Green Bay Packers: 3 Free Agent Targets at Positions of Need
By Paul Bretl
Free agency is right around the corner, and while much of the offseason up to this point has been focused on the Green Bay Packers’ salary cap situation, the opportunity to make a signing or maybe even two is still there.
Earlier this week, when meeting with reporters, GM Brian Gutekunst was asked about free agency and whether or not the Packers will be able to participate. While understandably so, Gutey didn’t sound like someone about to go on a spending spree; however, he did acknowledge that for the right player, Green Bay could make something work:
"“I do think if the right particular player is out there, and we think it’s the best thing for the Green Bay Packers, we’ll be able to do it,” Gutekunst said via Packers Wire. “We won’t be able to do a lot and I do think there are some restrictions, but if the right guy is there, I think we’d be able to do what we need to do.”"
Many teams are affected by this salary cap crunch, not only the Packers—which is going to affect the free-agent market. The top available players will likely still get paid, but it’s those middle-tier free agents and veterans who are going to be squeezed into shorter, cheaper deals.
This is where the opportunity for the Green Bay Packers to make an addition or two lies.
So as I put this list of potential free-agent signings together, I tried to remain salary cap conscious while focusing on positions of need—although, for transparency, I did add one player strictly because of a recent rumor.
With free agency just a few weeks away, here are three names to keep your eyes on.
Green Bay Packers Free Agent Target: Chris Carson – RB
With Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams’ futures unknown, that leaves the Green Bay Packers with AJ Dillon and a hole to fill at running back. As I just alluded to, I probably wasn’t going to include a running back as a free agent target, since I believe they could find someone in the draft, but in an interview on the Pat McAfee Show, Dianna Russini of ESPN did mention Chris Carson as a name to watch:
"“Chris Carson is a name I’ve heard buzzing around if Aaron Jones doesn’t come back,”"
Carson was a seventh-round pick by Seattle in 2017 and had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019 with the Seahawks. On the ground, Carson has scored at least five touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, including nine in 2018, and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over his career–although it’s worth noting that he does have 11 fumbles as well.
He’s also been a big factor in the Seattle passing game, with at least 44 targets in each of the last two seasons and a career catch rate of almost 85 percent on 123 targets. Carson has averaged 7.5 yards per catch and added another seven touchdowns through the air.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they picked which team some of the top free agents were going to end up with. And you’ll never guess who they had Carson signing with:
"“Hidden away in Seattle, Carson has been one of the best runners in the league over the past few seasons, grading among the top 10 running backs in each of the previous three seasons and ranking third among running backs in yards after contact per attempt (3.4) over those years. He’s a perfect replacement as a two-down running back who will need to cede his place for Jamaal Williams on third down.”"
A backfield made up of Dillon, Carson, and a potential draft pick is one that this Green Bay Packers’ offense could continue to rely on–even without Jones and Williams. Not to mention that it isn’t going to break the bank either.