3 Low-Cost Linebackers the Packers Can Still Target in Free Agency

3. Isaiah Simmons

Isaiah Simmons checks a lot of the same boxes as the last linebacker we looked at.

Drafted as something of a hybrid linebacker-safety, Simmons' coverage skills are elite among linebackers. PFF had him tied for No. 7 in coverage grade among all linebackers who played 200-plus coverage snaps in 2023.

He also held opposing passers to just an 81.9 passer rating when targeted on the season, which is a mark that would have ranked No. 27 (between Kenny Pickett and Desmond Ridder) among the NFL's qualifying quarterbacks.

But that coverage prowess comes with a real lack of run defense. He also missed a career-high 8 tackles (good for a brutal 13.8% missed tackle rate) and only received a 54.7 run defense grade.

However, when you consider that the Packers still only have one solid safety option in Xavier McKinney, getting safety-level coverage from the linebacker spot could make it a lot less important to pay up for a top-end player to fill that other safety spot.

You'd need to sign another linebacker that can replace Simmons on rushing downs, but with the cheap contracts off-ball linebackers tend to command (Simmons only made $1 million last year), that's easily manageable.

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