Packers Shouldn't Spend Big Money at WR in Free Agency
While addressing the wide receiver position is near the top of the to-do list this offseason for the Green Bay Packers, spending top dollar in free agency isn't the way to go about it.
By Paul_Bretl
It's no secret, the Green Bay Packers must upgrade their wide receiver position this offseason. Ask any fan or take a look at just about any mock draft that has been released at this point and everyone will agree that this offense needs more playmakers.
Even though they had an incredibly successful season as they finished 13-3 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game, the offensive side of the ball struggled to find any sort of consistency. They'd string together a few drives and maybe even a few quarters here and there, but by and large, we never really knew what we were going to see from them week to week. And of course when I say "offense," I'm mostly referring to the passing game.
Last offseason among the myriad of moves that GM Brian Gutekunst made, addressing the receiver position was not one of them, and instead, he chose to rely on his young core to compliment Davante Adams.
Geronimo Allison had shown some promise early on in 2018 before being injured but heading into 2019 he was fully healthy. There was hope that Marquez Valdes-Scantling, J'Mon Moore, and Equanimeous St. Brown would make that Year 2 leap. Meanwhile, Jake Kumerow had the trust of Aaron Rodgers and had flashed some big play ability the season before.
However as we all know, things in 2019 didn't turn out well for that group. Allison fought the drops and truthfully he just isn't dynamic enough with the ball in his hands. Valdes-Scantling's snap count dramatically decreased as the season unfolded, Moore was cut over the summer, St. Brown was placed on IR before the season even began, and Kumerow struggled to see the field. The lone positive - outside of Adams - was that we saw the emergence of Allen Lazard over the course of the season.
Now with the 2020 offseason here, near the top or at the top of Gutekunst's offseason to-do list is addressing the wide receiver position. And while we would all love for the Packers to go out and sign one of the top available free agents, I'm not sure how likely that is.
For one, unfortunately the Packers just don't have the same spending power that they did a year ago. According to Spotrac, Green Bay has just under $22 million in available cap space at the moment. But there is a caveat, which is that they can free up an additional $12 million by moving on from Jimmy Graham and Lane Taylor. Two likely moves that will be made at some point in the near future. However even with those moves, Green Bay still ranks 21st in available cap space and that is if no other teams make cost saving moves like that one.
Not to mention that they still have to sign their upcoming draft class, have money available for the practice squad players, as well as for the 52nd and 53rd players on the roster, and set aside funds for in-season spending. Even with cutting Graham and trading Taylor, the Packers are likely back to the $20 to $25 million range in terms of cap space.
We also have to take into account that if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) isn't signed before free agency begins, a player's contract can't increase by more than 30 percent from year to year. This is in place to prevent teams from back-loading contracts that cover multiple CBA contracts. So for Green Bay - or any team for that matter - given the current landscape they can't drastically lessen the cap hit in Year 1 and then take a much larger hit in future years when they have more space available.
On top of that, there are also other needs that the Packers have to address outside of the receiver position. Currently, Mason Crosby and Bryan Bulaga are free agents, so there are huge holes on the roster at kicker and right tackle. Blake Martinez has likely played his last game in Green Bay, making inside linebacker a big priority. And finding help for Kenny Clark on the interior defensive line, along with added depth at tight end and cornerback should be closely looked at as well.
Obviously not all of these needs have to be taken care of through free agency, there is also the draft, which brings me to my next point that this year's class is absolutely stacked at wide receiver. There are some receivers who could be drafted in the second-round that very well could have been considered first-rounders in other years. Meaning the Packers could still land some serious talent at pick No. 30 and even at pick No. 62. Heck, even in round-three they could land a real contributor.
Where as on the flip side, with a position like inside linebacker, Green Bay could pass on that position in free agency and hope on draft night that Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen are avilable at 30th overall. However, if that backfires and they are not, the Packers could be in a world of hurt at inside linebacker in 2020.
A similar case could be made at the tackle position as well. If Green Bay chooses not to re-sign Bulaga or add another veteran in free agency, they had better be certain that they can land a difference-maker in the draft because with a premier position like tackle, it's not a position you want to be gambling on.
So I've said all of that to say this, yes, the Green Bay Packers need to add a dynamic playmaker or even two, to this offense in 2020. But taking into consideration their needs elsewhere, along with the depth at wide receiver in this year's draft, signing Amari Cooper to his projected $19.7 million per year deal or Robby Anderson to his projected $12 million per year contract and eating up a significant portion of the Packers' already limited cap space just doesn't make much sense to me.
