Green Bay packers know they will likely be limited during the free agency, which begins later this month, but CEO Brian Gutekunst believes he will have the flexibility to get a deal if there are one or two free agents he wants. add.
While packers may not be active buyers, they could be good-value buyers in the pool of reduced veteran players to save space on the salary cap around the NFL.
Free agency is often the time to meet needs. Grab the best talent from the draft, but target veterans who can meet the needs in free agency. It’s a strategy the Packers have used since they hired Gutekunst in 2018.
Here’s a look at the main needs of packers to get into the free agency:
Cornerback
AP Photo / Kamil Krzaczynski
Under contract (5): Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Ka’dar Hollman, Stanford Samuels, KeiVarae Russell
Free agents (3): Kevin King (unrestricted), Chandon Sullivan (restricted), Parry Nickerson (restricted)
This could be a position where packers are active in finding veterans available in free agency. Alexander is a true No. 1 and one of the best corners in the game, but it’s unclear if the Packers will have another starting corner with a contract next league year. Years of errors in the drafts have been added, once again creating a significant need in the position. Here it may be necessary to add a veteran and a high level selection. Packers will likely have to find an initial perimeter corner and a nickel corner this off-season, and the free agency is likely to be part of the solution.
Offensive entry
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Under contract (2): David Bakhtiari, Billy Turner
Free agents (2): Jared Veldheer (unrestricted), Yosh Nijman (exclusive rights)
The Packers released Rick Wagner to save none. As a bargain signing last March, Wagner admirably filled the right attacks for long stretches in 2020. Without him, the Packers lack depth in offensive attacks that go into free agency. Bakhtiari will likely miss the start of 2021, leaving Turner as the only healthy attack contracted. Nijman will return, and Elgton Jenkins is the candidate to play with a proper attack, possibly even in the long run. This position is needed considerably if the Packers think Jenkins is the future within reach. Maybe the Packers can convince Veldheer to come back all year. Or maybe there’s a different veteran willing to sign a one-year financial agreement to provide depth.
Defensive line
Photo AP / Sam Craft)
Under contract (6): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Kingsley Keke, Anthony Rush, Willington Previlion, Delontae Scott
Free agents (4): Montravius Adams (unrestricted), Tyler Lancaster (restricted), Damon Harrison (unrestricted), Billy Winn (unrestricted)
Lowry remains on the roster, but remains a downward candidate as the Packers try to lower the salary cap before the start of the new league year. If he goes, the Packers will be up to the razor behind Kenny Clark along the defensive line. It looks like Joe Barry will stay with the 3-4 base, but it’s unclear what he wants the guys to do the first jobs. Clark needs help. Keke looks like a capable stream of situations, but after Clark no three-man defensive line player has been hired. This could be another position where the planned supply of veteran linebackers available creates one or two cheap options for Packers in free agency.
Large receiver
Green Bay Packers quarterback Allen Lazard (13) celebrates a first down with Davante Adams (17) and running back Jamaal Williams (30) against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL Division game on Saturday January 16, 2021 at Lambeau Camp in Green Bay, Wis.
Under contract (7): In front of Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Devin Funchess, Juwann Winfree, Reggie Begelton, Chris Blair
Free agents (3): Allen Lazard (exclusive rights), Tavon Austin (no restrictions), Malik Taylor (exclusive rights)
Lazard will be back, making sure the Packers have all of their best receivers from last year. The need here is lower than 2021 and much higher than 2022. Adams, Valdes-Scantling, Lazard and St. Brown will be free agents. A veteran’s signature could improve that position immediately and provide a better foundation by 2022, but the draft would provide economic options to develop over the next year. Taking one or two receivers in the draft might be the best way to rebuild that position in the long run.
Others
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Edge rusher: Preston Smith has long looked like a top-tier candidate, but Gutekunst expressed some commitment to him in 2021. If he returns, it’s hard to see how the Packers add an advantage to free agency. If not, it becomes one of the main needs of the team.
Inner Defender: The Packers have a lot of contracted backbacks, but that position still needs an upgrade, whether it comes internally or as an external addition. Would Kamal Martin and Krys Barnes really prevent the Packers from adding help here? The supply here should be strong in free agency.
Backward: Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are free agents. The Packers may need to add a veteran if both runners come out in free agency. It should not be difficult to find cheap and experienced help to go back.