Packers: Three keys to have a successful 2019 offseason
By Jesse Fry
2. Make good decisions with roster and free agency
The Packers will have around $31.5 million in cap space this offseason before making cuts, according to Spotrac. There’s a few dead weight players the Packers could get rid of to create more space.
But of the top cut candidates, I feel Nick Perry would be the one that could be most beneficial to cut. Perry commands a high salary but has been injured too often. He has yet to play an entire 16-game season.
Bryan Bulaga still has great value to this team, as does Jimmy Graham. Bulaga is still only 29-years-old and is a stellar right tackle. Yes, he has had his injury problems, but tackles like Bulaga don’t grow on trees. Had Jason Spriggs developed the way a second-round pick is supposed to, then there could be a better argument for Bulaga to go.
Jimmy Graham is not the middle-of-the-field burner he once was, but he is still a big target that can be used as a chain-mover and red zone threat. Think more end of career Tony Gonzalez.
Surprisingly Graham was targeted only a handful of times this season inside the 20-yard line. All three of the coaches listed above know how to use a tight end and could get better results out of Graham.
Bashaud Breeland is a player I feel should be on the top of the Packers’ list of people to bring back. Breeland shouldn’t command the price he signed for last offseason with the Panthers and might be able to be had at a near minimum deal.
Being signed after the season started didn’t allow Breeland to get into game shape and he was injured during a majority of this season. With Kevin King’s injury history in his short career, it would be good to have someone like Breeland to be able to start should someone go down.
The Packers must also sign a starter or two in free agency. In a perfect world the Packers would be able to find a pass rusher this offseason. While many quality edge rushers are set to become free agents, it’s unlikely many of them will.
Before the start of the new league year, 90 percent of the edge rushers are likely to be re-signed or franchised. Teams do not let edge rushers in their prime get away too often.
So if one should happen to slip through to free agency, the Packers must set their price and go after him. Adding an edge rushing presence would do wonders for the defense.
Another area that could use a veteran presence is safety. Tramon Williams did a wonderful job filling in at free safety after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was traded, but he is not a long term answer and if a safety is brought in, Williams could move into a jack of all trades role helping the defense in many different ways.