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Green Bay Packers: Five positions to target in free agency

By Kenn Korb

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during an NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (82) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) after making a catch in the third quarter at Levi
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (82) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) after making a catch in the third quarter at Levi /

Tight End

Current Players on Roster

  • Richard Rodgers (74.0 Overall; 81.5 Receiving, 49.3 Run Blocking, 45.5 Pass Blocking)
  • Kennard Backman (60.8 Overall; 59.3 Receiving, 62.1 Run Blocking, 60.0 Pass Blocking)
  • Mitchell Henry (60.6 Overall; 60.0 Receiving, 61.3 Run Blocking, 60.0 Pass Blocking)

Upcoming Free Agents (GB)

  • Andrew Quarless (55.9 Overall; 58.9 Receiving, 49.9 Run Blocking, 63.7 Pass Blocking)
  • Justin Perillo (69.6 Overall; 72.9 Receiving, 54.4 Run Blocking, 66.3 Pass Blocking)

Moving on to the passing game.

The flailings of the wide receivers in the absence of Jordy Nelson are widely documented, but moving forward that position appears pretty settled at this point.

Nelson is set to return as the undisputed #1 option, pushing all the other players back down a spot on the depth chart; this should hopefully fix the majority of issues that plagued the spot and help return the passing game to what we we used to seeing from them prior to 2015.

On thing that isn’t fixed by that is the lack of an over-the-middle threat. McCarthy stated as much during the year-end press conference.

The tight end spot would seem to be the easiest fix for that ailment.

Right now Green Bay has a decent player manning the spot in the other Rodgers, but while he brings sure hands and good size to the equation, he is far from a dynamic option.

Green Bay needs somebody who can open up things across the middle of the field in a way they haven’t consistently been able to since the days of Jermichael Finley.

Luckily, this position has a ton of different players set to enter free agency.

If Green Bay decides they want to foray into that group, there are plenty of potential impact players of all levels of age, experience, and production to choose from.

Picking one of the players available here would likely come with a higher price tag than a draft pick, but for a team with a bundle of areas that need to be fortified all across the roster, making sure one of those many boxes is checked off gives them more flexibility when it comes time to utilize the draft.

Next: Nose tackle

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