Packers free agency preview: Should they re-sign Kyler Fackrell?

Kyler Fackrell had double-digit sacks in 2018 but failed to match that this season. Should the Green Bay Packers re-sign Fackrell this offseason?

After selecting Kyler Fackrell in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it’s fair to say he’s failed to live up to expectations.

The concern with re-signing Fackrell is that you’d need to base it largely on his production in 2018. As Clay Matthews and Nick Perry struggled, Fackrell stepped up with 10.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits despite being considered a cut candidate by many analysts prior to the start of the season.

It was never going to be easy for Fackrell to replicate that success this season. For starters, there would be fewer opportunities with the arrival of Za’Darius and Preston Smith. Fackrell played 40 percent of the defensive snaps in 2019 compared to 59 percent in 2018, according to Pro Football Reference.

That said, he didn’t come close to his 2018 production this season, making just one sack and 10 quarterback hits.

The question now for the Packers is to determine how they can improve their depth at edge rusher. Can Rashan Gary take over Fackrell’s role in his second season as the No. 3 pass rusher? If so, would they be better off moving on from Fackrell and adding more talent behind the Smiths and Gary on the depth chart?

Outside of Fackrell’s career-best season, he’s combined for just six sacks in three years. That’s not great production from a third-round mock. For that reason, the Packers might be best off moving on and finding a replacement in the offseason. That would, however, create a need at edge rusher. While not a top priority, they’d need more depth.

As is often the case in free agency, the price of the contract will play a major factor. It’s hard to see Fackrell landing a huge deal elsewhere, but there’s every chance another team will be willing to outspend the Packers.