The Packers Should Bring Back Davon House: If Released

The Green Bay Packers can find secondary help in one of their former players. Would it be wise to bring back Davon House?

At the 2017 NFL Scouting combine, there should be two men from Green Bay heavily focused on this year’s cornerback class. Packers GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy must do their due diligence in Indianapolis to find a replacement for Sam Shields. This situation is even more urgent because Damarious Randell and Quinten Rollins each took a step back last season.

While Thompson would prefer to build his team through the draft, he must improve the defense by adding players with NFL experience. Luckily, one player who may be available not only has game experience but experience with the Packers.

According to Ian Rappaport, former Packer Davon House will either be traded or released from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Because he is still due $6 million, Ted Thompson should avoid trading for House. Even if the Jaguars are willing to accept a late-round draft pick, the Packers can’t afford to spend $6 million on a player who barely saw the field since leaving Green Bay.

However, this doesn’t mean they should avoid him altogether. Instead of participating in a trade, the Packers should wait and see if he gets released. This is the most likely scenario as teams would be reluctant to pay his salary and trade assets in return.

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If this scenario plays out with his release, Green Bay should jump in and quickly sign him to a more affordable contract. Despite not living up to expectations in Jacksonville, House is still only 27 and familiar with Dom Capers’ system. Therefore, there would be less of a learning curve than if the team signed a different free agent.

While the addition of Davon House would not come close to solving the team’s defensive woes, it would provide depth and competition for Randell and Rollins.  If one or both of the cornerbacks continue to struggle, Capers would have another option instead of just watching them give up yards.

Combine this signing with the addition of a cornerback in the first or second round and the Packers could feel a little more comfortable heading into the season. However, whether fans like it or not the secondary will be anchored by Damarious Randell and Quinten Rollins. If these two go on to play like first and second round talents, the Green Bay defensive backfield might no longer be a glaring weakness.

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With Ted Thompson’s reluctance to sign free-agents being one of his most consistent characteristics, he may be willing to budge if it means re-signing one of his former players. While this move wouldn’t fix the defense, it would add some much needed depth.