With that said, that doesn't mean they won't explore the receiver position in free agency. The Packers just might end up signing an ascending player like Breshad Perriman or Tajae Sharpe who has experience playing under Matt LaFleur. Neither player is going to break the bank and having that veteran experience along side of a dynamic rookie that is taken in the first or second-round would still give Green Bay's passing game a huge boost.
Who knows, maybe Brian Gutekunst surprises us once again, but I feel strongly that a large portion of their free agent spending shouldn't be allocated towards a top-flight receiver.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
Comments (64)
NickPerry
February 13, 2020 at 07:10 am
The Packers have a man in the front office that KNOWS Perriman very well with Milt Hendrickson but Perriman still makes me nervous. He stepped up in Tampa but it wasn't until Mike Evens and Chris Godwin were injured. His 2019 season was basically the last 5 games of the season...Scary
Sharpe would know the offense but he is pretty much a JAG.
Randall Cobb...Demovsky wrote a small piece on ESPN that suggests this. Cobb actually had a pretty nice season in Dallas and only missed one game. 55 Catches for 828 yards and 3 TD's. What caught my eye though was what you would expect from Cobb...His production from the slot. 716 of his 828 yards came from the slot, exactly where the Packers WR struggled last year...In the slot. Call me crazy but if the Packers could sign Cobb to say a 2 year $5 million a year contract it may not be a bad idea. Hell he could even flourish in MLF system. One thing would be certain...He KNOWS where to go once Rodgers starts holding the ball.
Man I can't wait for the Draft!!!
PeteK
February 13, 2020 at 07:44 am
Cobb's age, injury history, and 9 drops this season worries me. However, if nothing else pans out a 2 yr 10 mill with only 5 mill guarantee would be fair.
RCPackerFan
February 13, 2020 at 08:11 am
Here is the one thing I question with a guy like Sharpe. Much like Jared Cook when he came to GB, Sharpe hasn't had a great QB to work with. Does coming to GB, having Adams next to him and having Rodgers throwing to him, make a big difference? I think it can.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 08:51 am
Can he block? As we got to the end of the season, that was dictating which WR were getting play time behind Adams.
RCPackerFan
February 13, 2020 at 09:47 am
That is a good question, that someone else would have to answer. I haven't watched enough of him to know that.
I just look at the situation he was in. He hasn't played with a great QB. He has good size and would know LaFleurs offense or have a good grasp of it anyways.
Playing with a QB like Rodgers can elevate players.
He might be a good bargain piece to sign. i'm not saying they should absolutely go out and sign him, but he could be a good find.
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 09:16 am
Well to be fair there’s no shame in being buried by two guys that were having the season Evans and Goodwin were having. I mean we’re talking 500 something yards in the last 6 games would have been nice to see a Packers WR step up like that.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 13, 2020 at 07:35 pm
Are you referencing Lazard? Lazard had 477 yards in his last eleven games. Perriman had 506 yards in his last 5 games. He did put up just 139 yards in 351 snaps during the first 11 games by catching just 11 of 32 targets (34.34% catch rate).
Very much a Jeckyll and Hyde season. I didn't watch TB games. It may be that he was not the first or second option often early, or that his QB didn't look at him very often. Perriman got about half the snaps that Evans got in the first 11 games, and a little less than half of the snaps that Goodwin got.
What is interesting is that Goodwin played 14 games and Evans played 13 games. Perriman's surge started in game 12 so there was a time when all three players overlapped. Perryman has just one broken tackle in two seasons (52 touches), and his YAC is meh. He has no drops over the last two seasons (sounds like he fixed a definite problem he had in college), and is fast (4.24 pro day forty). Coming out his scouting report chided him as a raw route runner who didn't come back for the ball and got redirected more than a 6'2", 215 lbs guy should.
I suspect his price will be fairly high. If I had to guess I would put him in the $9M to $10M AAV range, but who knows.
flackcatcher
February 13, 2020 at 08:13 pm
I saw way too many TB games this season. (Part of curse when your job plunks you down there. I saw way too many examples of 'Florida Man.' ) Tampa's offensive scheme was disjointed, so it hard to say given what all three WR had to put up with. But Perriman will be paid on his numbers alone. Probably overpaid at that. My subjective view is he is a lazy player who only runs his route tree if he is the primary receiver. But with the overall mess that is Tampa Bay, he might deserve the benefit of the doubt. No question, he was the no. 3 on effort alone.
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 09:28 pm
I wasn’t referencing anyone.
Swisch
February 13, 2020 at 04:20 pm
I've been a huge fan of Cobb over the years, but nowadays he doesn't seem quick and shifty enough to excel at the slot.
