Cast-offs the Packers Should Target
With free agency looming, teams will be making roster cuts. Some of those cuts will be easy decisions—others, not so much. Cap casualties are a hard reality for NFL teams and players. Even after signing big extensions, players can become cap casualties for teams as they reconfigure their future outlook. With free agency decisions of their own, the Packers could be players when signing cast-offs from other teams. Whether through the draft or in free agency, cornerback will likely be a position Green Bay invests in this off-season. There could be a few surprises when it comes to big-name players hitting the open market.
Tre’Davious White
Tre’Davious White is one of those names that could be a cap casualty. After rewarding White with a top-of-the-market contract in 2020, the Buffalo Bills restructured his contract at the end of 2022 to give themselves breathing room with the salary cap. White has been one of the league’s best cornerbacks when healthy. His health, however, has become an issue throughout the last few years in Buffalo. White failed to finish both the 2021 and 2023 seasons, due to injury. Adding to the speculation that White could be cut is the ambiguous answer Buffalo’s General Manager gave when addressing his future with the team. The cap relief the Bills could receive from moving on from White makes the decision a difficult one. Coming off an Achilles injury, White is no sure thing for any team. But he’s proven to be one of the top players at his position, and the Packers could capitalize by signing him if he’s a cast-off this off-season.
Joe Mixon
After taking a pay cut in 2023, Mixon returned to the Cincinnati Bengals for another ride. Being a team that has established itself as a perennial contender, it makes sense that Mixon wanted to remain in Cincinnati. Mixon’s play, however, has diminished over the years. More than that, the Bengals have invested in the position to help bolster the running back room. In 2023, Cincinnati spent a fifth-round pick on Chase Brown, who flashed at times last season in Mixon’s absence. The team liked what they saw from Brown in a small sample size, and could roll the dice on him being their feature back next season. With a championship window well intact, the Bengals will be looking to maximize the value of their offensive players while reworking their roster. That means Mixon could be the odd man out.
For Green Bay, a player like Mixon could be an asset. His skills as a receiver make Mixon an enticing player, especially when considering A.J. Dillon could be playing elsewhere in 2024. With Aaron Jones leading the backfield, Mixon could be an ideal back to spell Jones. He’s also strong at the goal line and received a lot of work in that area of the field during his time in Cincinnati. If he is cut, Mixon is a cast-off that the Packers should target.
Emmanuel Ogbah
Even after adding depth to the defensive front over the last few years, Green Bay could be looking to bolster their pass rush this off-season. Add in the fact that Preston Smith could be a cap casualty for Green Bay, and adding Ogbah makes sense. Although he is not in his prime, Ogbah is still producing at a relatively high level. The Packers will be looking to deploy Lukas Van Ness more than they did last season, which means a rotational player like Ogbah could be a target for the team. Ogbah has been productive in Miami but only started one game last season. With Rashan Gary leading the way as Green Bay’s premier pass rusher, Ogbah could find a good fit and help mentor players like Van Ness. Given the price it will likely take to sign him, Obgah is a name to watch as a cast-off that the Packers should target.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Enquirer
