Here’s a look at the perceived draft needs of the Green Bay Packers, with heavy input from Matt Miller and David Gardner of NewEraScouting.com.   

Cornerback:  It’s a general consensus that this is the top need of the Packers, despite the fact that they have one of the best cornerback tandems in the league with Al Harris and Charles Woodson.  The problem is that Harris (33) and Woodson (31) will start to slow down before too long, and the Packers need to get their replacements lined up sooner rather than later.  The problem is this:  Al Harris was consistently beaten by top wide receivers this season, especially during the postseason.  The Packers have a few young corners on their roster as well, including former undrafted players Tramon Williams and Jarrett Bush (the nickel corner), and third-year player Will Blackmon.  Williams and Blackmon are especially valuable because they can return punts, a job that Woodson holds now but likely will be stripped of him as he gets older.Although the Packers reportedly would like to trade out of pick No. 30, they would be tempted to remain if a top corner is still on the board at this point.  Jim Thorpe Award winner Antoine Cason has garnered a lot of attention from the Packers, and he would be an excellent value at this point in the draft.  Although he didn’t show top-end speed at the Combine, he has showed it on the game field. Offensive tackle:  This position of need is very similar to the cornerback position.  Left tackle Chad Clifton (31) and right tackle Mark Tauscher (30) have been the bookends on this line since they were drafted together in 2000, but both of them are getting up there in age, and the depth here isn’t anything to write home about.  The Packers are very young behind their offensive line, with first-year starter Aaron Rodgers taking over at quarterback and a running back rotation that will feature two players (Ryant Grant and Brandon Jackson) in just their second year with the team.  The Packers need their line to protect Rodgers and open up lanes for their running backs now more than ever.

The Packers don’t have a lot of glaring weaknesses, so it would be a surprise to see them not draft an offensive tackle with one of their two second-round picks.  If USC OT Sam Baker falls this fall, it’s highly unlikely that the Packers pass on him. Another option would be Anthony Collins (Kansas), a good developmental prospect who likely could be had with their second-rounder from Cleveland.

Tight end:  The Packers parted ways with Bubba Franks — whose production had been slipping since 2004 – in the offseason.  It was a good move to get rid of a guy on the decline, especially when they have a bright young prospect in Donald Lee.  A former fifth-round pick of the Dolphins, Lee exploded last season with 48 catches for 575 yards and six touchdowns.  His presence creates mismatches for defenses who already have to account for the Packers’ three wide-receiver sets.  Beyond Lee, however, the Packers only have Ryan Krause and Tory Humphrey.  Humphrey, predominantly a special-teamer, has never even caught a pass in the NFL.

Because the top tight ends will mostly still be available in the back half of round two, the Packers could also fill a need here with tremendous pick value.  USC’s Fred Davis or Notre Dame’s John Carlson would be excellent picks here, and either would give the Packers more flexibility on offense.

Quarterback:  Aaron Rodgers looks like he has all the tools and the poise to be an NFL quarterback, but two concerns exist.  First, how will he deal with the pressure of following a future Hall of Famer who is a deity to his fan base?  Second, can he stay on the field for a full season?  In regards to the first question, many outlets are pointing to the fact that when Rodgers entered the game against the Cowboys, he immediately sparked the offense. I n that game, however, he didn’t have the shadow of Favre lingering over him.  Constantly.  Secondly, it’s hard to say for sure if he’ll be able to handle the full sixteen-game schedule at quarterback because he has been injured as a backup in each of the past two seasons.

The Packers will be looking for a late-round developmental prospect, who could either eventually be the starter if Rodgers doesn’t work out, or who could develop into a tradeable backup (i.e., Matt Schaub).  John David Booty (USC) is a name to watch.

Safety:  The safeties in the back of the Packers defense are all very talented but unproven.  Nick Collins has been a roller coaster in his three seasons in Green Bay, and they drafted Aaron Rouse to compete with him last year.  He did, and although he also flashed some vast potential, neither has proven that he can do it consistently.  First-year starter Atari Bigby made a name for himself in the playoffs last season with his big hits, and he figures to maintain the starting strong safety job, but there is little in the way of depth behind him.

Kenny Phillips, the top safety on most boards, could be available at the end of round one, and the Packers should at least think about selecting him.  Later in the draft they could target a player like Thomas DeCoud (California).