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Green Bay Packers: Which free agents re-sign, walk in 2016?

By Freddie Boston

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) celebrates after sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) in the second half during a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. The Packers won 35-18. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) celebrates after sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (not pictured) in the second half during a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. The Packers won 35-18. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Mike Neal (96) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Mike Neal (96) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

LB Mike Neal

After an injury-plagued start to his NFL career, Mike Neal has become a durable member of the Packers’ defense, starting all 16 regular season games in each of the past three seasons. Is that enough to earn him a new contract in Green Bay?

In all likelihood, the Packers will bring back either Neal or Nick Perry, but not both. That means they have a decision to make. First off, which player do they think can help the team the most moving forward, and then which contract would be more affordable?

Let’s make a case for Neal.

While he’s not as powerful as Perry, or as talented a pass rusher, he’s reliable. You know what you’re going to get with Neal. The past three seasons, he’s been durable and has posted similar numbers. In this span, Neal has finished each season between four and five in number of sacks.

Neal is a valuable member of the Packers’ pass rush rotation and is a player they would like to bring back. A player’s best asset can be his availability, and Neal has certainly proved that in recent years.

However, with Perry being the younger option with more upside, I get a feeling the Packers will want to bring him back and let Neal get paid elsewhere.

Prediction: Walks

Next: Nick Perry

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