Could the Packers Target Offensive Line Early In the Draft?

The Green Bay Packers enter this week's draft with clear needs at multiple positions. Cornerback and interior defensive line are the obvious yearning points, but no GM worth their salt will lock in on immediate needs only.

Best-case scenario, Brian Gutekunst will have his choice of high-quality defensive tackles or corners when the Packers finally pick at 52 — but one never knows when a positional run will start.

If the Packers don't like their options, don't be surprised if they go another direction early.

Even with other secondary needs like edge or wide receiver, the Packers could pivot and take an offensive lineman early, even without a glaring need at a starter position. It may not be the most exciting use of resources, but Green Bay could stand to improve at nearly every spot along the offensive line.

Between injuries, out-of-position players, and a lack of depth, the Packers conjured an underwhelming offensive line last season. Still, the Packers seem to have a much better grasp on their linemen heading into 2026, with a much clearer idea of what the ideal lineup looks like.

We expect Jordan Morgan to finally get a fair shot at left tackle, a hopefully healthier Aaron Banks to man left guard, the recently re-signed Sean Rhyan at center, sophomore Anthony Belton growing into right guard, and the ever-reliable Zach Tom manning the left tackle spot. The vision is clear, something we couldn't say last season with all of the moving parts and expiring contracts.

They've spent significant resources on each spot. Tom signed a massive extension last season, while draftmate Rhyan signed his this spring. Banks was 2025's big free-agent splash. Morgan is a first-rounder, while Belton is a recent second-round pick.

In an ideal world, all of those investments pan out, leaving Green Bay with a solid line.

We do not live in an ideal world.

Morgan and Belton are still unproven, if promising. Banks' contract is based on what the Packers believe he can be rather than what he's shown thus far. Rhyan's extension was almost a necessity to fill the immediate need at center. Tom is the only presumed starter to have truly proven himself, but he has dealt with injuries and might not be 100% by the time the 2026 season starts.

Even then, there are major concerns with depth. Things are particularly bleak on the interior, with Jacob Monk yet to slide into a meaningful role. The Packers re-signed Darian Kinnard for tackle depth, but they could also use an upgrade at swing tackle.

History says Gutekunst will almost certainly invest in the offensive line at some point this weekend. Only once has he not drafted at least one offensive lineman -- in 2023. In all of those other drafts, sans 2018 and 2019, Gutekunst took at least two. Green Bay's general manager understands the importance of depth along the offensive line.

The question is whether he'll attack that position room early.

A top-100 pick on a player without an obvious route toward playtime won't cause much excitement. The Packers are in a win-now mode with this version of the roster, thanks to Jordan Love and Micah Parsons' massive contracts. How much does a depth lineman really move the needle for 2026?

Based on recent top-30 visits, Green Bay is at least entertaining the idea.

While only two of their top-30 visits are offensive linemen, compared to five CBs and three each for RB, DT, and WR, the team hosted Max Iheanachor. The Arizona State offensive tackle is in the early 30 range according to most big boards, meaning he's likely gone before the Packers have a chance to draft him. But if there's a fall or the Packers really like him, they could seize the opportunity and have Iheanachor as a swing tackle with a shot at a starting spot if Morgan struggles.

A similar path is available for any promising tackle if the board falls that way.

Green Bay's interior is far from untouchable. We don't know if Rhyan is Green Bay's ideal long-term solution at center or just a stopgap, and Banks and Belton have a lot to prove in Year 2. If they think there is someone available at 52 that could quickly become a Pro Bowl-level  -- we need a new term for this since the Pro Bowl is a joke -- guard or center, they'll pounce. A player like Iowa's Gennings Dunker feels Packery and is in the early 60s on most consensus boards, for example.

Still, the Packers excel at finding and developing Day 3 offensive linemen, and even mediocre tackles get drafted early due to positional value. The case where the Packers' other needs aren't readily available but truly quality linemen fall to them at 52 feels unlikely, but anything can happen in the draft.

If Green Bay wants a deeper playoff run this season, its offensive line needs to be better. Ideally, the current group can stay healthy and make a leap, and Gutekunst can wait until Day 3 to target depth. But with so little truly established on the current line and the overall wackiness of the draft, don't rule out an early offensive line investment.