Still, it was a defensive collapse — the run defense, in particular — that led to the Packers' downfall against San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game in January. And while the criticism for that failure has focused on Pettine's scheme and the players' technique, a shortage of personnel played a major role as well. The Packers weren't good enough or deep enough along the defensive line and at inside linebacker. More important, they still aren't.
That's why it was curious when the Packers didn't select a defensive player until the fifth round in April's draft. As they found out last season after adding safety Adrian Amos and outside linebackers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith to the defense, free agency can be a great tool.