Green Bay Packers: Grades for free agency signings

Billy Turner, OL

Four years, $28 million including $9 million signing bonus

Journeymen are usually described as the older players in the league that have bounced around a few teams, and Billy Turner is on the verge of fitting that description. So far, Turner has played for the Dolphins, Ravens, and most recently, the Broncos, making the Packers his fourth team going into his sixth year in the NFL.

An interesting history with a massive build, Turner measures in at 6-foot-6 and weighs 315 pounds. He shows aggression, well-coached technique, and a willingness to look for work after his assignment is finished.

In Denver’s last-second win against the high-flying Los Angeles Chargers, Turner performed well enough to make Pro Football Focus’ All-Week 11 team. When you’re dealing with the likes of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, that’s high praise.

Turner has demonstrated his ability to play at any position along the offensive line during his travels, but it’s possible Gutekunst wants to play him exclusively at guard, where the Packers struggled mightily in 2019.

Believing in this move requires looking past the price tag for just a moment, and wondering if Turner can give Aaron Rodgers just one extra second every play. Because we all know what Rodgers can do with just a little more time.

Grade: B-

Brian Gutekunst, in the middle of his second offseason as the GM of the Green Bay Packers, has continued to impress, and has raised eyebrows all over the league. Without the Colts salary cap, without the draft capital and media circus of the Raiders, without the coveted warm weather, he has brought in a handful of talent before the end of March.

Alone, on a team that might not be ready for playoff contention, any of these players might have looked like a silly idea. But all together, Green Bay suddenly has the potential to have a top-10 defense under Mike Pettine, and the draft picture, while hazy from the outside, must be clearing up by the hour at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

The Packers are rising up fast, and a big part of why happened within the span of a day.