The Green Bay Packers have begun their offseason, one that some believed would be a boring one. Well, that’s not been the case. The coaching staff has already been going through changes due to the hiring of Packers coaches to other teams and the retirement of Tom Clements, but we can expect it to be more than just the coaching staff that undergoes changes.
The player personnel is likely to change some, too. It is already likely that. Jaire Alexander is going to be on the cutting block. Some others could be on the block too. Green Bay also has a few needs to fill this offseason too.
Normally, in the past, one could expect the Packers to fill most of their needs through the draft. But the philosophy of player acquisition has slowly started to change under Brian Gutekunst. He has shown the willingness to sign unrestricted free agents as well. And of course, many fans and Packers content creators have taken note of that and the fact that Green Bay will have cap space to make some moves in free agency.
Packers and Their Free Agent Dreams!
So, because the Packers are “flush with cash,” (they actually don’t have as much cap space as many make it seem like), everyone seems to be dreaming of high-profile free agents coming to Green Bay. It seems like this happens every year. Fans set unreasonable expectations just to be let down. And it will happen again.
I’m just going to say, Tee Higgins will not be Packer. He simply will cost too much, limiting what the Packers would like to accomplish during free agency.
Here are some of the other players that I have seen mentioned in connection with Green Bay. These guys are at least slightly more likely than Tee Higgins:
- WR – Chris Godwin
- CB – DJ Reed
- EDGE – Khalil Mack
- CB – Charvarious Ward
- CB – Rasul Douglas
- WR – Davante Adams (who is currently still contractually a Jet)
This list just seems unrealistic. Could someone from it happen? Yeah. I would have for sure had Xavier McKinney on a similar list last year – and he still became a Packer – but these guys just seem unlikely. However, I do believe that the Packers will sign players during free agency so here are some sleeper options that could realistically become Packers this offseason.
Edge/Line Backer – Baron Browning
Baron Browning was drafted by the Denver Broncos as an inside linebacker but was later moved to edge. Browning has shown some ability as a pash rusher with upside, but that upside has been limited due to the plague of injuries he has experienced in his first four years in the NFL. Last season, he was traded to Cardinals from the Broncos for a sixth round pick. He is very likely to still hit free agency.
That could be considered an indictment of Browning, but the Packers have shown the propensity to take a flyer on players they may have liked coming out of the draft and something tells me that they more than likely liked Browning. Browning has a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.8 which was boosted by his incredible burst.
With Browning’s athletic ability and versatility, I can see Green Bay give him an opportunity to grow under Jeff Hafley.
Center – Drew Dalman
This could be a pretty good option for Green Bay if they decide to let Josh Myers walk this offseason. I still feel like they will more likely bring Josh Myers back on an affordable deal but if they can’t, I would expect them to upgrade the interior of their line.
Drew Dalman is that upgrade. I believe the Packers would like to keep Elgton Jenkins at left guard and Sean Rhyan at right guard. Bringing in some help at the center position would allow for this to happen. This would also give last year’s first round pick Jordan Morgan to compete with Rasheed Walker for the starting job of left tackle.
Also Dalman is just better than Myers. According to PFF, Dalman was the fourth ranked center last season in the NFL. Myers was 49th. There are only 32 starting centers in the NFL…
Corner Back – Paulson Adebo
I know, I know. Adebo has been pretty good for the Saints. However, an October significant injury (broken femur) could lower his demand in free agency. Adebo is someone that the Packers could target for many reasons. He is a top-notch corner who meets the standards that the Packers have for their corners. Adebo is 6’1″ and 192 lbs. His RAS was a 9.74 coming out for the draft.
He is a Packers kinda guy through and through and I wouldn’t be surprised if Gutey spends a little on a player of his caliber.
One Last Thing On Packers Free Agency
I wouldn’t expect a wide receiver. I still think the Packers love their wide receiver room and want them to have every chance to develop. So, I wouldn’t expect a middle-of-the-road wide receiver to be added. If they were to add someone, that player would have to be a true number one like a Davante Adams or a Tee Higgins. And, since I don’t expect either one of them to be a Packer, then I can’t expect any wide receiver to be signed during free agency.
I can, however, expect a top 100 wide receiver in the NFL draft.
Oh, and speaking of the draft, expect more draft content real soon.
Go Pack Go!