Green Bay Packers Free Agency Grade Roundup

Free agency has now slowed down, so let’s take a look at what grades some NFL analysts gave the Green Bay Packers and their signings.

The NFL’s free agency period is now a few weeks old and things have settled down a bit after the initial frenzy. And when it comes to the Green Bay Packers, this year was much quieter than last. However, as GM Brian Gutekunst told us, that was to be expected.

After making four splash free agent signings in 2019 and with six key pending free agents for the 2021 offseason (David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, Kevin King, Aaron Jones, Corey Linsley, and Jamaal Williams), the Packers have simply just had less spending power this time around.

Instead, they had to go bargain shopping and brought in three outside players at arguably their three biggest positions of need. Of course, this group includes Christian Kirksey, Rick Wagner, and Devin Funchess. On top of that they would re-sign Mason Crosby early on, and more recently they brought back Marcedes Lewis, Will Redmond, Tyler Ervin, along with their exclusive rights free agent class.

As always, opinions are going to vary when it comes to giving free agency grades and that is why we are here today. Many NFL analysts have given their thoughts and handed out grades for each team’s additions and subtractions. So where do the Green Bay Packers end up? And do these grades align with how you feel?

But before we get to that, I wanted to quickly give my thoughts on the matter. If I were asked to hand out a grade to Green Bay, while keeping in mind their cap situation, I would give them a B-.

Overall I don’t think that they really improved, however, other than the tackle position, I don’t think they really took a step back either. And if Wagner can stay healthy in 2020 and play as he has in past seasons, given his price tag this signing will look like a good deal for the Packers.

Although Kirksey, Wagner, and Funchess all come with their own question marks, all three have the potential to be impact players in 2020. Additionally, the contracts that the Packers gave each of these players were big factors in all of this. They didn’t break the bank and they are all short-term deals.

Now with that out of the way, let’s see what other grades the Green Bay Packers have received.

Anthony Treash – Pro Football Focus

*Keep in mind that this grade was given before the Devin Funchess signing, which I do think would have helped Green Bay.

"“The number one priority for Green Bay this offseason was to get Aaron Rodgers more receiving weapons. As of now, there are still a few solid options on the market in Robby Anderson and Breshad Perriman, but there haven’t been any signs that the Packers will add either one, instead likely pursuing a receiver in the NFL Draft. That’s a fine route considering the loaded recruiting class, but even with a high-end rookie addition, the team will lack depth at the position.It was known that Blake Martinez would be on his way out of Green Bay, but paying Christian Kirksey $8 million in each of the next two seasons to replace him was not the route to go. He’s been a liability in coverage over the last four years, ranking 64th of 75 off-ball linebackers in coverage grade and 65th in passer rating allowed at 113.2.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: BELOW AVERAGE

Gary Davenport – Bleacher Report

"“Last year, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spent a ton of money in free agency, and those moves paid off with a trip to the NFC Championship Game. This year, the Packers were in a much less advantageous position relative to the cap, and the results are substantially different.With leading tackler Blake Martinez gone, there will be considerable pressure on newcomer Christian Kirksey to stay healthy and anchor the inside linebackers. Longtime right tackle Bryan Bulaga bolted for the Bolts, and Rick Wagner is an admitted downgrade. Ditto for Marcedes Lewis relative to Jimmy Graham at tight end.Gutekunst tried his best to patch the holes in the roster. But his bucket of spackle wasn’t nearly as big as it was last offseason.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

Cody Williams – NFL Spinzone

"“Packers general manager Brian Gutenkunst wasn’t kidding when he told fans not to expect the same type of aggressive approach to free agency that Green Bay employed last offseason. They’ve been operating on a budget so far in 2020 while letting some veterans in Bryan Bulaga and Blake Martinez walk. But at the same time, the moves they’ve made have been smart and keep this team in line to still compete atop the NFC.Christian Kirksey getting $8 million per season on a two-year deal is expensive but, if incentive-rich, it’s a contract that could pay off to help upgrade the linebacker corp. Meanwhile, Rick Wagner can be only a slight downgrade from Bulaga at right tackle while Devin Funchess at least gives the offense another option at wide receiver.Is any of this incredibly exciting? Of course not. But are they smart moves that set the team up to attack the draft smartly? Indubitably.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

John Clayton – Washington Post

"“A year after hitting it big in free agency, transforming their pass rush with Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, the Packers took a low-cost approach but may have upgraded at linebacker and on the offensive line.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: B

Sean Wagner-McGough – CBS Sports

"“The Packers emerged with the highest grade in the NFC North, but that doesn’t mean they hit a home run. They just had the best offseason out of all four teams. I’m not saying the Packers should’ve overpaid for a linebacker like Blake Martinez, but his loss will be felt. The same can be said for Bryan Bulaga, their long-time right tackle, who is an elite blocker when healthy. They will miss him. At the very least, the Packers have been able to find suitable replacements — Rick Wagner at right tackle and Christian Kirksey at linebacker (their best move, in my estimation).But the Packers failed to provide Aaron Rodgers with another weapon he so desperately needs. Davante Adams can’t catch all of his passes. Their decision to sign Devin Funchess, a receiver who struggles at gaining separation, is laughable. That’s not the upgrade they needed.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: C+

Cole Thompson – Pro Football Network

"“Ricky Wagner will at least be serviceable as Bulaga’s replacement. The same could be said for Christian Kirksey in place for Martinez. Other than that, did Green Bay do anything? They’ll be banking on the draft to help them improve for 2020 because it was quiet up north.”"

FREE AGENCY GRADE: B-

Ultimately we won’t know how good or bad any of these signings were until the 2020 season has played out. However at this point, the general consensus is that the Green Bay Packers held their ground when it came to who they added and who they lost. Which is more than what the rest of the NFC North can say.