Candidates for Packers to claim on waivers market: Updated Tracker
With a plethora of players set to hit the waiver market on Tuesday, it will be essential to track the worthy players the Green Bay Packers could put a claim on.
Every NFL team must cut their rosters down to 53 players by 3 pm. CT on Tuesday, August 30th. Green Bay has already begun that process and you can follow along live here. Teams will then be able to claim released players and be awarded them on Wednesday, August 31st at 11 am CT.
Although the Packers are heavy at the top of their roster, they have work to do further down the depth chart a critical positions. Although only 27 players were claimed following these cutdowns last year, there’s already a handful of quality players who have hit the market.
Follow along on this article throughout the day and leading up to Wednesday’s deadline as we update the released players worth knowing who could help the Packers out.
Here’s an updated tracker of the quality players who were released that the Green Bay Packers might want to pick up on the waiver market.
Rudy Ford, S-Special Teams
The Packers are overhauling their special teams unit and need more players who can perform in that section. They already signed safety Dallin Leavitt so Rudy Ford might be a duplication, but it’s worth monitoring. Ford was a stud on special teams for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the new coaching staff is going in a different direction. Ian Rapoport reported “multiple teams” tried to trade for him before his release.
Tony Jefferson, S
Unlike Ford, Tony Jefferson could actually get on the field at safety for Green Bay. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry loves to use a third safety which means it’s a position they must upgrade. They’ve had a bunch of injuries so far and Jefferson could immediately give them reliable depth. He’s a reliable player and would immediately become the third-best safety on Green Bay’s roster.
Next. 3 Packers who could be claimed if cut. dark
Devon Kennard, OLB
This is a phone call the Packers should’ve already made. Kennard is coming off a down season in Arizona, but had seven sacks in each 2018 and 2019. He had a strong training camp and preseason, but the Cardinals drafted two outside linebackers to whom they want to give the reps ahead of Kennard. He would be an immediate upgrade behind Preston Smith and Rashan Gary and the exact veteran Brian Gutekunst has been looking for.
O.J. Howard, TE
A 2017 first-round pick, Howard spent the first five years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. However, he was released by the Bills on Tuesday and will hit the waiver wire. Green Bay could look at adding him while releasing Tyler Davis. Howard’s best season came back in 2018 when he caught 34 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns.