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Packers: 5 defensive players to avoid in 2021 free agency

By Brian Sampson

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts to run past D.J. Hayden #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts to run past D.J. Hayden #25 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – AUGUST 18: Safety Earl Thomas III #29 of the Baltimore Ravens trains during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on on August 18, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – AUGUST 18: Safety Earl Thomas III #29 of the Baltimore Ravens trains during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on on August 18, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Free Agent to avoid 2: Earl Thomas, Safety

In theory, Earl Thomas could play the single high free safety position in Green Bay, allowing Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage to roam around the rest of the field doing what they do best. They could line up near the line of scrimmage, deeper in the secondary or wherever thanks to Thomas’s ability to play deep.

However, the Packers would be smart to avoid Thomas at all costs. Thomas is being accused of acts of violence against his wife and has other off-the-field issues that could disrupt the Packers’ cohesive locker room. That’s not even mentioning on the field, where he’s clearly lost a step with his best days behind him. He didn’t play at all in 2020, but sometimes the NFL overlooks issues for great talent. That shouldn’t be the case for the Packers.

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