Packers free agency: Ranking the best inside linebackers available

Who are the best free-agent inside linebackers this offseason?

If the Green Bay Packers are to target one position in free agency, it should be inside linebacker. It’s their biggest offseason need on defense. Adding a talented player with NFL experience could help them fix a need in 2020.

GM Brian Gutekunst used free agency to get help at edge rusher and safety a year ago and he signed three players who started every game and made a significant impact.

Now it’s time to sign an inside linebacker. Here are the best available free agents:

1. Cory Littleton

Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated reported that Cory Littleton is the team’s top priority at linebacker, and for good reason. He’s the best available free agent at the position and would give the Packers an upgrade at a position of need.

Littleton isn’t just the best linebacker available, but also one of the best free agents at any position. He’s better than 2019 starter Blake Martinez in coverage. Littleton has defended 22 passes over the past two seasons and has five interceptions in that time.

Signing him won’t be easy as he’ll cost big money and should draw interest around the league. But if the Packers can afford to make one blockbuster move in free agency, signing Littleton would make a lot of sense.

2. Joe Schobert

Another option could be Joe Schobert, a former Wisconsin Badger who has spent the past four seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Schobert is good in coverage and has 15 pass defenses and five interceptions in the past two seasons. He made a career-best four picks in 2019. He also forced two fumbles in each of the past two seasons. Schobert would also add some pass-rushing ability to the defense. He has eight sacks over the past three seasons.

Schobert’s price tag could be a problem for the Packers, though. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Schobert could make $10 million per year, which might be out of the Packers’ range. Schobert is a solid player who could start in Mike Pettine’s defense, but $10 million a year would be a lot to pay.

3. Nick Kwiatkoski

Nick Kwiatkoski could be a more affordable option for the Packers.

I’m sure Aaron Rodgers would be pleased if he signed as he had high praise for Kwiatkoski ahead of a game against the Chicago Bears last December.

Kwiatkoski started eight games for the Bears in 2019. He defended four passes and made an interception, while also making three sacks and as many quarterback hits.

Kwiatkoski might not be the Packers’ top priority in free agency but he’d be a solid addition at a position of need.

4. Blake Martinez

Re-signing Blake Martinez might seem unlikely, but it’s also not impossible. A fourth-round pick in 2016, Martinez is a solid player and has started all 16 games in each of the past three seasons.

He makes a lot of tackles (144 or more in each of the past three seasons), although too many are after a good gain by the offensive player. Martinez made five pass defenses and an interception over the past two seasons, and he contributed with eight sacks and nine quarterback hits.

There’s no doubting that Martinez is a solid player, but he’s not a superstar. The problem is that he might get paid like one, with Spotrac estimating his market value to be $11.6 million per year.

If Martinez doesn’t get a big deal and the Packers don’t sign another inside linebacker, there could be a chance to bring him back. But that seems unlikely at this point.