I'd rather go for a free agent tight end like Austin Hooper as a pass catcher who is ready to effectively work the middle of the field next season.
If the Rams are trying to gain cap space, maybe we can trade for Cooper Kupp.
Otherwise, as noted in the article, tap into an abundant draft at wide receiver.
flackcatcher
February 13, 2020 at 07:15 pm
Nick, general mangers do not like to resign players that they let go. Even if it would help the team short to medium term. Loss of face, pride thing. Classic example is the Mark Tauscher resigning by Ted Thompson in 2008. Old Ted did everything in his power not to sign him. Took Mike McCarthy to openly call for Tauscher's resigning to make it happen. Signing Cobb would solve a lot of problems in the pass game short term, but for that to happen, Gute would have to sallow his pride and a good chunk of cap to do so. Would be nice, but I don't see it happening.
NickPerry
February 14, 2020 at 04:12 am
Your right about all that. Before I read the article it wasn't something I even ever considered. Personally I'd rather have that money go towards a guy like Austin Hooper and see the Packers run more 2 TE sets with Sternberger and Hooper (just an example) or a DL like Michael Pierce. I also would pay Cobb much. $5 million is nothing in todays NFL but the Packers could use that money in better ways. No doubt about it.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 07:43 am
I just don't think the FA market at WR is very good or deep. There's no mention of Emmanuel Sanders here. He's on the wrong side of 30, but can still run well despite his injuries and plays both outside and in the slot. He's going to get decent money, but I would guess not a lot of years or much guaranteed.
We point to the draft where WR is deep, but the Packers can't push all their needs into the draft. They're going to have to upgrade several positions in FA to take some pressure off the draft and allow themselves the latitude to take advantage of opportunities. That means likely not signing big FAs (maybe 1?) but a few middle-tier guys who make positions and roster depth better without breaking the bank.
Bearmeat
February 13, 2020 at 12:14 pm
That's exactly right. We also need to remember that rookie WRs, no matter how good, are rarely difference makers. Then we put out old QB out there who has historically been very high on his WR's "earning his trust." All that says to me that we DO need a veteran WR. That guy doesn't need to be OBJ (although at the right trade cost, that would be fantastic), but it does need to push Lazard down to WR3. AND we need a day 1/2 WR in the draft as well.
Our WRs outside of Davante are that bad. Just like a good pass rush can mask mediocre pass defense, good weapons outside can mask mediocre OL play. Give me a dynamic veteran WR over Bulaga at 30.
stockholder
February 13, 2020 at 07:52 am
$$$ I could free up another 30 mil. And I still wouldn't go after a Wr. I could draft 5 Wrs after the 4th round this year. That could do just as much as a veteran. Without the high maintenance! Without the head case. Without the broken promises. We've seen enough of those at TE. The DL is a must fix. The ILB is a must Fix. Spending money on Wrs only adds to Rodgers stats. Pass, Pass, Pass. Thats not winning football. You don't pay a OBJ to Block. You don't pay a Hooker, not to catch. You get a Rookie for separation, speed, and Catch Radius. WITHOUT BREAKING THE CAP. We have a new coach that was to run a offense HIS way. Arron Rodgers is a dinosaur now. He needs a offensive Line that can protect him. More than any WR that wants the ball thrown to him regardless. TT would never have gone after a high priced Wr. Hopefully Gute won't either. Especially until he fixes the defense.
PeteK
February 13, 2020 at 08:00 am
Rogers does a pretty good job of throwing the ball with those short dinosaur arms. LOL
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 09:25 am
TT wouldn’t have gone after anybody. You draft 5 WRs in a single class and you’re probably out of a job if there’s issues still at the position. Why is everyone so worried above the damn cap? When have the Packers ever been in a bad cap situation? Y’all act like Gute is making these decisions without the input of the coach who’s running the offense if MLF feels like they need a more capable WR that’s probably what Gute is going to get him.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 13, 2020 at 06:53 pm
I find your post elusive, as though it doesn't actually say anything.
1.) "TT wouldn't have gone after anybody." That's why GB historically hasn't had bad cap situations. It is time to go for it more.
2.) "Why is everyone so worried about the damn cap?" Because fans want to spend on some free agents. [See response to point one.]
3.) "When have the Packers ever been in a bad cap situation?" See the responses to point one and two. GB has let good players walk despite their not generating big free agent deals. See Hayward at $5M AAV and Tretter at about the same money.
