Free Agent Market Sets Up Perfectly for Packers

When it comes to this year's free agent market, it couldn't be better for the Packers. 

Over the years we have been told many times that the Green Bay Packers were going to make a big splash in free agency, but this time, it seems legit.

The Packers have a still relatively new general manager, who has a new head coach working under him and a roster that is badly in need of some playmakers, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

To be sure, Green Bay has some solid pieces on defense. Kenny Clark is a beast and so is Blake Martinez. Jaire Alexander looks like a superstar and if he could ever stay healthy, Kevin King looks to have the makings of a starting corner too. 

That doesn't even mention guys like Kyler Fackrell, who is coming off a career year. Mike Daniels is also still around. 

Outside of that, the Packers have some needs to fill. They desperately need some more juice off the edge when it comes to getting after the quarterback and when it comes to that, they appear to be in luck.

That's because outside linebacker or edge rusher, whatever you want to call it, is loaded with talented free agents. There were reports today that Green Bay could be interested in Preston Smith of the Redkins or Za'Darius Smith of the Ravens.

Trey Flowers from New England is another name to watch there and truth be told, there are a bunch of others. Rob Demovsky tweeted that the Packers wanted to spend money on pass rushers and then see what's left on the market and that's a sound strategy.

However, it's absolutely essential that the Packers get a safety in the free agent market. 

Yes, the Packers need an edge rusher but they also don't really have a legitimate starting safety and that's something they desperately need and once again, they are lucky to find a fairly deep market.

Earl Thomas is one of the big names and even though he may be too expensive, other quality guys like Tyrann Mathieu, Adrian Amos, Landon Collins and now Eric Weddle are available as well as some other lower-cost options. 

The slot receiver is another position where the Packers could add someone if they wanted to replace Randall Cobb. He will probably get a little too much money but other guys like Cole Beasley, Adam Humphries or Jamison Crowder could be viable replacements.

All in all, it sets up pretty well for the Packers to be able to address some needs without having to go all in or one or two guys. 

Certainly, Preston Smith will be a top priority so if the Packers want him, they are going to have to be ready to pay a lot of money. Same with a guy like Thomas, who might be seen as too risky coming off a season-ending injury.

Regardless of who the Packers decide to sign, it's good to know that at those positions where Green Bay has the greatest need, there is plenty of help available. Now, it's simply a matter of getting a deal done. 

 

 

__________________________

Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

4 points
 

Comments (35)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 06, 2019 at 01:57 pm

Joel Corry wouldn't be surprised if Trey Flowers gets $17M AAV. He is a good player, but I am not sure where he fits on GB, and it sounds like GB would be paying a good player like he is great.

Pass. Maybe someone can convince me otherwise.

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4thand1's picture

March 06, 2019 at 03:10 pm

8 sacks isn't worth that that kind of money.

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Guam's picture

March 06, 2019 at 10:09 pm

I'd extend that comment TGR - I am having sticker shock about the edge free agents in general. Essentially we are supposed to pay more than we are presently paying for Perry for about the same production. And I wanted to cut Perry...…

I know we need edge help, but the FA value would seem to be more with the safeties and guards than with the edge guys. I think I would rather draft the edge players and sign a good FA safety and right guard. I think might get better value for the dollars spent and we do have a limited pool of free agent dollars compared to some teams we will be bidding against.

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porupack's picture

March 06, 2019 at 06:19 pm

You are absolutely right Guam. Priority on a top tier FA Guard and Safety.

Could use a mid tier FA OLB only if Perry is cut.

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ShooterMcGee's picture

March 06, 2019 at 06:25 pm

Guam I totally agree with you. Decent safeties and guards won't break the bank like an edge rusher. I am all for bringing in Weddle on a 1-2 year deal. He may be 34 but he is better than anyone we have now. Signing Zadarius Smith or another mid-tier edge rusher for a reasonable price 8-10 million would be ok, otherwise edge should be a position at which we double dip during the draft. #12 seems prime for Burns or Sweat. 3rd round maybe Winovich or Ferguson. Later rounds could find guys like Miller from Penn State, Nelson from Iowa, or Granderson from Wyoming.

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GBPDAN1's picture

March 07, 2019 at 02:23 am

Completely agree, Guam. 16-17M for 2nd tier OLBs dosen't sound economical regarding our cap. With the quality of the OLBs in the draft, we could get value on rookie deals. I'd rather sign a good safety , a good RG and a quality back up OL in FA.

