Green Bay Packers: Predicting which Free Agents Stay & which Go

The Green Bay Packers have 20 of their own free agents to address this offseason. Here is a prediction of who will stay and who will go.

The NFL free agency period begins in just a little over a week on March 18th, and for the Green Bay Packers, they are going to face some difficult decisions when it comes to their own pending free agents.

While the rumors that we heard from the NFL Combine saying that Green Bay would be looking into Joe Schobert, Austin Hooper, Nick Kwiatkoski, and Cory Littleton are certainly entertaining and I’m sure many fans hope they land at least one of these players, the Packers still have 21 of their own free agents to address as well.

Choosing to keep some of these players will be no-brainers, while others will be quite the opposite. So before the free agency period begins, I’ve split these players up into their respective free agent classifications and I will give my prediction as to what I think the Green Bay Packers choose to do.

And keep in mind, I’m predicting what I think Green Bay will do, this isn’t necessarily what I would do.

Unrestricted Free Agents

The unrestricted free agent is the classification that we are most familiar with. This is the player that has accrued four years of NFL experience and is free to sign with any team.

Bryan Bulaga

The fan base appears to be fairly split on this one and for me, I fall into the camp of re-signing Bryan Bulaga. I think losing him leaves too big of a hole at right tackle to fill, especially with a soon to be 37-year-old quarterback.

However, at the combine, we heard a report from Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski of Packers News saying that Green Bay and Bulaga’s representatives weren’t in contract discussions at that time. On top of that, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required) believes that Bulaga will sign elsewhere based on what he had heard at the Combine.

Verdict: He walks

Tramon Williams

This was toughest prediction for me. Williams will turn 37 soon but he performed quite well as Green Bay’s go-to slot corner in 2019. On top of that, after Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, and Chandon Sullivan there are a lot of unknowns in that cornerback room.

Ultimately, I really think there is value in bringing Williams back. He’s shown he can still play and he isn’t going to cost much either.

Verdict: Re-signed

Jared Veldheer

Well, if Bulaga is gone I certainly hope that Jared Veldheer is the one taking his place. He will come on an affordable one-year deal and he filled in admirably last season. This will also give the Packers stop-gap at right tackle for 2020 as they try to find the long-term solution in the draft.

Verdict: Re-signed

Geronimo Allison

In 2018 we saw GM Brian Gutekunst bring in Tramon Williams and draft Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson to help fix the cornerback position. Then last season he made four big free agent signings to help address the edge-rusher, safety, and guard positions. He would then spend his first three draft picks on those three positions as well.

Given the overall performance of the receiver position in 2019, I’m expecting that same aggressive nature from Gutey. And that means Geronimo Allison, who really struggled, won’t be back.

Verdict: He walks

Danny Vitale

I’m surprised at how little Vitale was used under Matt LaFleur in 2019 and I’m hoping that changes moving forward. At Northwestern and in spurts with Green Bay we’ve seen Vitale make plays in the passing game. If used correctly he can be a matchup problem for opposing defenses.

Verdict: Re-signed

Marcedes Lewis

Lewis is a bit limited in what he can do but he has a defined role on this team that he performs well. And considering that with Jimmy Graham’s eventual release, the Packers only have one tight end on the roster at the moment for 2020, they certainly need some help there.

On top of that, I think there is value in having a veteran on the roster at a difficult position like tight end. While Lewis won’t be the only tight end addition this offseason, he won’t cost much and he knows this offense.

Verdict: Re-signed

Jason Spriggs

I mean, Spriggs is a former second-round draft pick that just didn’t work out.

Verdict: He walks

Ryan Grant

Even with all of the issues that the Green Bay Packers had at wide receiver in 2019, Grant still didn’t see the field.

Verdict: He walks

Kyler Fackrell

It’s already been reported that Fackrell likely won’t be back and it makes sense. The Smiths are clearly going take a majority of the snaps and after spending the 12th overall pick on Rashan Gary, it’s time for his playing time to increase in 2020. Fackrell is just the odd man out.

Verdict: He walks

B.J. Goodson

Goodson was rarely used in coverage, especially considering how frequently Mike Pettine uses three safeties on the field. Additionally, the Packers appear to be pursuing some of the top inside linebackers in free agency in their search for a three-down linebacker and simply, they just need more speed in the middle of this defense. I just don’t see Goodson fitting in with their future plans.

Verdict: He walks 

Ibraheim Campbell

Campbell fits well in this Mike Pettine defense as the hybrid linebacker and proved to be a very nice insurance policy last season as he was able to fill in for Raven Greene upon his return. Not to mention that he won’t break the bank by any means.

Verdict: Re-signed

Tyler Ervin

Matt LaFleur in a recent press conference stressed the importance of finding a third running back for the 2020 season and Tyler Ervin’s name was even mentioned. During the last few games of 2019, we started to see what a weapon Ervin could be in this offense, whether it be out of the backfield, on a jet sweep or lined up out wide.

Verdict: Re-signed

Blake Martinez

Martinez rarely missed a snap, was around most plays, and was the quarterback of this Green Bay Packers’ defense. However, he came with his limitations. And with the reports stating that he is looking to earn $10 million or more per year on his next contract, he won’t be back.

Verdict: He walks

Restricted Free Agents

This is a player with three accrued NFL seasons who can negotiate with other teams, but his current team has the opportunity to match any offers that he receives.

Malcolm Johnson

We barely saw Danny Vitale on the field last year and I imagine the Packers will choose him or Malcolm Johnson.

Verdict: He walks

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

These are players with two or fewer NFL seasons and they can only be tendered a contract by their current team. And these contracts are relatively inexpensive.

Robert Tonyan

Jace Sternberger is the future at TE1 but Tonyan has shown that he can flash in the passing game and that he is a willing blocker.

Verdict: Re-signed

Jake Kumerow

Once again, we’ve seen flashes from Kumerow in the passing game, Aaron Rodgers is a fan of his, and he’s a very good run blocker as well. I think Green Bay brings him back but with – hopefully – an infusion of talent at receiver this offseason, we will have to see if Kumerow makes it to Week 1.

Verdict: Re-signed

Chandon Sullivan

Over the second half of the season, Sullivan really started to emerge as a reliable option at corner and I expect his role to increase in 2020. Perhaps even becoming the team’s top slot corner whether Tramon Williams is back or not.

Verdict: Re-signed

Tyler Lancaster

The Green Bay Packers still need to try to find Kenny Clark some help along the interior but Lancaster has shown that as a rotational player he can make some plays.

Verdict: Re-signed

Will Redmond

We really saw Redmond struggle in coverage last season but to his credit, he was excellent on special teams. And that alone is reason enough to bring him back.

Verdict: Re-signed

Allen Lazard

Duh.

Verdict: Re-signed

John Leglue

He isn’t going to cost a whole lot and there’s no such thing as too much depth on the offensive line.

Verdict: Re-signed

So there you have it. As I mentioned at the beginning, free agency isn’t too far off and it’ll be interesting to see who the Green Bay Packers decide to keep and who they move on from. Be sure to comment below and let me know if you’d do anything differently.