Packers Morning Buzz: Defense not the only concern in Green Bay

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee (or brew some English breakfast tea, if that’s your thing) and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start with Pete Dougherty’s column on the challenges the Packers face at the wide receiver position.

From Pete:

With or without Nelson and Cobb, the Packers don’t have the depth at receiver and tight end to withstand a serious injury to their newest big-contract receiver.

Nelson and Cobb are two of the biggest offseason decisions facing new general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Mike McCarthy.

Both veteran receivers have been important players for the franchise for years. But both are showing the inevitable effects of age and attrition, and also command big salaries – Nelson is set to make about $10.2 million this year, and Cobb about $9.5 million.

Some of the hardest and most important personnel decisions are when to move on from good players. The old aphorism that it’s better to do it a year early than a year late is as true today as ever. And that’s what Gutekunst and McCarthy have to think about here.

The Packers gave Ed Policy a promotion:

I chatted with readers on Facebook Live on Wednesday afternoon:

Tom Silverstein and LeRoy Butler have a bunch of great insight in their latest videos: 

 Mason Crosby shows off some of his Robin Hood skill set:

Elsewhere, Mel Kiper has the Packers taking Marcus Davenport in his first mock draft of the year:

From Kiper:

Yes, Green Bay has Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, but Matthews will be 32 when the 2018 season begins, and he hasn't had double-digit sacks in a season since 2014, and Perry didn't replicate his breakout 2016 season and had only 13 quarterback knockdowns. The Packers need a young pass-rusher. There has been a buzz about Davenport, who has a huge 6-6 frame and rare quick-twitch traits off the edge. He's one of the best pure pass-rushers in this class, and we'll get to see him against better competition at the Senior Bowl.

Over at Pro Football Focus, they have the Packers taking Harold Landry in their latest mock:

From their website:

Complementing a solid interior defensive line will be a priority in Green Bay and Landry brings an every-down option off the edge. He had the nation’s No. 7 pass-rush grade in 2016, finishing with 18 sacks, seven QB hits and 44 hurries. He posted the No. 4 grade against the run in 2015, so we’ve seen him succeed in both key areas, and if he puts it all together, he could be the best edge defender in the class.

Jack Wepfer wonders if the Packers should take a big swing in free agency to build their defense:

Looks like the Packers had their eye on J.T. Barrett at the East-West Shrine game:

Former assistant defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery bid his former players adieu:

Lombardi Ave. takes a look at a tough call the Packers need to make:

Brett Favre is up against Peyton Manning in the NFL Films mic’d up contest:

Here’s a Packers season review from a guy with Bears and Cubs stuff on his wall:

The Ranter has a suggestion: