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Green Bay Packers: Ten players to target in free agency

By Kenn Korb

Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) runs after a catch and is tackled by Buffalo Bills strong safety Bacarri Rambo (30) during the first quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) runs after a catch and is tackled by Buffalo Bills strong safety Bacarri Rambo (30) during the first quarter at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwayne Allen

This one is a bit more underrated – in fact, I haven’t seen anything outside of personal conversations about this option – but it should have some credence.

Allen no doubt had a bad year in 2015, but that entire offense was a mess in an awful season in Indy. They ended up losing Andrew Luck after what was a shoddy start and eventually saw Josh Freeman playing QB for them.

Allen has played well in the past however, and that is what I think that should be given more credence than this cluster of a season.

He missed the majority of 2013 with an early-season injury, but when he played in 2012 and 2014 he was excellent; in those years he combined for 74 catches on 116 targets with 916 yards and 11 TDs. This was all with a litany of other options for Luck; he has had guys like T.Y. Hilton, Coby Fleener and Donte Moncrief to look for, with Allen acting as a relative safety blanket in most cases.

That may sound somewhat too close to Richard Rodgers for some people’s tastes, but unlike Rodgers, Allen has been able to pick up more yardage on his targets (his career average of 11.5 yards per catch beats out Rodgers’ 9.4).

Allen could be an excellent piece to go along with Rodgers and give the Packers a strong 1-2 TE punch they haven’t really ever had, one that can work over the middle, garnering first downs and acting as large targets in the end zone.

Allen’s lacking 2015 season could also keep his price lower, and may not even necessarily preclude Green Bay from still considering other options in the draft.

It would no longer sit as a glaring need however, which is exactly what we all would be glad to see.

Secondary Option: Coby Fleener

Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) runs after a pass reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) runs after a pass reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Fleener likely is considered the better option by many, but I have already seen reports linking him to a return to Indy. Plus, his price-tag is likely higher.

Still, he does rate well in all facets (74.8 overall, 72.6 receiving, 70.5 run block, 76.9 pass block; PFF grades for 2015), hasn’t been hampered with injuries (missed 4 games as a rookie but none since in a 4-year career).

Fleener consistently produces (50-plus catches the past three seasons, 17 career TDs, and 11.8 yards per catch average for his career).

Should he not return to Indianapolis, he would be deserving of a good look.

Next: Another tight end who could help

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