There’s just one game left in what has been a perplexing NFL season. 30 teams have turned their attention towards the off-season. Many coaching vacancies have already been filled while other teams look to lock down their key players before free agency. The Green Bay Packers were able to retain their highest priority free agents-to-be before their season ended. Wide receiver Davante Adams and center Corey Linsley are now under contract for the next four seasons. Although there are several other players on the roster the team seeking new contracts, it’s time for new general manager Brian Gutekunst to start looking at other pending free agents around the league.
Pending Green Bay Packers Free Agency Targets
The Packers should have close to $25 million in available cap space for next season. The organization still needs to extend the contract of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They won’t be able to break the bank but will still have some space to make a splash. Obviously, players may still re-sign with their current teams or be franchise tagged, but here is a look at several potential free agents the Packers should extend a call to if they become available.
Malcolm Butler, Cornerback
Butler may be too much of a pipe dream for the Packers, but his fit with the organization is worth noting. Butler is a physical boundary corner that plays with grit and fight on every play. Although this has been a down year for the three-year starter, Butler would still immediately step in as the team’s top cornerback. Butler’s aggressive man coverage and determination to eliminate the opposing team’s top receiver are traits that could go a long way towards fortifying the Packers’ secondary.
After the New England Patriots signed Stephon Gilmore to a lucrative contract last off-season, it appears the team will move on from Butler. He could be seeking a huge contract to the tune of over $12 million annually. The Packers could hope to bring Butler in on a one-year deal if his market diminishes. If this team wants to make a large splash in free agency, cornerback would be a good target and the physical Butler would be a great addition.
Jimmy Graham, Tight End
The Packers may be very cautious about signing another high profile free agent tight end after the Martellus Bennett fiasco. Graham could be seeking another opportunity to play in a high octane offense where his skill set will be better utilized. Green Bay could be the perfect fit where they still haven’t found the answer at the tight end position.
Graham’s market is tough to gauge. He signed the most lucrative tight end contract in NFL history before the 2014 season. His $40 million over four seasons would be way too steep for a 31-year-old who hasn’t looked like the player he was before the extension. The Packers could potentially sign Graham to a short-term deal like they did with Jared Cook two seasons ago. Graham could be a huge addition to this team at a bargain considering his last contract.
Trey Burton, Tight End
Burton would be a great consolation prize if the Packers don’t look towards a player of Graham’s price tag. Burton has been playing second fiddle to Zach Ertz in Philadelphia but is both a reliable blocker and pass-catcher with the ability to start elsewhere. Utilized primarily as a blocker, Burton proved he could be a goal-line threat after Ertz missed two games. He only posted 248 yards but scored five touchdowns on just 23 catches this season.
Burton’s versatility on offense could be just what the Packers need. The Packers believed they found their all-purpose tight end last year in Bennett. Burton doesn’t have the unique size of Bennett or Graham but has strong hands and the uncanny knack to get open in tight spaces. His price tag shouldn’t be nearly as high as past free agent experiments either. Burton could team with Lance Kendricks to provide stability at a position of importance on offense.
Final Thoughts
There are several position groups that the Packers must address this off-season. The draft is still over three months away and this roster needs some new depth. There are three specific areas the team must address: secondary, pass rush, and tight end. There aren’t many outside rushers currently expected to hit free agency, so the Packers might want to focus on finding an impact player at one of the other two areas. An athletic tight end such as Graham or Burton could help stabilize the receiving corps on offense. Butler might garner too much interest on the market to sign with the Packers, but Gutekunst has to find more quality cornerbacks. The Packers should focus on adding depth in free agency this year more than most.