Then spend our top 3 picks on 2 OLBs and a TE. Pick up a WR and another safety and ILB with our 3rd and 2- 4th rd picks. RB in the 5th. Fill depth with the rest of the picks.

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CAG123's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:00 pm

No thanks to Preston Smith the guy was a starter the last 3 years and his numbers are too up and down to consider paying him 16 million a year he goes from 4.5 to 8 then back down to 4? This is with Ryan Kerrigan putting double digit sacks in 4 of the past 5 years. If he can't get it down consistently with a stud like Kerrigan on the other end he damn sure can't get it done as the possible "Guy" in GB. I'd rather them go after Za'Darius smith for less and CJ Mosley.

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ShooterMcGee's picture

March 06, 2019 at 06:27 pm

Lets be the Ravens of the NFC by signing Smith, Mosley, and Weddle. Their defense is always solid!

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Jonathan Spader's picture

March 06, 2019 at 08:41 pm

Preston Smith was constantly called into coverage which really hurt his sack #s. There's more to LBs than just sack #s. Take a look at tape on Smith he's a versatile player. For the right price he'd be a great addition.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 07, 2019 at 04:50 am

This is why the comments section can be valuable. Lots of people here from around the country (and world) who catch local games of other teams, or just know their stuff.

JS, I knew Preston Smith was a fairly complete OLB. I didn't know that KC dropped him into coverage quite a bit. Useful info. I had noticed the up and down nature of this stats, and looked more favorably upon ZaDarius Smith whose stats show a nice upward trend over his seasons. Now both are in play in my mind.

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BamaPackFan's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:14 pm

I said b4 the combine, Sweat is the Edge we need. Now, he may not be there. I hope we can go Edge at 12 with Sweat or Burns, and OL Risner or Ford at 30. TE, Fant or Hock are also great picks at 30. Then OL at 44. Also, add a mid or better FA at Edge.
I prefer to go FA at Safety because it is a position played best with a good mind. Experience matters here as much as anywhere. (QB of the Defense if you will). 1. Earl Thomas if healed. 2. Collins or Weddell if Wed can still run. Draft a Safety with the requisite size/speed 4th or later and let him learn.
I also picked Andy Isabella b4 the combine as a slot I would love to see the Packers get. 102 rec, 1698 yds last year. Great combine.

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Dragon5's picture

March 06, 2019 at 03:45 pm

sign Adrian Amos away from the Bears & draft Amani Hooker in the 3rd (before the Bears do)

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BamaPackFan's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:20 pm

If Jeffery Simmons falls to 30 because of his ACL, I would like him there also. It would be difficult to wait, but the result could be walking away from this draft with 2 of the top 10 players.

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Minniman's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:53 pm

If the draft falls unfavorably for the Packers and they are forced to draft strict BPA from the #30 pick onwards then this would be a smart pick.

Take Clark and Daniels away from the alpha d-line positions and they start to get shaky. He and Clark could anchor the d-line with studs for the next 5-7 years.

Given the date of his injury, Feb 12, if it was a pure ACL tear and no other ligaments, cartilage or nerve then a 6-9 month recovery time is the standard - meaning he technically could be a designated to return IR candidate and see action mid/late season? Sure it's a shade risky but if he were drafted and events prevailed then he could see the field.

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Turophile's picture

March 06, 2019 at 03:36 pm

@BamaPackFan. I'd like Simmons as well. Originally he was one of my favourite picks at #12 (basically him, Oliver, Sweat, Ferrell, Gary and after the combine, Burns). I'd still rather go OT at #30 (the quality at OT will be thinning fast, even this early) and hope for Simmons at #44. Is that too hopeful ? Maybe it is, but many GMs are notoriously risk-averse, so he might still be there.

This pushes safety and TE down a bit, but you cannot high-pick everything. Ultimately, you must decide your priorities relative to who is available at each pick, so OT may not even be the best pick (at #30), if the best guys are gone.

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BamaPackFan's picture

March 07, 2019 at 09:33 am

I said earlier that I really want to address the Free Safety positon with a FA. Specifically, Earl Thomas, Collins, or Weddell if the last can still run. The safety position requires smarts and experience. It is the last line and a crucial piece to get right. One of those vets could help teach a younger athlete how to play safety (reads etc.).

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PeteK's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:38 pm

I'm not giving any of the Smiths much over ten mill. I'd try for Thomas and would be happy with Mathieu because I agree with Bama , I want a free safety with experience. However, I'm reminded why Thompson shunned free agency.

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Minniman's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:59 pm

I have less of problem with the total number as I am with the guaranteed amount. With the amount of cap space many teams have this year, don't be surprised if every FA player contracted in the first 2 weeks get above average money.

