Green Bay Packers: Potential roster cut additions in free agency
By Kenn Korb
Elvis Dumervil, OLB, Baltimore
The outside linebacker spot is a mess for the Packers right now. Clay Matthews is the only pass rusher left on the roster, and he just had his worst professional season in 2016. Nick Perry seems likely to leave after an 11 sack season which has him at the top of the free agency pass rusher class, and if he stays his injury history will continue to be a major concern.
Julius Peppers is 37 and could decide to go elsewhere to try getting a ring. Datone Jones has failed to do much both on the defensive line nor as an OLB. Jayrone Elliott is a backup at best and probably shouldn’t be brought back for anymore than the minimum (if at all).
A player like Dumervil could go a long way to fixing the issues, at least for one season.
Injuries hampered his ability to stay on the field in 2016, but he was still effective when he did line up out there. He probably won’t ever reach the 17 sacks he hit in 2015, but if he can get anywhere close to his career average (9.9 per year across 10 seasons), that would be a Peppers-like boost to give the defense at least two (assuming a healthier Matthews) reliable pass rush options.
Why would Baltimore let him go though, when he could still be effective? Because they are cash-strapped.
Even after cutting guys like Shareece Wright and Kendrick Lewis, the team only has around $16 million available and a bundle of holes to fill. A good portion of that will be for draft picks, but if they want to sign some free agents, they’ll need to make more room first. Dumervil has their 4th-highest cap hit; removing him would add another $6 million to their available cash.
January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tackle Garry Gilliam (79) blocks San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsIf he does end up getting a pink slip, Green Bay should jump at the chance to pick up the still-effective veteran.
Alternative Option: Ahmad Brooks (OLB; SF)
Brooks is far from dynamic anymore, and his best years are clearly behind him, but Green Bay could be looking at just Matthews and some potential rookies to handle the pass rushing roles at this point.
That is living on the edge in a bad way. Adding a veteran who’s been successful before to the rotation couldn’t hurt, especially with the injury and production concerns now inherent to Matthews.