Age is inevitable. Body deterioration is inevitable. Slowing down in the latter stages of a career and not being able to move as swiftly or quickly as one used to — also inevitable.

Long gone are the days of Clay Matthews wreaking havoc on the edge of newly-appointed defensive coordinator Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme, an adjustment that was made after Capers' hiring in 2009. The transition was the first time the Packers ran a 3-4 defensive scheme since 1993 for then-coordinator Ray Rhodes.

Soon-to-be nine years later, Matthews is seen by the vast majority — of social media at least — as a liability. However, if any recent example can counter that, it would be the 2016 season.

Being a "liability" would mean to put one at a disadvantage, whereas in this case, the Packers would typically be at a crossroads with Matthews on the field. But last season, Matthews being on his instinctive edge spot elevated the play of fellow linebacker Nick Perry. When Matthews was on the field on the opposite edge of Perry, Perry recorded 8.5 sacks as opposed to just 2.5 without Matthews, including a measly one-half of a sack during a three-game stint mid-season that Matthews missed with a hamstring injury.

From his 2012 rookie season through 2015, Perry had 12.5 sacks, but in 2016, he nearly edged out that total in a single season alone. Whether or not his onslaught of production in his fifth season is enough to net him a new contract remains to be seen. As it stands at the moment after several outside linebacker deals were struck with teams yesterday, it's arguable that Perry may be the best edge-rusher on the market. Perry agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million last March.

Matthews, meanwhile, finished with a career-low in sacks with just five in the nine games he started, also the lowest start total of his career. Another abnormality; 2016 was the first time since 2013 that Matthews didn't lead every Packers linebacker in defensive snaps. Edging him out was Datone Jones — who just finished his first full experimental season standing on the edge, Jake Ryan, Julius Peppers, Joe Thomas and Perry.

The situation at outside linebacker is a grim one for the Packers, and one that may more than likely be addressed in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

It's doubtful that Peppers returns to the Packers on a one-year deal at 37 years old and more likely that he finally hangs up the cleats after a 15-year career that saw him climb the all-time sack list into fifth place. Matthews is sporadic, Perry is ultimately ineffective without Matthews functioning at a high level which is a tall task in itself. Without those three, Jones (also awaiting a new deal) and second-year Kyler Fackrell headline the second tier. There isn't much to write home about.

Fortunately, the draft may do the writing for itself.

Many experts are projecting UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley to Green Bay, who would be converted to an edge-rusher in Capers' scheme. T.J. Watt, the younger brother to Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J., is also a heavily sought-after prospect. Being born and raised in Wisconsin, that would almost make too much sense.

Skeptics believe 29th overall where the Packers select would be a reach for Watt, and as seen in recent history, general manager Ted Thompson — draft and develop guru — strays completely from any mock that dares predict the next precious cargo that lands in Green Bay. One thing, however, is for certain:

With great pass rush, comes serviceable cornerback play.

All the Packers need is "serviceable" at the cornerback position. The hope is that third-year cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are going to make the third-year leap that wide receiver Davante Adams made in his third season. If the hope holds true, depth of Ladarius Gunter and a possible — possible — free agent acquisition can hold the fort down more than well enough.

If a consistent pass rush is formed, it's simple football mechanics. The opposing quarterback will rush the throw, have less time to scan through his progressions and eventually provide the secondary with turnovers that seemed so foreign to the Packers during the first half of 2016.

It all starts with the pass rush.

Speed and strength are needed at outside linebacker for the Packers. As if it must be reiterated; Peppers is more than likely gone, Matthews isn't getting any younger (and he's sporadic, as aforementioned) and Perry hasn't shown he can function just as well without talent opposite him. Aiming for an edge-rusher in the first round of April's draft can prove as a major help for the Packers, who desperately need it in their pass rush.