Green Bay Packers: Raven Greene Signs with Bucs

With limited cap space, the Green Bay Packers’ plan this offseason was to run back a very similar roster as to what they had in 2020, in hopes of making another deep playoff run. Their only outside addition was long-snapper Joe Fortunato, while they re-signed Aaron Jones, Kevin King, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan, Chandon Sullivan, and several others.

However, one member of the 2020 roster who now officially won’t be back is Raven Greene. The Packers chose to non-tender the restricted free agent earlier this offseason, and he will now be heading to play for Tampa Bay.

In the Mike Pettine defense that spent about half of their defensive snaps in dime, Raven Greene played an important role as that hybrid linebacker. He would line up closer to the line of scrimmage as a box defender, providing run support but also being tasked with helping in coverage over the middle and against tight ends and running backs.

When healthy, Greene was unspectacular but overall he was fine By PFF’s grading system ($$) last season, he was considered average—and the same goes for 2019.

In 20 career games from 2018 to 2020, the former undrafted free agent tallied seven pressures, three sacks, and 45 tackles. In coverage, he allowed a completion rate of 72 percent on 42 targets and 9.3 yards per catch with an interception and a pass breakup.

The Green Bay Packers may be bringing in a new defensive system this season, but there’s always room for a big, athletic, and versatile safety like Greene. Unfortunately, injuries have been a big part of Greene’s career up to this point.

As the old saying goes, your best ability is availability—and Greene hasn’t been available. As I mentioned above, he has appeared in 20 out of a possible 48 games over the last three years and only has one start.

The safety position in the Joe Barry defense plays an important role in run defense and is tasked with several responsibilities. The Packers are positioned well with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, but they’ll need a reliable third option to lean on as well.

Current on the roster options include Will Redmond, who has had more success on special teams. Vernon Scott and Henry Black both of whom flashed in small sample sizes but are former seventh-round and UDFA selections. And Green Bay just signed Christian Uphoff from Illinois State after the draft.

Someone from this group will need to step up.