Green Bay Packers’ Notable Free Agents in 2020

Before the Green Bay Packers kick-off their final stretch of the regular season, let’s take a look ahead to their free agents this upcoming offseason.

We are 11 weeks into the 2019 NFL season and the Green Bay Packers have gotten off to a fantastic start as they sit 8-2 overall as the two seed in the NFC while also sitting alone at the top of the NFC North.

A big reason for their success so far this season has been because of the moves that GM Brian Gutekunst made this past offseason in free agency. And as we look ahead to the upcoming offseason, Green Bay will once again have a number of their own free agents that they will have to make difficult decisions on.

So let’s take a look at the Packers’ notable free agents in 2020 but before we do, here is a brief explanation of the three different kinds of free agents.

Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): Players with four or more years of NFL experience who are free to sign with any team that they choose.

Restricted Rights Free Agent (RFA): Players with three years of NFL experience who can receive offers from different teams, but their current team has the right to match the offer.

Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA): Players with two or fewer years of NFL experience who can only be tendered a contract from their current team.

Bryan Bulaga – UFA

Although injuries have been a part of his career, when Bryan Bulaga has been on the field he has been excellent and the same holds true this season. Through 10 games, Bulaga has allowed only three sacks and 17 total pressures. Tackle is a premier position in this league and I’m not sure how well Billy Turner would fare at the position. Meaning, the Green Bay Packers don’t have a viable replacement on the roster, so I hope Bulaga is brought back.

Tramon Williams – UFA

He’s flown under the radar, but Tramon Williams has been very good this season as the slot corner. In fact, Pro Football Focus has him rated as the 14th best cornerback in coverage this season. However in 2020, he will be 37-years-old and depending on cost and if Williams wants to keep playing, Green Bay could be looking elsewhere.

Mason Crosby – UFA

While Mason Crosby’s job was up in the air this summer, he has rebounded well this season after a disappointing 2018. So far he is 13/14 of field goal attempts and a perfect 29/29 on extra points. As we’ve seen from the Chicago Bears, finding a reliable kicker isn’t easy and even though Crosby has had a some hiccups over his career, bringing him back for at least another year seems like the smart move.

Geronimo Allison – UFA

This was supposed to be a big season for Geronimo Allison but for the most part he has struggled. Through 10 games he’s caught 63.9 percent of his passes for only 9.2 yards per catch with three recorded drops and a fumble. I anticipate the Green Bay Packers revamping the receiver position this offseason and I don’t expect Allison to be a part of the team in 2020.

Marcedes Lewis – UFA

While it has been great to see Marcedes Lewis actually on the field this season, my guess is that the Green Bay Packers move on in 2020. The future of the tight end position appears to be Jace Sternberger and Robert Tonyan, and although they will still be looking to add a veteran to the mix, I imagine it will be a younger player than Lewis.

Kyler Fackrell – UFA

After a 10.5 sack season in 2018, the additions of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith knocked Kyler Fackrell down the depth chart at edge rusher to the third spot where he is sharing reps with rookie Rashan Gary. But clearly Gary is going to be playing a bigger role moving forward which means Fackrell will probably end up elsewhere in 2020, instead of being the fourth option in Green Bay.

Ibraheim Campbell – UFA

Ibraheim Campbell has only played in four games with the Green Bay Packers since he was acquired in the middle of the 2018 season, but in that short time he has shown that he is a very good tackler and is also very comfortable playing down in the box. Given his inexpensive contract along with Mike Pettine oftentimes utilizing three safeties on the field at one time, my guess is that he will be back next season.

Blake Martinez – UFA

This is perhaps going to be the most difficult decision for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. While Blake Martinez is the quarterback of this defense, is seemingly around every play, and rarely misses a snap, he does have his limitations as well.

In a recent article by Ryan Wood of Packers News, an anonymous agent projected Martinez to make $8-$10 million on the open market. Ultimately I think that will be out of the Packers’ price range given that they still have to pay Kenny Clark and David Bakhtiari. However, if they do decide to move on, finding an ILB early in the draft or in free agency will be a must because the solution isn’t on the roster at the moment.

Jake Kumerow – ERFA

Exclusive Rights Free Agents aren’t going to come with a big salary cap hit and based on what we’ve seen from Jake Kumerow this season, even if the Green Bay Packers do overhaul the wide receiver position as I predicted above, Kumerow will be back for training camp.

Robert Tonyan – ERFA

Unfortunately Robert Tonyan has been injured as of late but we’ve seen flashes from him in the passing game and he is much improved as a blocker. Letting him walk instead of paying him a salary in the range of $600,000 would be a mistake given his potential. I also mentioned above that I believe him and Sternberger are the future of the tight end position for the Green Bay Packers.

Allen Lazard – ERFA

We all wondered who was going to step up and be wide receiver two behind Davnate Adams, and to the surprise of what I’m going to assume is everyone, it has been Allen Lazard. Since the Detroit game he has caught 18 of 24 passes for 220 yards with a touchdown and he clearly has the trust of Aaron Rodgers. He will be back and his role will continue to grow.

Tyler Lancaster – ERFA

This season Tyler Lancaster is playing nearly 40 percent of the Green Bay Packers’ defensive snaps and has two sacks. While I do expect Green Bay to potentially add a defensive tackle this offseason – whether it be free agency or the draft – Lancaster is continuing the develop and considering his price tag, I’d be surprised if he is gone.

Remaining Free Agents:

Ryan Grant – UFA

B.J. Goodson – UFA

Lucas Patrick – RFA

Adam Pankey – RFA

Chandon Sullivan – ERFA

Tremon Smith – ERFA

Tony Brown – ERFA

Will Redmond – ERFA

All stats via Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus