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5 free agents Packers should look into during Week 13 bye

By Brian Sampson

Sep 8, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) gets ready for the snap during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (71) gets ready for the snap during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Free agents Packers should look into: Olivier Vernon, EDGE

It’s been rough going for Green Bay’s outside linebackers since the season started. Za’Darius Smith didn’t practice at all during training camp, tried to play sparingly in Week 1 and only made his back injury worse–he hasn’t returned since. It’s unclear at this point whether he will return at all this season.

The Packers signed Whitney Mercilus in the middle of the season and he was playing well before suffering a season-ending injury a few weeks ago. Now, Rashan Gary is battling an elbow injury that caused him to miss a game as well.

With depth running thin, Green Bay should look to add to the position with veteran Olivier Vernon. If healthy, he could play the Mercilus role and be a nice depth piece behind Gary and Preston Smith. He had nine sacks a season ago and could be a nice change of pace disruptor for the Pacekrs.

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