Packer Perspective: Cut candidates the Packers could target in free agency
Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson rarely dips his toe into free agency, but when he does, it’s usually to go after a player recently cut by his former team.
Julius Peppers is remembered as a “splash” signing by Thompson three years ago, but it’s easy to forget the Chicago Bears parted ways with the Pro Bowl pass rusher just five days earlier to avoid absorbing a $20 million cap hit.
The Packers signed Letroy Guion the same spring, who had been released by the Minnesota Vikings. Thompson added tight end Jared Cook last March, who, you guessed it, was cut by the Los Angeles Rams.
Thompson is picky when choosing outside free agents, and he likes them on the cheap. By signing players who have been cut, there’s also no risk of affecting the following year’s compensatory pick outcome, as this doesn’t count against the formula. Bingo.
It makes sense, then, that scouring the league for free-agents-to-be might be a useless exercise. Instead, we should hone in on players potentially on the chopping block at their current team. Jared Cook was considered a replaceable asset by the Rams last year. Other than the dramatic change in temperature between Los Angeles and Green Bay, Cook is probably quite pleased he was cut.
Just as the Packers added veteran help at positions of need in 2014 and 2016, they may do so again. This time there are needs at cornerback and linebacker. Longtime Packer Sam Shields was cut last week after a concerning history of concussions, and his departure leaves a void in the secondary.
A name to keep a close eye on is the Giants’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Even at 30-years-old, Rodgers-Cromartie put together an excellent campaign in 2016. He shifted into the slot for much of the season, but this was due to the Giants being top-heavy at the position more than anything. According to Dan Duggan of NJ Advance Media, Rodgers-Cromartie “played well inside, but he recorded all six of his interceptions while playing outside when Jenkins or Apple were hurt.”
So why would the Giants release him?
It comes down to cash. DRC turns 31 in April and will account for $8.5 million of the team’s cap, per Spotrac. That’s a lofty fee to pay for your third cornerback. They would save $4.5 million by releasing the veteran. In what is projected to be a deep draft class at the position, New York may decide to free up some cash and select a rookie to team up with Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple.
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If they do cut ties with Rodgers-Cromartie, it’s entirely possible interest around the league over-inflates his value. Thompson won’t overpay. But given his age, the Packers might be able to lure him in at a reasonable deal. Despite suiting up in two Super Bowls with the Cardinals and Broncos, DRC is still chasing a ring. In Green Bay, he’d have another shot at achieving this goal.
Closer to home, the Packers could benefit from making a move for Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston, should they move on from the pass rusher they signed to a five-year, $35 million contract in 2014. Houston was one of the league’s prized free agents three years ago, but injuries derailed his career.
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A disappointing, one-sack season was ended after just eight games in 2014, Houston tearing his left ACL while celebrating a sack. In a blowout to New England, no less. He bounced back in 2015 with eight sacks, and importantly the former Raider stayed healthy. But another torn ACL, this time to his right knee, ended his 2016 campaign just two games in.
With two years remaining on his contract, the Bears would make a saving of just over $5 million by cutting Houston. Chicago boasts young, talented pass rushers including last year’s ninth overall pick Leonard Floyd, so general manager Ryan Pace may feel it’s time to let their 29-year-old injury prone flop go.
Due to Houston’s struggles to stay on the field, there’s a chance he’s available dirt cheap. If he can avoid injury, the veteran would add much-needed experience to Dom Capers’ defense, and he can contribute in the sack column. Houston posted a career-best eight sacks just two years ago in Chicago.
More of a long shot could also come inside the NFC North. A major piece of Detroit’s playoff-bound team in 2014 was DeAndre Levy working at the heart of the defense. He’s barely played since, however, missing all of 2015 and suiting up just six times in 2016. Levy turns 30 in March, and there are concerns whether he’ll ever return to his 2014 level of play. The Lions need to make a decision, as the former second-team All-Pro is set for an $8.39 million cap hit, according to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.
But as Rothstein writes, the Lions would actually save more money ($5.99 million compared to $1.99 million) by releasing him after June 1. Consider it unlikely Levy is let go before then.
Julius Peppers’ expected departure means the Packers lose some experience to their pass rush. Enter Connor Barwin, whose time in Philadelphia could be coming to an end. Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com expects the 30-year-old to be cut.
"“A Pro Bowler a couple years ago, a tremendous locker room guy, durable, dependable, productive. All that said, Barwin will go, and that’s what makes this such a tough business. Barwin just does not fit in this 4-3 defense, and at 30 years old and with an $8.35 million cap figure, it doesn’t make sense to keep him when releasing him will create only $600,000 in dead money.”"
Playing in a 4-3 wouldn’t be an issue in Green Bay, where he could flourish at outside linebacker in Capers’ 3-4. The veteran posted 14.5 sacks in 2014 and finished with at least five in all but one season since 2011. If the Eagles move on, Barwin would potentially enter the Packers’ radar.
Time will tell if any of these players will be cut from their current teams. Cap casualties are beginning to take place around the league, and many more will follow.
Any hopes of Thompson going “all-in” during free agency might depend on how many released veterans can help the Packers on a team-friendly deal.