Green Bay's only acquisition of note in free agency is safety Anthony Smith, a restricted free agent let go by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Packers did bring in unrestricted free agent Duke Preston, an offensive lineman formerly of the Buffalo Bills, for a recent visit. Preston could provide insurance in the interior of the line.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

General manager Ted Thompson is staying steadfast in zeroing on the April 25-26 draft, in which the Packers have nine picks, to stockpile his roster rather than plug holes with players from other teams via free agency or trade.

Thompson has been on the road the last few weeks to attend the pro-day campus workouts of prospects he is giving consideration to selecting in a month.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive end: The switch to the 3-4 puts top pass rusher Aaron Kampman in a new role at outside linebacker. That leaves Cullen Jenkins, who is returning from a season-ending pectoral injury, and converted tackle Johnny Jolly to man the end spots. An upgrade can be had with the No. 9 pick in the draft, whether it's a robust end who fits the new scheme or an undersized pass rusher who can move to linebacker.

2. Defensive tackle: Given the change in philosophy, the Packers will need a stout nose tackle to line up over center and occupy multiple blockers. Incumbent Ryan Pickett gets the nod, but durability is a concern. Plus, Green Bay has next to nothing in reserve.

3. Offensive tackle: Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher have been the reliable bookends on the left and right sides, respectively, since their rookie season in 2000. The end of the line for them is near, and possibly this year for Tauscher, a free agent who needs the offseason to recover from knee surgery. Clifton also has been slowed by knee problems. The Packers like the young prospects on the roster, but adding another wouldn't hurt.

MEDICAL WATCH: Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters at the recent NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif., that right tackle Mark Tauscher might not be ready for the start of next season.

After preliminary indications that Tauscher was ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery for a torn ACL in mid-January and would be ready by training camp, McCarthy said, "It's a late injury. You do the math, and you're looking October 1 (for his return). That's what the math tells you."

Consequently, the Packers are in no hurry to re-sign Tauscher, an unrestricted free agent in his 10th year in the league.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--OT Mark Tauscher has been a mainstay in the Green Bay lineup at right tackle since his rookie season in 2000, but his starting days could be over. Tauscher will need the entire offseason and perhaps training camp to recover from a late-season torn ACL and subsequent surgery, leaving him to possibly accept a one-year deal to return as a backup.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--WR Shaun Bodiford (not tendered as RFA) missed the entire 2008 season because of a back injury and is a long shot to be back with the team loaded at receiver.

--TE Tory Humphrey (not tendered as RFA) stayed healthy for a full season for the first time in four years with the club and showed some flashes as a pass catcher. The late-season emergence of rookie Jermichael Finley and returning starter Donald Lee doesn't bode well for Humphrey's moving up the depth chart, however.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Atari Bigby (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) will be spending most of the offseason rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle that caused him fits all of last season. When healthy, Bigby has been a tenacious and productive starter at strong safety.

--FB John Kuhn (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) was an unsung player on offense in 2008 as a dependable run blocker and for grinding out some yards in short-yardage situations.

--WR Ruvell Martin (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) is no better than the fifth wideout on the roster, but he has an upside as a big target (6-4, 220) to move the chains.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--CB Tramon Williams gained seasoning in 2008 with nine starts and produced with five interceptions to rank third on the team. Depending on the status of Al Harris, who isn't a shoo-in to be kept by the team in the new scheme, Williams could be promoted from the nickel-back role he primarily had.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--CB Jarrett Bush: RFA; tendered at $1.01M (matched Titans offer); $4.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.

--DE Jason Hunter: RFA; $1.01M/1 yr.

--DE Michael Montgomery: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--S Anthony Smith: Not tendered as RFA by Steelers; $1.485M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB.

PLAYERS LOST

--DT Colin Cole: UFA Seahawks; $21.4M/5 yrs, $6M guaranteed.