather than spend money on free agents. So far that is exactly what they have done.

  • Round One: Kenny Clark, DT UCLA, 6'3" 314 lbs
  • Round Two: Jason Spriggs, OT Indiana, 6'6" 301 lbs (Traded up to 48th pick, gave Colts their third round, a fourth round and a seventh round)
  • Round Three: Kyler Fackrell, LB Utah St., 6'5" 245 lbs
  • Round Four: Blake Martinez, ILB Stanford, 6'2" 237 lbs
  • Round Four: Dean Lowry, DE North Western, 6'6" 296 lbs
  • Round Five: Trevor Davis, WR California, 6'1" 188 lbs (Return Specialist)
  • Round Six: Kyle Murphy, OT Stanford, 6'6" 305 lbs

The Packers address defensive tackle right away in the first round with a high motor player and one of the best run stuffers in the draft according to some analysts. Clark was second on the team in tackles with 75 and in sacks with six last season.

Thompson traded up in the second round to go get offensive tackle Spriggs, who the Packers didn't think would fall to them at 57.

Spriggs is someone I believe could give tackles David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga a run for their money during training camp. Both tackles struggled throughout the year to seal the edge in pass protection.

Green Bay in rounds two and three went and found more defensive help. Linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez could have potential starting roles in 2016 since the Packers only solid inside linebacker is Sam Barrington.

However, he is coming back from a season ending ankle injury in 2015. Clay Matthews is returning to the outside with the departure of Mike Neal and Nate Palmer was underwhelming last year as a fill-in for Barrington.

Dean Lowry will be a complementary piece on the defensive line but also has an opportunity to see good time if Letroy Guion under performs at defensive end.


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