Packers free agents: Green Bay’s top 10 players expected to be available

The Green Bay Packers have over a month (March 15th) until the new NFL season officially begins. That’s when free agent signings and trades can be made official.

Green Bay has a lot of work to do between now and then, including making final decisions on which players they want to offer new contracts to and which ones they have to let go. That’s a purely business decision that often gets way too much emotion attached to it.

Green Bay has a pathway to creating the necessary cap room to keep all of their free agents if they so choose. However, they’ll have to prioritize guys based on their play and price tag. Here is a ranking of their top 10 unrestricted free agents based purely on their talent level (they also have three restricted free agents–Yosh Nijman, Krys Barnes and Tyler Davis–who are not included on this list).

The Green Bay Packers have 14 unrestricted free agents this offseason. Here is a ranking of their top 10 players expected to be available.

1. Keisean Nixon, KR

Nixon is the biggest difference-maker on this list, placing him at the top. He took advantage of a well-schemed return unit and made the NFL’s All-Pro team as a kick returner. He did a tremendous job consistently setting the Packers up with great field position. His production was second to none in the NFL.

2. Allen Lazard, WR

Green Bay would love to have Lazard back, but the wide receiver will be too pricey. He’s a great third option, but he wants to get paid like a number 1.5. The Packers aren’t in a position to pay upwards of $10 million a year for a glorified blocker.

3. Robert Tonyan, TE

It will be interesting to see Tonyan’s free agent value this offseason. He returned following an ACL injury in 2021, but never regained the explosiveness that helped him break out in 2020. Another year removed from surgery should help him, but he doesn’t have a long history of success to fall back on.

4. Marcedes Lewis, TE

Lewis is a glorified sixth offensive lineman, and that’s okay. He knows his role and plays it to a tee. He’s a nice veteran presence in the locker room and would be helpful to have in this time of transition.

5. Dean Lowry, IDL

The Packers’ defense improved when Lowry missed the final few games. The defensive line seems set to move on without him–TJ Slaton and DeVonte Wyatt are ready for more snaps. It might be time to say goodbye.

6. Adrian Amos, S

Amos had such an awful 20222 campaign that it dropped him to no. 6 on this list. He lost a lot of athleticism overnight and had the worst season of his career. The Packers will have better inside knowledge, but he might be done.

7. Mason Crosby, K

Crosby rebounded nicely in 2022 and still has another year or two in him. The Packers have been scouting kickers for a couple of years, preparing for this day. We’ll see if they feel confident to move on or if they bring Crosby back for another run.

8. Jarran Reed, IDL

Reed was a nice free agent signing last year, despite not playing up to his potential. His depth was helpful, but it could be time to move on after just one year if he’s not a cheap option.

9. Rudy Ford, S

Ford is a great special teamer who flies recklessly around the field. He was part of the reason for Green Bay’s turnaround in that category. He played some spot duty at safety, but clearly isn’t ready for a full-time defensive role.

10. Justin Hollins, OLB

Hollins was a fine under the radar signing worth bringing back again. He stepped up nicely when Rashan Gary went down and could be a viable fourth edge player next season.