The Green Bay Packers selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, which addressed one need of the roster. While it was an important step towards being the best possible version of this young team, there is still a lot of work to do for general manager Brian Gutekunst and his scouting department.

Let’s go through the remaining needs that can be addressed on Day 2, when the Packers have two draft selections—one in the second and another in the third round.

Edge rusher

Depth is not necessarily a problem for the Packers at the defensive end position. The room has Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre, Jeremiah Martin. The problem is that the top has been underwhelming over the past few seasons, especially considering how many resources the front office has put on for it to work.

Gary was a first-round pick and got a big extension, Van Ness is also a first-round pick, but there hasn't been the planned development. Maybe the coaching change will be enough, and that's why they hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington as the new defensive line coach, but an infusion of talent could help create a healthy competition.

Last year, the Packers traded Preston Smith away at the deadline, giving Brenton Cox and Arron Mosby more chances to succeed—and Cox did. However, Van Ness didn't impressed, and didn't even get more snaps.

Rashan Gary led the team with 47 pressures in 2024, but that was good enough for 47th in the league. That's simply not what the Packers have paid for.

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Cornerback

The Packers rebuilt their safety room in one offseason last year. The cornerback situation is not as drastic this time around, but it’s not that big of a gap either. The team is expected to trade or release Jaire Alexander at some point, while Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell left in free agency. Nate Hobbs was the first step, signing a four-year, $48 million deal. But they need more.

From the group that finished last season on the 53-man roster, excluding Alexander, the only options are Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine.

The other players in the room are practice squad/depth pieces, like Kamal Hadden, Kalen King, Isaiah Dunn, and Kaleb Hayes, defenders who finished the season on the practice squad and/or signed future deals in Green Bay.

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Defensive tackle

This is more of a long-term need, but it’s a real one. After losing TJ Slaton in free agency, the Packers starting duo has Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt, with Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden as the main rotational options.

However, Clark showed signs of regression after signing an extension last year, and he is a prime cut candidate if things don’t get back on track in 2025. Moreover, Wyatt is entering the final year of his rookie deal—at best, the Packers pick up his fifth-year option and he will be under contract through 2026. Based on these factors, it won’t be surprising if the Packers take one or even multiple pieces at the position.

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Offensive line

Theoretically, the Packers have six good offensive linemen. Jordan Morgan is the sixth guy and he can compete both at left tackle with Rasheed Walker, or at right guard with Sean Rhyan. But if you zoom out, things aren’t so pretty.

Walker and Rhyan are both free agents in 2026, and Zach Tom is too. Tom will most likely be extended, but the situation around the other two isn’t as clear.

If Morgan doesn’t work at left tackle, the Packers might be forced to extend Walker, and that would potentially create a scenario where they have to release Elgton Jenkins—it’s hard to pay four offensive linemen at the same time, and they signed Aaron Banks to a huge deal in free agency. If Morgan plays at LT and does well, the solution will be easier, but they would still need a right guard.

With these circumstances in place, the Packers need depth options and developmental pieces with a real chance to start as soon as next year.

Matthew Golden shares heartfelt perspective on being drafted by the Packers and what it means to start his career in Green Bay

It was a special moment