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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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Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speaks to New York Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples (98) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speaks to New York Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples (98) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Already cut: Quinton Coples, 3-4 OLB

2015 statistics: 15 games played, 286 snaps (209 NYJ/77 MIA), 8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Pro Football Focus rankings: 71.6 (overall); 70.6 (pass rush), 73.0 (run defense), 61.9 (coverage)

Coples has been a player who has far under-performed the expectations for him so far in his career. When the Jets originally drafted him in 16th overall in 2012, he was expected to be the pass rusher they had needed to take their defense up another level.

He fell short of that, but was still able to provide a semblance of those skills on occasion. It wasn’t enough for New York though, and Coples ended up on the Dolphins as a part-time player this season due to his inadequacies on the field.

The advanced stats are decently kind to him though, showing a player who could make an impact through a specialized role. He does a decent job against the run and the pass, so he wouldn’t need to be specifically played on any certain down.

Matchup-based usage would likely be the way to go, and a team that has been able to run out a host of different 3-4 OLB options over the years like Green Bay would be as good a chance as any for him to be utilized in the best way possible.

Next: Possible cuts to watch for

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