Green Bay Packers Training Camp Preview: Cut ‘em or Keep ‘em
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers IOL Lucas Patrick: Keep
Cap Savings: $1.975 million
The big reason that Patrick’s name has even come up in this discussion is because of the nearly $2 million in cap savings that the Green Bay Packers can save. However, I don’t believe it’s worth it. Among guards last season, whether you’re looking at PFF’s numbers or ESPN’s win rate metrics, Patrick was low-key pretty good. Not to mention that with all of the injuries that the offensive line sustained in 2020, we saw how important depth is.
With Josh Myers likely starting at center, I’d feel much more comfortable having a veteran presence next to him in Patrick, rather than having Royce Newman or Ben Braden, two other players with no NFL experience–that could lead to some issues early on.
Green Bay Packers WR Devin Funchess: Cut
Cap Savings: $1.22 million
This was the most difficult decision because I could see Funchess being a contributor this season on third downs and in the red zone. And if the Green Bay Packers keep six wide receivers, I’d bet that he makes it. But for this exercise, I’m operating under the assumption that they keep five just as they did in 2020, which leaves only one spot available.
Talent-wise, Funchess is the best out of the receivers competing for that roster spot, but there are also a lot of unknowns considering that he hasn’t played a game in almost two years, and he hasn’t played a full NFL season since 2018. The real kicker in this decision was that he has provided very little special teams help over his career, and for a back-end of the roster player on a team with a plethora of pass-catching options, special teams is an important role to fill.
Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown: Cut
Cap Savings: $850,000
With Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Amari Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, and Dominique Dafney as options in the passing game, it’s not as if St. Brown is going to see a ton of playing time, and up to this point in his career, he has provided very little special teams value–again, an important aspect for any fifth or sixth wide receiver on a roster. Keep your eyes on Malik Taylor and Juwann Winfree.