Packers Morning Buzz: A revised look at Green Bay's biggest draft needs

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with safety replacing edge rusher as the Packers' biggest need entering the NFL draft, according to Pro Football Focus. Here's how PFF rates Green Bay's three most pressing priorities:

Top needs: S, WR, LB

Gone is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and in is Adrian Amos in one of our favorite deals of free agency. However, opposite Amos will likely be Josh Jones if they weren’t to address the position further this offseason as Jones finished with a 61.7 overall grade to rank 74th overall a season ago. A year removed from selecting two cornerbacks with their first two picks, the Packers seemingly know the importance of coverage on the backend, but they should also be wary of the fact that they’re lacking in the game’s second-most valuable facet: receiving. Randall Cobb is a Dallas Cowboy and Davante Adams is as good as they come, but he can’t do it all. A trio of second-year players will likely see extended time as Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and J’Mon Moore each impressed at times last season (albeit some in preseason), but another viable target for Aaron Rodgers seems vital.

You can check out every team's top needs here:

Pete Dougherty talks to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay on what to expect when Matt LaFleur addresses his team for the first time:

In this podcast video, LaFleur says to expect more "condensed formations" and more motion in the Packers' offense:

Adam Schein of NFL.com gives a nod to the NCAA's Sweet 16 in basketball by coming up with an admittedly way-too-early prediction of the six playoff teams — plus two bubble teams — in each conference for 2019. And yes, the Packers receive a berth in the Sweet 16, claiming the No. 6 spot in the "NFC Region."

Schein writes:

6) Green Bay Packers: The Packers added three new starters/upgrades on defense: safety Adrian Amos, as well as pass rushers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith. And a new coach in Matt LaFleur. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers is healthy. Enough said.

To see the top seeds in each conference, check out the story here:

New Packers safety Adrian Amos has been vocal in his disapproval of replay-review expansion:

The "Good Morning Football" gang sings the praises of Jordy Nelson:

And here they single out Nelson's top-five plays against the Bears:

How uncertain do the Packers appear on offense without departed-to-Dallas slot receiver Randall Cobb? Even with Davante Adams, they don't make Gil Brandt's rankings of the NFL's top 11 receiver duos:

Safe to say the Packers have focused on defense with their first-round draft picks:

Another day, another mock draft: This one, a four-rounder from NFL.com's Chad Reuter, agrees with the building consensus that the Packers will get Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson at No. 12. With the No. 30 pick, Reuter projects them to take safety Johnathan Abram of Mississippi State:

PICK 12  T.J. Hockenson - TE  School: Iowa | Year: Sophomore (RS) 
It's a coin flip whether the Packers take Ed Oliver or Hockenson here, but in this scenario, Green Bay gets a receiving threat for Aaron Rodgers and a fierce blocker for the run game.

PICK 30  Johnathan Abram - S  School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior 
After addressing an offensive need with the 12th pick, the Packers find a leader for the secondary in Abram.

You can see the Packers' projected picks for Rounds 2-4 here:

The Eagles are hanging onto former Packers tight end Richard Rodgers, who appeared in only seven games and had one reception last season:

And finally: Although it's not connected to anything on the football field, the Packers presented details of their spring programming plans for the Titletown District:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt