3 Free Agents Who Can Still Help the Green Bay Packers
By Paul Bretl
Will the Green Bay Packers make a late-season free-agent addition?
If I were to place a bet on the idea, I’d probably choose no. However, as we’ve seen in each of the last two seasons, it is a move that Brian Gutekunst will make with Tyler Ervin, Tavon Austin, Jared Veldheer, and Snacks Harrison all being recent examples.
Of course, with only $4.6 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap, Green Bay can’t be spending huge amounts of money. But at this stage of the season, there really isn’t anyone out there who is going to break the bank—so that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Taking into account who is available as well as positional need, I’ve highlighted three players that could be of interest to the Green Bay Packers if they wish to explore free agency—which might not be a bad idea with all of these injuries that they’ve had to deal with.
Green Bay Packers Free Agent Target: Tyler Ervin
During his time in Green Bay, Tyler Ervin was utilized on offense as the gadget-type player, who was lined up all over the formation, was sent in motion, and utilized on screens. This time around, he won’t really be needed in that fashion, but he can provide this special teams unit with a much-needed boost.
Amari Rodgers has been returning punts all season and doing so unspectacularly. There have been bobbled and dropped punts, not to mention that his indecisiveness with the ball in his hands has led to poor returns. Out of 20 eligible punt returners this season, Rodgers’ average of 6.3 yards ranks 17th.
The kick return responsibilities have belonged to Malik Taylor since Kylin Hill was placed on IR—although Rodgers handled those duties in Minnesota with Taylor sidelined. Taylor doesn’t offer much in terms of playmaking but has been fairly reliable with the ball in his hands and with his decision-making.
Although expectations shouldn’t be that Ervin would be a game-changer as a return man, he has more experience than Rodgers and more upside than Taylor. Over his career, Ervin has 50 kick return attempts and has averaged 21.4 yards per return. On punts, he has averaged 8.2 yards on 77 attempts.
And although I wouldn’t expect Ervin to see much, if any, action on offense, he is familiar with the system and a good fit if the Green Bay Packers ever found themselves in a pinch.