Mike McCarthy
A year ago, the Green Bay Packers knew they needed to address the safety position. They were constantly reminded about it during the 2014 Scouting Combine.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy pointed out during this year’s combine that he answered “seven” questions about the Packers’ safety position and compared it to this year, where the questions centered on linebackers.
The Packers went out and drafted Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the first round. His acquisition not only improved the position substantially, but Morgan Burnett then went out and had the best season of his career as well.
The Packers decided not to improve the position through free agency. They instead waited on the draft and were able to land Clinton-Dix with the 21st overall pick.
Could they be as fortunate at Inside Linebacker? They hold the 30th pick in this years draft. But they could also get help in free agency this time around. If they release linebackers A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones like most observers predict will happen, they would have roughly $30 million in cap room to sign their own free agents and perhaps one or two from the outside.
The Packers do have Sam Barrington back. He had a solid season in his second year with the Packers.
There’s always the chance that the Packers could keep Clay Matthews in the mix as well. Mike McCarthy said at his season ending press conference that they would look to address and improve the position and if that meant keeping Matthews inside moving forward, it would be considered.