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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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Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end B.J. Raji (90) is led off the field by trainers after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 38-8. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end B.J. Raji (90) is led off the field by trainers after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 38-8. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Nose Tackle (3-4 DT)

Current Players n Roster

  • None

Upcoming Free Agents (GB)

  • B.J. Raji (64.1 Overall; 48.9 Run Defense, 60.6 Coverage, 71.4 Pass Rush)
  • Letroy Guion (72.3 Overall; 76.7 Run Defense, 60.0 Coverage, 60.3 Pass Rush)

I could have gone with a more open-ended look at the entire defensive line, but in this case I’m specifically thinking of the anchor in the middle.

Green Bay currently doesn’t really have anyone under contract who can play as their nose tackle — and their only two real options from last year are not only set to be free agents but might be best suited being left for other teams.

That is especially true of Raji, who had a mostly poor season despite a move back to the nose.

Having a strong anchor could work wonders for their run defense, giving them more flexibility in the way they play against that aspect of the game.

While the defense definitely played better as a whole in that area in 2015 compared to the whole of 2014, there was a lot of that coming from simply loading up more bodies than any individual efforts in that regard.

This wasn’t as big an issue as it could have been due to excellent play from a young secondary, but on either/or plays (plays that could realistically end up as runs or passes at the snap) it could leave the defense susceptible to being attacked at the linebacker spots — especially over the middle.

Having somebody in the middle that can eat up blocks effectively and crowd the area up the gut would let the team feel better prepared against those kinds of plays.

Nose tackles aren’t cheap by any means, but there are options out there who could be more effective pieces within a rotation than what we saw from the Raji in 2015.

Taking a one-year flyer on one of them (the way a team like Washington did with Terrance Knighton last season — someone who is available this year again as well by the way) or maybe even considering a long-term deal for one of the bigger-upside young players available at the spot would have a seismic effect on how the team could construct their gameplans against opposing offenses going into 2016 (and possibly beyond).

Next: Pass rusher

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