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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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Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) fumbles the ball as Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) makes the hit during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) fumbles the ball as Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) makes the hit during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential cut: Karlos Dansby, ILB (CLE)

2015 statistics: 16 games played, 1,031 snaps (98.38 percent of team totals), 108 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INTs, 6 passes defensed, 2 defensive TDs

Pro Football Focus rankings: 72.0 (overall); 36.2 (run defense), 87.6 (coverage), 74.7 (pass rush)

Dansby definitely isn’t as spry as he used to be; as with most players, age has sapped some level of his effectiveness. Still, he has plenty to offer a team. The question would be if the Browns still see him as a piece for their future. Remember, this is a team in perpetual rebuilding mode, and they just brought in yet another new coach.

Though Cleveland currently has plenty of cap room, in situations like this there is a tendency to move of from older, expensive players who may not fit the vision of the new regime. With that in mind, someone like Dansby could easily see himself released.

Should this occur, the Packers would be wise to give him some consideration. He has become mostly a one-dimensional player — his run defense has cratered spectacularly — but his coverage abilities are still some of the best you’ll see from a linebacker.

With how derelict the ILB position has been for the Packers, bringing in someone who can legitimately hold down the spot — even if his skills are mostly based within a single aspect — will improve the defense immensely.

Next: A playmaker

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