4.) "if MLF feels like they need a more capable WR that's probably what Gute is going to get him." What does that mean? If MLF doesn't think the team needs a more capable WR, that would be somewhere between surprising and shocking. ESB will ride to the rescue? Maybe. Will this more capable WR be a veteran who might be able to contribute right away (or maybe not so much), or will that player come from the draft? Or both.
Perhaps I am being obtuse, but I don't know what your advocating for or against. To be honest, it sounds most like we fans should leave these decisions to the professionals and shut up. Well, in practice the decision will be made by the professionals.
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 09:44 pm
You’re definitely being obtuse and trying way too hard to dissect a simple comment relax. 2&3 aren’t even separate points I don’t know why you’re trying to make them as such. What about 4 is difficult to understand? Once again trying too hard the same way Pettine gave Gute a list of the FA he needed MLF is likely to do something similar it’s that simple. I don’t even know why you’re trying to break down 1 TT isn’t here anymore I was replying to Stock saying what TT wouldn’t have done. This is a place for opinions if you want to shut up and leave it to the professionals you’re more than welcome to do that the rest of us will continue to play fake GM.
*You’re btw Mr.Buzz Kill
Thegreatreynoldo
February 14, 2020 at 10:10 pm
Ah, I am very literal. So, a bit of a "whoosh" here for me. I am obtuse and have a whoosh about once per week. I have real problems discerning sarcasm. Sadly, I do need the font!
PeteK
February 13, 2020 at 07:54 am
Very difficult to speculate until Bulaga and Martinez decisions are made. However, it's still fun playing GM. I would let both loose and sign Hooper, Littleton, one of the good free agent DTs, and Veldheer then draft RT, ILB, and rec.
Guam
February 13, 2020 at 08:10 am
Packers don't have the money to sign Hooper and Littleton. Crosby will take $5 million leaving the Packers with (at most) $20 million. Either Hooper or Littleton will take more than half that amount. They might get one of the two plus Veldheer and a mid-range DL (Pierce?). I would prefer Littleton as a bigger need.
Also, don't try to back load the contracts to get both. The Packers are already facing a tough 2021 cap year due to a big jump in Rodgers cap hit (his 2020 cap hit is much more manageable). Back loading two more big contracts will put the Packers in cap hell in 2021 (i.e. no resigning Bahk or Clark or King or.....etc. etc.)
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 08:39 am
I'm just not a believer in Hooper. If you want a guy who's an average blocker and catches a lot of short passes without very much RAC, he's your guy. I just don't want to bid for what it would take to sign him..
I also don't think Littleton does the Packers much good unless they commit to fixing the DL in front of him.
Guam
February 13, 2020 at 08:56 am
I share your thinking that the DL needs to get fixed but that may only take one player and there are a number of good mid-priced DL FA available this year. I think the Packers can get the DL fixed at a reasonable price. However we still have a hole at ILB. I don't particularly care if the fix is Littleton, Schobert or a draftee, but we need some talent there too.
Leatherhead
February 13, 2020 at 10:15 am
I want a TE who can get his man blocked in the run game. Period. If he can catch a couple of passes a game, that's plenty. Resign Lewis, IMO, to a modest deal and then get one of these FA TEs to complete the unit.
xxxxxxx
We all want a better defense, especially against the run. We did pretty well against the pass by a lot of measures, but we weren't able to stop the run in the game that ended our season.
It occurs to me that if half of the defensive players on the field at any given time are DBs, then they have to be run defenders, too. I'm looking over some of our games and I have to tell you, I think it'd be easier to improve the back end of the defense than it will be to the front end.
Any DL we'd get is going to be in a rotation with Clark, Lancaster, and Lowry. He'd probably replace Adams on the roster. But a corner that could cover AND tackle? He'd be on the field a lot, probably replacing Tramon as our nickle guy.
I've been a Tramon fan since 2007. If you spell his name backwards, is spells "No Mart", which means you can't get anything because it's not open. But he's build for speed, not for combat, and he's never been a real good run support guy.
IMO...……
IF Savage makes a jump this year, and we replace Tramon on the field with a more aggressive run defender, that will help us against the run.
I also think we need more beef on the field against some running attacks....some kind of a guy that can play alongside or ahead of Lancaster. And we should probably play two ILBs and 5 DBs instead of just Martinez and 6 DBs when we're getting run over.
flackcatcher
February 13, 2020 at 07:37 pm
If you look at how Gute has drafted and signed, he has been very clear in his methods in rebuilding this team over the past two years. He targeted DB then WR in 2018. DL/Hybrid last year along with OL as long term developmental players. I would not be surprised to see a combo of WR DB/Hybrid and ILB with a OL early if, if, he fits the Packer system and needs.
fthisJack
February 13, 2020 at 08:17 am
Why sign a high priced FA WR when the draft is loaded with WR talent....get that in the draft. i would definitely look at strengthening the DL and ILB in FA and then load up on the offensive side of the football in the draft.
