Green Bay Packers defensive free agents: Who stays and who goes?

Ryan Pickett and cornerback Tramon Williams make a tackle.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

6. Ryan Pickett – this his thirteenth season in the league, 34-year old Pickett is reaching retirement age. While he may think he has plenty of fuel left, the numbers just don’t lie.

• Returns to GB if – he is willing to sign a one/two-year cost-effective deal. I’m sure the Packers would love his veteran presence with so many changes looming. It would be a Jeff Saturday-type of signing if it happens at all. The Packers will continue to address the defense through the draft and with Josh Boyd getting some work, Pickett would be a placeholder until a younger guy was ready to take the reins.
• Walks from GB if – the Packers choose youth. Since the Packers replaced a productive Raji at NT with Pickett, both linemen have struggled to make stats. Raji and Pickett both posted career lows this year. It would be wise to move Raji back to NT where he excelled and to part ways with an aging lineman in Pickett.