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 06, 2019 at 07:40 pm

Yes!

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PatrickGB's picture

March 06, 2019 at 04:18 pm

The Ravens are reported to be aggressively pursuing Mathieu. So that’s a complication. Perhaps weddell on a one year deal or maybe one of the smiths or others in the large crop of safety’s.

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Minniman's picture

March 06, 2019 at 08:18 pm

According to Over The Cap the Ravens have $25M cap space to the Packers $34M.

In looking at the team needs (according to The Draft Network) the Ravens have very similar needs to the Packers.

Meshing these 2 points together, I'm not sure that they can be as aggressive as they might otherwise like to be in pursuing Mathieu, and the Packers still could outbid them comfortably if it came to that - I hope not.

They're a savvy defensive team who aren't afraid to keep producing vets around. If they are cutting Weddle then there's more to it than cap savings I'll bet.

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mrtundra's picture

March 06, 2019 at 02:58 pm

I did a mock this AM and was amazed to see Quinnen Williams, IDL fall to #12 and we were still able to grab Noah Fant, TE at #30. I guess why they call it a mock draft.

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4thand1's picture

March 06, 2019 at 03:12 pm

We need players, Mosley or Collins.

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Swisch's picture

March 06, 2019 at 03:27 pm

Well and good, but please, let's really beef up the offensive line in one way or another!!!
That's priority #1.

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CoachJV's picture

March 06, 2019 at 10:29 pm

True... but we need to beef it up with the right type of linemen. The big maulers will not work well for this offense in the zone run game that we'll use. We need more athletic types of linemen who are still big enough to punch it out in pass defense. So we must choose our next OL carefully.

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ShooterMcGee's picture

March 06, 2019 at 06:35 pm

Darian Stewart safety from Denver just became available. He is an example of a reasonably priced free agent that could immediately upgrade our defense. We don't need to spend big at safety and guard to improve our team. I imagine their will be more veteran options available very soon.

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Community Guy's picture

March 06, 2019 at 09:00 pm

the Earl Thomas case is particularly interesting because he has publicly projected himself toward an organization that cannot afford the contract he wants. he is regarded as the best player at his position. And, he would seemingly be a great fit for the Packers current need. if his price comes down, Thomas could be an anchor to a secondary that desparately needs that anchor.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

March 06, 2019 at 09:15 pm

Draft Hockenson at #12 and cut Graham and you can use some of that to get your edge rusher.

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

March 06, 2019 at 09:39 pm

Hock isnt close to being worth #12. Never going to happen. Late 20's or at 30.

Just my opinion Doug!

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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

March 06, 2019 at 09:50 pm

Duplicate...sorry!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 07, 2019 at 04:47 am

I sympathize with and share Guam's sticker shock. I am willing to make an exception for a pass-rushing OLB, however. There just aren't very many of them, and they don't hit free agency very often. For the most part they only come in the first round if one goes through the draft.

I am going to rely on Gute to pick one who can produce. I am going to hold my nose on the cost. [Unless it is a new dose of sticker shock via the contract structure!]

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Guam's picture

March 07, 2019 at 08:09 am

The interesting corollary is that Perry is starting to look much more attractive. Statistically he appears to be at least as good as many of the prospective OLB acquisitions and a bit less expensive. As "Old School" has repeatedly pointed out, Perry's availability is slightly above average for the position despite his many injuries. I am certainly starting to rethink my desire to cut Perry.

That said, we still need OLB help, whether through FA or the draft. If the Packers do keep Perry, I would prefer the draft and use free agency for better value players.

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OnWisconsinGoPack's picture

March 07, 2019 at 07:59 pm

Maybe there's value in trading Perry to KC for Dee Ford as they are transitioning to a 4-3 which suits Perry more so than Ford

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rstain99's picture

March 07, 2019 at 05:46 am

I saw Jamie Collins is a FA nice player I do believe Pettine has some time with him in Cleveland 29 yrs old also Trey Flowers is good worth 17 mil not that good unless he comes along with Bill Belicheck, he is a product of the system in NE. hope they grab one of those Iowa TE's need some youth

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LambeauPlain's picture

March 07, 2019 at 08:51 am

Collins has played some FS, but he is mostly a SS.

But he is a great football player and would be a leader on the D. Pettine would be very creative with Collins. He’d be like Woodson 2.0.

There are some nice FS prospects in the draft too...fast, productive guys like Rapp, Thornhill, Adderley, and Gardener-Johnson all were incredibly productive in college.

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