With the new NFL league year set to begin in just under a month, here are five Green Bay Packers free agent targets. Tasked with navigating a lowered salary cap due to the Covid-19 pandemic, General Manager Brian Gutekunst will face some tough decisions as they look to return to the playoffs once again in 2021.
With the ability to restructure contracts and release current players to free up space, the team possesses the ability to get under the league’s salary cap total with extra space to make additions to the roster. While they will likely remain out of the conversation for top players, here are five Green Bay Packers free agent targets as they look to go all-in once again next season.
Five Green Bay Packers Free Agent Targets
Richard Sherman
A long-time rival of the Packers during his time in Seattle and San Francisco, Sherman would provide the team with a short-term solution at the cornerback two spot with former second-round pick and current starting cornerback Kevin King unlikely to return for the team. Appearing in only five games during his 2020 campaign, the soon to be 33-year-old remains only a season removed from capturing both Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honours.
In addition to this, the ten-year veteran would also provide much-needed experience to a young Packers secondary led by standout cornerback Jaire Alexander. Likely to come in at a cheaper number after an injury-riddled 2019 campaign and with his 33rd birthday approaching. General manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers front office could add the veteran on a short two-year deal.
James White
Already rumored to be interested in joining the Packers after a four-year career at the University of Wisconsin, White would help add much-needed depth to the teams running back room. Likely to be without star running back Aaron Jones and backup Jamaal Williams with both rushers expected to walk in free agency, the longtime New England Patriot would offer Aaron Rodgers and Matt Lafleur with a dependable change of pace back behind second-year rusher AJ Dillon.
A dependable option for New England over his last four year’s with the team, the 29-year old averaged 66 receptions, 550 yards, and four touchdowns as the primary pass-catching option for Bill Belichick and company. With the running back position up in the air heading into next season, in addition to the Packers likely being out on bigger-name free agents, White would be a much-needed addition to the league’s number one overall offensive unit a season ago.
Avery Williamson
In need of an upgrade at linebacker after the release of veteran Christian Kirksey, the Packers remain thin at the position. With both former fifth-round pick Kamal Martin and undrafted rookie Krys Barnes headed into the final year of their contracts, Williamson would provide the team with a much-needed upgrade in the middle of their defense. Remarkably durable during his six-year NFL career, the longtime Tennessee Titan has yet to miss a game during his career.
Furthermore, the 28-year-old has racked up over 70 tackles in back-to-back seasons, with nine of them for a loss. A dependable special teams player, Williamson also racked up over 100 snaps on special teams for the New York Jets in 2018. This makes him an intriguing option as the third member of our five Green Bay Packers free agent targets to help out a special teams unit that has finished 20th or worse in six of their last eight seasons.
J.J. Watt
A Wisconsin native, Watt is rumored to be at the forefront of the Packer’s offseason plans as they look to clear up cap space to sign the three-time defensive player of the year. Still possessing the ability to get after opposing quarterbacks, the 31-year-old still remained productive in a down season in 2020 with 36 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, and five sacks in 16 games for the Houston Texans.
In addition to this, Watt remains an elite run defender with the speed and agility to get off blocks and haul down opposing ball carriers. The league leader in double team percentage at over 30 percent this past season, the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year also remains one of the NFL’s best leaders.
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Breshad Perriman
Enjoying another strong season for the second year in a row, Perriman hauled in 30 receptions for 505 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games for the New York Jets. A member of four different teams during his NFL career, the former first-round pick still possesses the speed as a primary deep threat with over 18 yards averaged per reception over the last three seasons.
Looking to fill a need behind star receiver Davante Adams, the 27-year-old also maintains the ability to take snaps in the slot, a much-needed area of upgrade for the team. Currently expected to get just over five million dollars on the open market according to over the cap, Perriman lands as the last player in our five Green Bay Packers free agent targets.
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