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Green Bay Packers: Potential roster cuts for Packers to target in free agency

By Kenn Korb

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) runs past Green Bay Packers free safety Micah Hyde (33) during his touchdown reception in the second half at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) runs past Green Bay Packers free safety Micah Hyde (33) during his touchdown reception in the second half at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook (89) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook (89) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Already cut: Jared Cook, TE

2015 statistics: 16 games played, 672 snaps (70.07 percent of team total), 39 receptions (73 targets), 481 yards

Pro Football Focus rankings: 59.0 (overall); 47.7 (receiving), 73.9 (run block), 49.7 (pass block)

Cook reminds me a lot of a player currently set to be a free agent this year: Ladarius Green. Both have been lauded for their potential, athleticism, and big-play ability, but neither has been consistently able to make an impact for their teams despite all those physical gifts.

Just like how Cook got a large contract for that potential, I expect Green to do the same (I also expect Green to do just as Cook has done in not living up to that contract, but that is another story).

Despite his increased age, that athleticism is still mostly there with Cook — the issue, as always, lies in his consistency. St. Louis decided it wasn’t worth the money they were paying him to wait for him to finally figure that part of his game out, but the natural abilities he brings to the table will always be of interest to teams.

A major weakness for the Packers on the offense is a target that can threaten defenses deep down the middle. We haven’t seen that since Jermichael Finley days, and though the offense has usually managed (until 2015) to do well despite lacking a weapon in this aspect of their roster, it is the type of target that can completely change the complexity of games.

Now, Cook wouldn’t be some kind of Rob Gronkowski-level gamebreaker, but he would be by far the most athletic piece Green Bay has had to try attacking defenses down the middle with in years. He also would provide a capable blocking option on running downs — something that Richard Rodgers will likely never be.

If the price is right, taking a one-year flyer on his potential wouldn’t be the worst idea out there. To circumvent any potential production and/or personality issues he may bring with him, whatever contract he would get would likely be heavily performance-based; in that case, should the need arise to release him it wouldn’t be prohibitive to do so.

This also wouldn’t prevent Green Bay from looking for a more long-term option to develop at the position, possibly alleviating pressure to grab a player there early and instead focus on solidifying areas elsewhere on the roster.

Next: Shoring up the defensive line

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