General manager Ted Thompson, despite having nearly $30 million in salary-cap room at his disposal, has stayed true to form in not spending big bucks for other teams' players. His lone additions this offseason were lower-tier free agents -- onetime Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Duke Preston, an unrestricted free agent, and former Pittsburgh safety Anthony Smith, a restricted free agent who wasn't tendered by the Steelers.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The April 25-26 draft continues to be the dominating focus of the offseason for the Packers, who haven't been anything close to a big player in free agency.

Green Bay has signed only two players off the street, both of whom weren't big-name free agents: former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Anthony Smith and ex-Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Duke Preston.

The Packers will have nine picks in the draft.

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: Linebacker Nick Barnett reportedly is ahead of schedule in his rehab after undergoing late-season surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Barnett had been doing his recovery work in Arizona but recently reported to Green Bay for the team's offseason workout program. Barnett, who is projected to man one of the two inside linebacker spots in the Packers' new 3-4 defense, probably won't be ready for on-field work until training camp starts in late July.

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.

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.

--TE Tory Humphrey: Not tendered as RFA; $460,000/1 yr.

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

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

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--C Duke Preston: UFA Bills; $2M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--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.

--DE Kenneth Pettway (released/failed physical).