Does one of the great remaining free agents make sense for the Packers?
The first great wave of free will is over. The Green Bay Packers have signed a new punter but have focused most of their time and energy on keeping their own players, using the cap space freed up by a handful of moves – including the Davante Adams trade – to re-sign De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas and Robert Tonyan.
Now, general manager Brian Gutekunst can go one of two routes: be aggressive in acquiring big-name veteran talent or start doing business.
The Packers aren’t flush with cap space, but there’s enough left to make a run on a player if Gutekunst wants to make a splash. For a team that’s been knocking on the Super Bowl door for three years, a big move can’t be ruled out, especially with Aaron Rodgers back for at least the 2022 season.
Does one of the big names left in free agency make sense for the Packers? Let’s investigate, using the free agent rosters (updated Tuesday morning) from Pro Football Focus and NFL.com as a guide.
Joe Nicholson – USA TODAY Sports
FPF: No. 2
NFL: Number 6
Teaming up with Wagner with De’Vondre Campbell at linebacker could be a tempting scenario, especially given Wagner and Campbell’s versatility against the run and the pass. He might be slowing some down, but Wagner has always been terrific against the run and a safe tackler, and he’s no slouch in coverage. Would the Packers be willing to spend Continued money at inside linebacker after signing Campbell for a big deal? Wagner is still a lot of value, but Joe Barry’s defense probably isn’t putting enough linebackers on the field for that to make monetary sense.
Jay Biggerstaff – USA TODAY Sports
FPF: #5
NFL: No. 2
This one would be super interesting. The Packers have two veteran safeties in Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos, but Joe Barry likes having three safeties on the ground, especially in passing situations, and the Packers don’t have an obvious slot defenseman on the roster. Signing Mathieu would provide another playmaker and revenue creator, and his presence would allow the Packers to get more creative with Savage, who badly needs to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 season. Going from Henry Black to Honey Badger would be a huge improvement at the third point of safety. It’s even possible that Mathieu could be an upgrade on Savage as the No. 1 free safety. There wouldn’t be a better secondary in football if the Packers were able to lure Mathieu to Green Bay.
Philip G. Pavely – USA TODAY Sports
PFF: No. 3
NFL: No. 7
The Packers lost Za’Darius Smith, who once thrived as an all-around rusher who could wreak havoc from the edge and from the inside. Clowney is a similar type of defender. He’s probably more versatile in terms of lineup and could give the Packers a different look, especially in obvious passing situations. He is also only 29 years old. Then again, Clowney won’t come cheap after a nine-sack season, and endless injuries are a red flag. He also played for four teams in four seasons. It’s hard to see the Packers doing that job.
Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
PFF: No. 6
NFL: No. 3
The Packers need a veteran receiver after trading Davante Adams, and they were interested in Beckham at the trade deadline last season. By all accounts, Beckham also had an interest in playing with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. When healthy, he can be a #1 option in the passing game. But he also tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and won’t be available for much of the 2022 season, negating much of his value for a team in need of immediate help. This one could make sense down the road, especially if Beckham waits to sign later in the summer. The Packers will likely need to put a play or two in place at the receiver before chasing Beckham again.
Steve Roberts – USA TODAY Sports
FFP: 14
NFL: 18
At the height of his powers, Jones would have been the perfect fit for Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. Remember, LaFleur was in Atlanta while Jones was making incredible numbers with Matt Ryan. Now, it’s fair to wonder if age and injuries are finally weighing heavily on the once physically unrivaled wide receiver. Can a team trust him to be 100% for any series of games? He has just 82 catches over the past two seasons. If his corps could cooperate, he would be a great option as the new No. 1 target. It would be an unusual move for the Packers.
Philip G. Pavely – USA TODAY Sports
PFF: No. 17
NFL: No. 11
Landry, a slots catcher, could be an awkward fit in an offense already giving Randall Cobb shots. However, he’s played more on the outside on the Browns’ offense and would have a relatively easy transition to Matt LaFleur’s scheme, and you can bet Aaron Rodgers would love playing with an ultra-competitive, win-hungry player like Landry. He knows how to walk the roads, open up and earn the trust of a veteran quarterback. At the right price, adding the former Brown could be an attractive option, especially for a team in win-now mode. Sign Landry, draft a high receiver, and the Packers could be in decent shape at receiver.
Reinhold Matay – USA TODAY Sports
PFF: No. 11
NFL: No. 8
Campbell turns 36 in September, but he’s still a great player against the run and as an inside pass thrower. He would immediately improve the Packers defensive line by providing multi-location versatility and consistent disruptive ability. He gave the Ravens more than 600 quality shots last season. Add Campbell to Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry and the Packers could have the makings of a solid front defensively. But can Green Bay make an expensive one-year cap deal work?