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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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Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal (96) before the game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal (96) before the game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Pass-Rusher (3-4 OLB)

Current Players on Roster

  • Clay Matthews (65.1 Overall; 46.8 Run Defense, 70.9 Coverage, 74.8 Pass Rush)
  • Datone Jones (75.4 Overall; 75.0 Run Defense, 60.6 Coverage, 73.6 Pass Rush)
  • Julius Peppers (73.2 Overall; 45.8 Run Defense, 50.3 Coverage, 80.0 Pass Rush)
  • Nate Palmer (44.8 Overall; 36.4 Run Defense, 50.6 Coverage, 48.1 Pass Rush)
  • Jayrone Elliott (67.2 Overall; 58.0 Run Defense, 57.9 Coverage, 69.5 Pass Rush)
  • Carl Bradford (N/A)

Upcoming Free Agents (GB)

  • Nick Perry (73.2 Overall; 78.2 Run Defense, 49.6 Coverage, 71.2 Pass Rush)
  • Mike Neal (49.6 Overall; 76.4 Run Defense, 58.1 Coverage, 41.8 Pass Rush)
  • Andy Mulumba (52.6 Overall; 65.2 Run Defense, 60.0 Coverage, 50.4 Pass Rush)

This one may be surprising on the surface.

Green Bay did well in terms of collecting sacks on the season (43; tied-7th in the league), and the grouping of pass rushers was the main contributor in that facet.

Even better for this spot: Clay Matthews is expected to be moved back to predominantly working on the outside again, allowing his pass-rushing ability to be utilized to its fullest.

There are issues here though, mostly residing in two factors.

One factor is the upcoming free agents at the spot.

Perry and Neal combined for over 1,200 snaps on defense this year; that alone is hard to replace. At least one of these two is likely to be let go, if not both.

In either case, somebody will need to be taking those snaps. It is feasible to suggest Matthews racks up a large portion of those, but a main reason this spot was able to be productive this year was a wealth of options to turn to. It would be wise to make sure this spot is stocked on as many tangible options as possible.

The other factor is the overall lacking ability against the run game exhibited by many of the players here. Matthews and Peppers — the two likely expected to grab the most snaps out of the currently contracted players — were especially lackluster in that area, if not outright awful.

Having guys who can step up not only as pass rushers but stand in strong against the run is essential to being able to handle whatever a defense might throw at you.

This is one of the hardest areas to look to for help in terms of free agency — teams don’t just allow great, multi-faceted pass rushers to leave, and if they do those players cost an exorbitant amount — but there are players out there worth at least an inquiry, and not all of them should run the bill too high due to other factors (mostly likely: age).

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