3 free agents who could immediately help the Packers
The Green Bay Packers have struggled their way to a 3-2 start to the season. They’ve underwhelmed in their losses and even left much to be desired in their victories.
We’ve heard a lot about how this team needs time to gel as the season progresses. They are incorporating a lot of younger players into the offense and they need all the reps they can get to thrive. Their defense doesn’t have the same built-in excuse, leading me to believe other changes are needed.
You can never have too much talent. And although Green Bay has good talent at the top of the depth chart, they could always use more depth. Here are three free agents who could immediately help the Packers in one way or another if they were to be signed today.
Here are three free agents available who could immediately help the Green Bay Packers win on the football field.
Alex Okafor, EDGE
Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are one of the best duos on the edge in the NFL. Gary has set the world on fire to begin the season and Smith has been his usual reliable self. However, Gary is now dealing with a toe injury–an especially problematic development considering the Packers play their two starters at an unsustainable clip.
Okafor could provide Green Bay with the edge depth they’ve been missing. He spent the last three years with the Kansas City Chiefs and knows what it’s like to be on a team competing for a Super Bowl. On the wrong side of 30, however, he’s not the same person who put up a career-high eight sacks in 2014. He is better than any backup edge rusher Green Bay has and would immediately provide them with a capable rotational player.
Dee Ford, EDGE
Dee Ford is the bigger name and better player at this point in their respective careers. Ford is a speed rusher who has seen age and injuries sap some of that speed. However, we’re seeing Jason Pierre-Paul thrive with the Ravens and the Packers might be wise to take a flyer on Ford. Ford should be healthy at this point. He’d provide the Packers with a capable third rusher from the edge, similar to their signing of Whitney Mercilus last year.
Will Fuller, Wide Receiver
The Packers’ biggest need on offense is the addition of another pass-catching weapon. Christian Watson is out this week and could be headed to the injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Sammy Watkins is already there. That leaves Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Romeo Doubs as the top three receivers.
Fuller would provide the Packers with another speed demon who can blow the top off a defense or occupy them with crossing routes. He’s also struggled to stay on the field throughout his career, but he is the best wide receiver on the free agent market who can play right now (Odell Beckham Jr. still needs time to fully recover from his ACL tear).