Monsmoy
February 13, 2020 at 09:16 am
Agree. Pettine plays 1 x ILB, so he needs to be a damn good one. Continue developing the 3 x rookies we have and go to FA for an experienced ILB to control the mid field. Also look at a NT at FA as there seem to be some value there. Draft RT , TE and WRs
Packer_Fan
February 13, 2020 at 08:28 am
Here are my thoughts. Most articles are too myopic in my opinion. The Packers need to clear cap space and drop some players. And they need to bring in more speed at ILB, a better DL and a veteran WR to make them more competitive. And then draft ILB, WR and OL tackle in the first three rounds. Here are my specifics.
Cap space: Release Graham and Linsley. Another $16 mil to work with.
Offense: For Oline, release Linsley to get more cap space. Linsley will do OK and get paid well somewhere else. Then Patrick plays center, Jenkins and Taylor guards and Turner right OT. Then resign Veldheer for another year. You need veteran backups. Especially if Turner doesn't play well at OT. Then draft a OT in the 3rd round.
WR: Sign a mid level WR like Sharpe or Perriman. And sign Lazard. He was the only WR to play well behind Adams. We still have MVS and St. Brown hopefully to develop. Then draft WR in the second round. And sign Lewis as tight end. Low price. No more high dollar TE free agents at least this year.
Defense: Sign a mid level Dlinemen. Lowery and Lancaster are good backup players. Hopefully Keke will take a 2nd year jump. Then sign a ILB like the guy from Chicago. And I think bring back Tramon Williams for another year. I also have no problem bringing Fackrell back at the right price. Also draft a DB in rounds 4-7. We are still thin with good backups.
Crosby: Sign him if you can get him for a reasonable price.
Draft: 1st - ILB, 2nd - WR, 3rd - OT. Both WR and OT have depth in the draft. Rounds 4-7 will be for depth. And most importantly, BG needs to hit well on the first three picks. No development players like Gary.
Guam
February 13, 2020 at 09:02 am
Letting Bulaga and Linsley go and replacing them with Patrick and Taylor as well as shifting Turner to RT where he did not shine with Denver is a big roll of the dice. You may fix other holes and create a large one at O-line.
Not sure that is where I would gamble given an aging, less mobile and more brittle QB1.
jannesbjornson
February 13, 2020 at 09:08 pm
He's rolling something up.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 09:09 am
Most people seem to see Linsley and his contract as a source of cap space, not for the roster hole it creates if you cut him loose. I wouldn't release Linsley unless I know I've got my OL locked up and he doesn't need to be a part of it...so not until after the draft (or even OTAs). We don't know if Veldheer wants to play in 2020: he's already retired once and has a track record of injury. He's an ideal vet backup swing tackle. We all seem to agree that the evidence points to Turner not being an OT. I think it's also pretty clear that Lane Taylor is too slow-footed and doesn't fit the blocking schemes that LaF wants to use.
I don't know why we're romanticizing Lucas Patrick. Patrick has been around for 4 years...he hasn't outplayed anyone and found his way into the lineup except when shorthanded, even when RG was a train wreck in 2018. He's never been a starting C. All his meaningful snaps in college came at LG and a few at T. He's played some C for the Packers when shorthanded. I think projecting him as a starter at C is more than just risky.
JerseyAl
February 13, 2020 at 04:11 pm
Messing with the OL that much would be downright dangerous.
Swisch
February 13, 2020 at 04:45 pm
Reluctantly let go of Bulaga; but definitely keep Linsley for some continuity.
Linsley can be a solid performer, or better, for a few more years.
ricky
February 13, 2020 at 08:43 am
Your dismissal of the running game, by writing that when you're talking about the offense, you mean the passing game, is curious. Aaron Jones emerged as an excellent option for the offense, and Jamaal Williams is the most underrated player on the team, IMO. A duo of dynamic RB's who complement each other very well. This is not to suggest that the passing game needs an upgrade at WR, but why not also mention that Rodgers is a player in decline. He can play at an MVP level for some games, but for the most part, he is inconsistent and prone to the maddening habit of holding onto the ball too long, always looking for that big chunk play rather than simply moving the chains and sustaining drives.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 08:55 am
I think we'll find out what the Packers think of Dexter Williams and Tyler Ervin in this upcoming FA/Draft period. They need another RB behind Jones and J. Williams. RB take a beating. The fact that they made it through 2019 without losing either for an extended period was remarkable.
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 09:46 am
They need another RB for when they let Williams walk I personally don’t think he’s that good of a number two more of a 3rd RB for short yardage situations. They had this stat that shows how the offense plummets when Williams is the main back the Packers don’t need to be seeing that type of drop off with their two headed attack.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 09:54 am
It always seemed to me that Williams was touted for his blocking and pass catching...so steady, but not as dynamic as Jones. Now that it seems they're trusting Jones with more 3rd down responsibilities, I can see wanting someone a little more dynamic as the #2.
CAG123
February 13, 2020 at 05:15 pm
You're absolutely correct this is the perfect example of the phrase "you can't teach speed" as Jones has become a more capable blocker and better out of the outfield it makes the slower Williams expendable plus he's been hurt.
jannesbjornson
February 14, 2020 at 02:49 pm
A power back/FB like Dillon from BC would not hurt. Nobody wanted to tackle William Henderson on an iso route. Move the chains.
Lphill
February 13, 2020 at 09:12 am
Everyone is forgetting Reggie Begelton from Canada he has game day experience and was considered one of the best in Canada.
dobber
February 13, 2020 at 09:50 am
When I was in high school I had a girlfriend from Canada. She was pretty hot. You don't know her, though...
packerbackerjim
February 13, 2020 at 10:17 am
Was she Inuit?
Packerpasty
February 13, 2020 at 03:28 pm
how do you know we don't know her..
wildbill
February 13, 2020 at 08:56 pm
“One of the best in Canada” is that like being the best looking girl at fat camp?
lecko
February 13, 2020 at 09:15 am
If QB1 really really wants another SB, why doenst he takes a small or big voluntary paycut and so free cap for new players ?
egbertsouse
February 13, 2020 at 09:48 am
Because Super Bowls are nice but so are beach houses in Malibu.
pacman
February 13, 2020 at 09:44 am
What's the point of looking at WR's if your QB isn't hitting the ones that he has that are open? Unless you spend on a superstar WR that can get open deep that AR likes, you have to fix the problem. I don't rewatch the games with views of all players but Lazard has shown very good moves to get open and he is tall and pretty fast and he catches the ball. So you have 2 WR's and a good catching RB. What more should you need? Ok - a good fast TE would be nice. So we are in the Sternberger experimental stage that will take another year to play out.
Money should be spent on the defense so we don't get blown out against SF again and then maybe the offense could keep us in the game. AR's decline means we aren't putting up 40 points against anyone. And since we are not changing QB's, that's how it is going to stay. So we are talking about 2 players - another expensive lineman and ILB. We have the money for that,.
But overall, we got blown out in SF by mental errors and game prep and no adjustments. That's all the coaches. Give Pettine the players to NOT play 'bend but don't break'. Otherwise, we might as well have stuck with Capers.
Swisch
February 13, 2020 at 05:06 pm
There are only so many catches to go around in any given game.
Bringing in diva wide receiver who demands the ball could get ugly.
Especially with a new offense oriented toward the run, and perhaps shorter passes, we have to make sure our wide receivers are in harmony as a unit.
Dragon5
February 13, 2020 at 10:34 am
In a RAT year...
ESQ (RAT) should do very well
Adams & Kumerow (MONKEYS) should do well
best FA WR signing for THIS year (astro perspective)...would not give more than 2 year deal to any of them
Danny Amendola (OX) Gute better make this happen
AJ Green (DRAGON) Likely too expensive...DL (Pierce) or OL (Glasgow) would be better spent IMO
Phillip Dorsett (MONKEY) His '19 in NE seemed a lot like MVS...talented speed, little production
worst FA WR signing
Randall Cobb (HORSE)
Food for thought...if the Packers offensive roster took 3/4 of a season to get LaFleur's system down, what impact can one expect of a rookie or FA WR? Let's not forget Rodgers "trust" issues. Need seasoned vets that will adjust quickly and develop chemistry with Aaron. To, me Amendola checks all the boxes: experience, value, victor in 2 of 3 Super Bowls
Andresmo93
February 13, 2020 at 11:23 am
We dont have the money to sign a high price FA WR. We could add a complimentary receiver but i dont think we can afford a difference maker at receiver. I think they should focus on TE. The only TE we are going to have is Sternberger who is promising but at this point is not a TE1 yet. We are a running team who likes to play with heavy personnel and a good TE who could block and receive is instrumental to this system, perhaps more useful than a WR2 oposite Adams. I would try to sign Hunter Henry. He is not gonna come cheap but its a young complete TE and certainly cheaper than Cooper, AJ Green or Sanders. Austin Hooper is more of a receiving TE but a good one though. Wouldnt mind a Greg Olsen or a Eric Ebron either.
