Green Bay Packers: Re-prioritizing Remaining 2021 Free Agents

1. Corey Linsley

Another factor that had me wrestling between Corey Linsley and Aaron Jones for the top spot was the fact that I believe that the Green Bay Packers could handle Linsley’s departure relatively well because they do have Elgton Jenkins as well as Lucas Patrick as options at the center position. And Jon Runyan could take over at either guard spot.

However, in the end, I have Linsley as priority free agent No. 1 because of the reasons listed on the last slide with Jones, but also because he has been one of, if not the best center in the game this season and the same could be said for the entire Packer offensive line as well. So if Green Bay does have the opportunity to keep that unit intact, well, then that’s a no brainer for me.

This season, which has spanned 368 pass-blocking snaps for Linsley, he has given up just one sack and incredibly, only two total pressures. The fewest of 147 eligible offensive linemen. He’s also rated as the second-best offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus’ ($) pass-blocking efficiency metric, which quantifies pressures allowed on a per snap basis, and if grades are your thing, he’s the fourth rated offensive linemen by that metric.

Needless to say, Linsley has been excellent this season. And when it comes to his cost in free agency, there is the possibility that his average annual contract value is still less than what Aaron Jones might get on the open market.

So given Linsley’s high-level of play along with the importance of having as good of an offensive line unit as possible, if the Green Bay Packers can squeeze in one more free-agent signing this offseason, Linsley is my top choice.