Green Bay Packers Free Agency: 3 Positions To Ignore
It’s safe to say the Green Bay Packers can ignore these three positions in free agency, as they’ll need to focus their attention elsewhere.
The Green Bay Packers have a number of needs they must address in free agency this offseason. Unfortunately, they have limited resources to do so.
As of now, the Packers have about $20 million in cap space, but they could add another $12 million by cutting Jimmy Graham and Lane Taylor. Still, that won’t give them enough money to do everything they need to in free agency alone.
As general manager Brian Gutekunst tries to prioritize his free agent positions of needs, there are certainly other positions he can ignore, including these three:
Running Back
The Packers have a stud in Aaron Jones who figures to receive an even larger workload next season after carrying the team at times in 2019. Behind him, Jamaal Williams has been underwhelming despite receiving ample opportunities out of the backfield.
Also at the position includes 2019 sixth-round pick Dexter Williams and mid-season free-agent signing Tyler Ervin. Williams has a lot of work to do to make the team next season, but Ervin was a nice surprise.
Green Bay will likely shore up their running backs by adding another player this offseason, however, it’s most likely to be through the draft. Both Jones and Williams will need contract extensions that begin in 2021 and the Packers will likely look to add another player behind them who is cheap and under team control for a number of years–something that doesn’t happen in free agency.
Offensive Guard
Despite the question marks surrounding Bryan Bulaga and right tackle, the Packers are set at guard. Elgton Jenkins, a second-round pick in 2019, is a stud and will start for years to come. Billy Turner was one of the Packers’ prized free agent signings last year and was a great addition as well.
Behind them is Lane Taylor, likely a cap casualty this year. The Packers also have Lucas Patrick, a quality backup in his own right. That gives them more than enough veteran options on the roster should injuries occur.
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Outside Linebacker
Gutekunst worked hard to shore up his outside linebacker position last year and it paid off in a big way. He let Clay Matthews walk in free agency and cut ties with Nick Perry. In their stead, he brought in Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith–two of the best signings. Rashan Gary was also drafted in the first round and he can play some outside linebacker as well.
The trio of Smith, Smith and Gary has a bright future ahead of them and any veteran would likely take playing time away from them–something that shouldn’t be done. Even with Kyler Fackrell likely walking in free agency, Gutekunst doesn’t need to worry about outside linebacker in free agency.