ILPackerBacker
February 13, 2020 at 12:16 pm
so me and a lot of guys I know are really lol ing at those who believe a rookie will come in next year and matter, change outcomes, dictate anything.
we are also laughing at the idea of free agents and low draft choices 'developing' and all that crap
my friends are J Boykin, Jarid Abber dabber do, Jeff Janis, MVS, GMO, Jake K.....and that is the ones in front, if needed I can look for the shorter ones
GB has to have another top skill position player WR or TE is not so important but again, how many years to waste waiting on abby? or Bob Tonyan?
Turophile
February 13, 2020 at 07:33 pm
You might laugh at the idea of a WR coming in and making an immediate impact (few do at that position), but It is STILL a good idea to take one and develop them. There have been few high picks at WR and it's time there was another one, maybe in round 2.
As for development later picks, well I'm not sure what you class as later, but the third and fourth rounds are the sweet spot for ILBs this year, and you might get a pretty good RB in rounds 4/5. After that, picks are usually more about depth and ST than anything else, though you occasionally get a Tauscher or Driver (both 7th rounders) and even Tramon Williams and Sam Shields (both undrafted I believe) that buck the trend...................so don't be laughing so hard you miss the next late-round or rookie FA gem.
LeotisHarris
February 13, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Man, now this is not the same-old-same-old CHTV blather. ATTENTION PEOPLE OF THE INTERNET! WE HAVE A HOT TAKE HERE!
How many is "a lot of guys?" On average, how long would you say you are "lol ing" at those who believe rookies will dictate anything ? Is it a laughing fit, something that goes on for some time, or just a simple burst of laughter? Do you do this as a group, or individually? Always in person or are phone calls involved?
How do you know when you're laughing at the *idea* of free agents "developing?" Is it a spoken exchange of information or are you and a lot of guys you know tuned into each other's thoughts so when one starts thinking "and all that crap" you all commence with your "lol ing?" Any knee-slapping?
You should get you and a lot of guys you know together with Dragon and set Gute on the right course ASAP. You have a gift, man. Don't waste it stringing words together here and giving them away for free.
Swisch
February 13, 2020 at 03:53 pm
If we can only get two big free agents this offseason, I'd consider tight end Austin Hooper for one, and then an inside defender for two. The rest has to be done in the draft.
What we need most in our receiving corps is a guy who can work the middle of the field, and it seems Hooper excels at that role. Either that or try to trade for a quick and shifty slot receiver like Cooper Kupp.
Then, it seems our first three draft picks should be inside defender, offensive lineman, and wide receiver -- with the order determined mainly by best player available.
I think there's good hope that aside Adams and Lazard, at least one of our other wide receivers already on the roster will step up, including those on the practice squad and the new guy from Canada.
That, and the addition of a rookie high in the draft -- either a speedster, or a quick and shifty slot guy -- seems the best we can do for now if we want to make our inside defense more stout.
Turophile
February 13, 2020 at 07:20 pm
There are four positions of fairly high need, as follows.
Round 1) DL needs an upgrade to give more help alongside Kenny Clark and there aren't many who can give that in this draft, even at #30. Brown and Kinlaw should be long gone. There is Neville Gallimore and Ross Blacklock as first round targets, with a faint hope of either Raekwon Davis or Justin Madubuike lasting until the 2nd. with so many good WRs this year, I'd go DL in round one, assuming one of my two choices is still there.
Round 2) That leaves round two for the WR. you can still get a good one at the bottom of the 2nd and that is what the Packers want, a solid no.2 WR.
Rounds 3 & 4) The third need is an ILB (or two of them if Martinez is gone). You could easily double-dip there in rounds 3 and 4, getting one coverage type ILB and one more geared to being a run stopper. Guys like Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey woild cover both skills.
The fourth need is TE because Graham is almost certainly gone (creating $8m in much needed cap space) and although I'd keep Marcedes Lewis for one more year, that would likely be his last. That leaves the current TE crop as Sternberger, Tonyan and possibly Looney in the somewhat unlikely scenario where he progresses enough to convert from DE to TE. The Packers need one more guy here, but this being a bad year for TEs, especially blocking TEs, I'd only commit a later pick here, a 5th or 6th.
I didn't list OT as a need as I'd bring Bulaga back on a 2-3 year contract, so i could address OT next year.
Later picks could get a RB, a CB, a developmental type O lineman, a hybrid S/ILB, even another developmental QB................and it's just possible a kicker is taken with one of the 7th rounders to give Crosby some competition in camp.
This fills up the roster pretty well, so what should Gute address in free agency ? TE might be a good option (so no later pick there needed). There are D linemen like Michael Brockers, ILBs like Cory Littleton (expensive) and Kwiatkoski that could mitigate the need to double-dip at ILB in rounds 3 and 4. Rather than look for OTs in free agency I'd just make sure to re-hire Jared Veldheer for insurance against Bulaga going down.
stockholder
February 13, 2020 at 07:46 pm
4. If your going to pay Bulaga you shouldn't have to worry about him going down. Your making allowances for his age, regression, attendance, and blocking. I believe Veld did a better job then bulaga. Giving money to the wrong person isn't going to solve anything.
wildbill
February 13, 2020 at 09:05 pm
Veldheer might have looked good but a real small sample size. He came in at the end of the year with fresh legs and not beat up as most players are at the end of the year. If we can get him cheap for backup again that’s great but to think he is a 16 game improvement over Bulaga is a stretch as between the two of them I doubt either would be healthy enough to play all 19 games next year.
jannesbjornson
February 13, 2020 at 09:20 pm
What about Bhaktiari's contract closing down after 2020? He's the All-Pro on the list. Lindsley can be replaced with a draft pick. I would rather go for the RT from this year's deep class. Veldheer will want 3-4M /year to play the backup role, minimum.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 13, 2020 at 09:08 pm
I've changed my mind on the best moves GB should take in free agency several times now.
This should be a very interesting off-season and a real test of Gute's ability to foresee which players will be available to the Packers in the draft.
Needs: RT, ILB, WR, DL, TE. CB
Draft ILB: Simmons, Murray, Queen, Harrison, Dye, Brooks
Draft OT: Lots of them.
Draft WR: Lots of them.
Draft DL: Brown, Epanesa, Kinlaw, Gallimore, Lynch, Madabuike, Davis, Lawrence, Foti, (several 4th rounders)
Draft CB: Fair amount of depth, and it might have to wait until round five or later. Sneaky need though.
It looks to me like it is least likely for a day-one starting ILB prospect to be where the Packers draft. Simmons will be gone. Will one of Murray and Queen be there at #30 or #62? Are they reaches at #30 and if so, will there be an OT or WR whose talent overwhelms? Would Dye be there at #94? Do Brooks and Dye really, really need a year? Or more? My problem is that Murray, Queen, Dye, Littleton, Martinez all need a better DL in front of them to shine. Not sure of Kwiatkoski.
I am not a draftnik, but I will look at these positions more closely. For now, I await the combine.
stockholder
February 14, 2020 at 07:07 am
I think most fans will change their mind on the best moves. My thinking is getting the BPA Rd. 1. Ha Ha was a no brainer pick. We needed a safety. The concern was speed. But the outcome went bad. I believe we may be in that same situation this draft. Taking Murray or Queen is going to be like taking Ha HA.or worse. RT RD 1. I'd rather not unless he could switch to Lt later. I still believe Wr is the best pick for the money. I believe the best WR will send a message to Rodgers and the league. . Getting the weapons in this draft is priority 1. I'd much rather have a wr with a 7.5 rating to a 6.4 LB.
mrtundra
February 14, 2020 at 08:12 am
If I were in Gute's shoes, I wouldn't spend a lot of $ on a FA WR, either. Not with this draft coming up. This draft is full of WR talent and surely one or two will fall to our pick(s), even if Gute doesn't make a move up. Either Shennault, Hamler or Reagor may find themselves falling to our 2nd round pick. If so, grab one of these guys. Two are speedsters(Hamler and Reagor) and one catches everything thrown at him(Shennault).
scullyitsme
February 14, 2020 at 11:32 am
I’d be all in on AJ green. He’s a generational talent that will come underpriced because of his injury history. He could do for the packers what moss did for the patriots. I realize he still won’t be cheap. But because every team knows he’s a risk he won’t get huge money either. I roll the dice. Adams on one side and Green on the other is too good to pass on. He’s had a whole year off, he’s as healthy I would think as he’s ever going to be. Get green and upgrade, Ilb, and offensive line and I say a Super Bowl happens.
Since'61
February 14, 2020 at 04:46 pm
The Packers have not drafted a WR in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. Maybe it's time to give that another try.
Thanks, Since '61