NFL Free Agency: Breaking Down Tiers For Green Bay Packers
As the Green Bay Packers are preparing for free agency, let’s place the available players into different tiers according to their difference-making.
NFL free agency is set to begin on Wednesday, March 18th which means the Green Bay Packers have a little under three weeks to complete preparations for the annual event. They’re undoubtedly scouting different players across the league, as they try to figure out exactly who can help them take the next step and get to the Super Bowl in 2021.
Green Bay landed a number of big free agent acquisitions last season in Billy Turner, Adrian Amos, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Even if they don’t have the money available to bring in that same haul this season, they could bring in one top tier player if they want to. Otherwise, they could target a couple of smaller impact players to round out their roster.
At Dairyland Express, we’ve been breaking down a few players at every position of need that the Packers could target. But let’s put the top 50 free agents into tiers according to the impact they’ll have.
Tier 1
- Dak Prescott, QB
- Amari Cooper, WR
- Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE
These two players are the top playmakers in free agency. The Packers desperately need better pass-catchers next season and landing Cooper, although unlikely, would be a huge hit. He’s a true number one receiver and would likely get single coverage when sharing the field with Davante Adams. As for Clowney, although the Packers don’t have a need at edge rusher, he’s too good not to put into this category.
Tier 2
- Shaq Barrett, Edge
- Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
- Justin Simmons, S
- Ryan Tannehill, QB
- Byron Jones, CB
- Arik Armstead, DE
- Brandon Scherff, OG
- Joe Thuney, OG
- A.J. Green, WR
- Derrick Henry, RB
- Drew Brees, QB
Although the Packers don’t have huge needs for a lot of the players on this list, they are still very good. Green is the biggest name of the group, but his best days are behind him and injuries have plagued most of his career. Jones would be a nice addition, however unlikely, given his versatility and Kevin King’s struggles.
Tier 3
- Tom Brady, QB
- Cory Littleton, LB
- Matthew Judon, Edge
- Anthony Harris, S
- Hunter Henry, TE
- Bud Dupree, Edge
- Jack Conklin, OT
The best of the rest, these players are in for major paydays and will make some new (or old) teams very happy. Littleton would be a nice addition for the Packers, as Blake Martinez is likely gone. Same for Henry, but his injury history will scare a lot of teams away.
Tier 4
- Phillip Rivers, QB
- Anthony Castonzo, OT
- Chris Harris Jr., CB
- Jameis Winston, QB
- Dante Fowler, Edge
The players will all make an impact with whatever team they sign, but certainly have warts that will lower their price tags. As for the Packers, none of these guys really fit a position of need, outside of Castonzo, so it’s unlikely they’ll be in the running for them.
Tier 5
- Leonard Williams, DE
- D.J. Reader, DT
- Devin McCourty, S
- Javon Hargrave, NT
- Jason Pierre-Paul, Edge
- Austin Hooper, TE
- Vonn Bell, S
- Melvin Gordon, RB
- Robby Anderson, WR
- Everson Griffen, Edge
- James Bradberry, CB
Now we’re talking. Green Bay has been linked to Hooper and Anderson as possible additions to help their pass-catching woes. Neither player is perfect, like the rest of the guys in this tier, but have enough skills that will make them attractive to multiple suitors in free agency.
Next. Packers: Recapping Free Agent Positions of Need. dark
Tier 6
- Robert Quinn, Edge
- Emmanuel Sanders, WR
- Shelby Harris, DL
- Bryan Bulaga, OT
- Jimmie Ward, S
- Graham Glasgow, OG
- Kyle Van Noy, LB
- Joe Schobert, LB
- Andrew Whitworth, OT
- Kenyan Drake, RB
- Jarran Reed, DT
- Logan Ryan, CB
- Kendall Fuller, CB
Hopefully, Green Bay can agree to a reasonable deal with Bulaga and keep their elite offensive line intact for another season. Other players that could interest the Packers in this tier include Sanders, Harris and Schobert.