One of the key facets to any team’s off-season review has to be the scouting of free agents. But free agency tends to be the time of year where Packers fans check out… or try to.
Maybe there is no point, but you can be sure Ted Thompson is spending the time to evaluate free agents. The thing is, Thompson has a number in mind and he is not going to over pay. Someone will over pay.
This article will examine the free agents who spent their 2016 season on the Packers roster and then move on examine some names that might be closer to a reality for the Packers plans.
Green Bay Packers Free Agency Preview
Free Agents on the Packers 2016 Roster
Jared Cook, tight end (2016~$2.75 mill)
Jared Cook was probably the most notable addition to the Packers roster last year. Cook played on a one year “prove it” contract, and boy did he prove it. Cook missed six weeks due to injury, but the Packers were 8-2 in the regular season with him on the field (2-4 without him). Thompson likes to keep players already on the roster. Look for Cook to get a very fair offer on a contract of approximately three years.
Eddie Lacy, running back (2016~$850K)
Many people started speculating that the injury that ended Lacy’s season also ended his career in Green Bay. There’s no disputing Lacy was great in his first two years. Still, he was just as equally disappointing in 2015. Lacy trimmed down some and looked far more athletic this season. A season ending ankle injury is nothing to ignore. Still, Lacy was playing very well before his injury and should get a “prove it” deal himself. Expect a one year contract, maybe an incentive driven deal.
Julius Peppers, outside linebacker/defensive end (2016~$8.7 mill)
This is likely the last we will see of Peppers. The Packers had to plan for resting Peppers for the end of the season and he was a part-time player. Ted Thompson is a big believer in letting someone go a year early rather than a year late. I do not see how the Packers keep Peppers.
T.J. Lang, guard (2016~$5.2 mill)
Yes, Lang is scheduled to have some surgery. The surgery will be on his ankle though and not a knee, as many feared. The decision to let Josh Sitton go at the beginning of 2016 showed that the Packers likely planned to extend David Bakhtiari and keep Lang as part of the solution over the next few years. At just 29 years old, Lang should get another three or four years (though likely three so the Packers can keep some options open).
Nick Perry, outside linebacker (2016~$5.0 mill)
Perry is another player who entered this season on a “prove it” contract. He took $5 million to stay in Green Bay and rewarded the Packers by leading the team with 11.0 sacks on the season. Perry even played the last few games of the season and all the playoffs with a club while dealing with a broken hand. He also did a great job of holding the edge in the run game. Perry should see Thompson offering a few years of stability in contract negotiations.
J.C. Tretter, center/guard and Don Barclay, guard/tackle
Putting these two together as backup linemen. Tretter has the advantage of being able to step in at center. Barclay had a nice run a few years back at right tackle, but has not been consistent in the last two seasons. With Jason Spriggs getting time at both guard and tackle, Barclay does not have the value of a replacement draft pick. Barclay will likely hit the market and Tretter will get a respectable offer.
Free Agents Likely in the Packers’ Sights
Chandler Jones, outside linebacker, Arizona (2016~$2.04 mill)
This is the biggest stretch imaginable. Assuming Peppers is gone, Jones would fill a giant hole and provide a very athletic edge rusher opposite Clay Matthews, III. The biggest issue is he does not really fit the mold of those who Thompson targets and lands. This will be the first pay day for Jones coming off his rookie deal. Expect the Packers to be massively outbid here. Fun thought though.
Paul Kruger, outside linebacker/defensive end, New Orleans (2016~$3.0 mill)
More likely target. Kruger has experience and has played on three different teams already. He’s a bit on the downside with ability. Kruger is 30 years old and played in a 3-4 his whole career. He does not need to be the primary rusher in this scheme. The Packers would only expect him to be a cheaper pass rush option across from Matthews or Perry. Kruger is not going to break the bank and he might fly very much under the radar.
Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker, Atlanta (2016~$1.25 mill)
This is a much less exciting option. Upshaw has skills and will be affordable. He was playing second fiddle in Atlanta and could see and increase in snaps in Green Bay. He’s never been great on pass rush numbers, but he’s a solid addition if sought.
Logan Ryan, cornerback, New England (2016~$700K)
This is the reach out there at cornerback. New England has the same love of locking up their own that the Packers have. Expect Ryan to stay put with a good offer. Still, this is someone likely on Thompson’s mind.
Kyle Wilson, cornerback, New Orleans (2016~$840K)
Wilson is coming off an injury that kept him out all of 2016. That said, Wilson is an athletic corner back with speed. He is used to being a corner on a blitzing 3-4 team after playing with the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints. Coming off his second contract, his second team and a lost season, Wilson could be very available and ready to play for a contender.
Nolan Carroll, cornerback, Philadelphia (2016~$2.4 mill)
Yes, this is a bit of a reach, but it fits the mold. He has experience and is going into his third deal, having played in both Miami and Philadelphia. Carroll has put up double digit passes defensed in three of the last four years. He could be a good fit and add the leadership vacated by the loss of Sam Shields.
