Packers: Full list of 2022 restricted, exclusive-rights free agents
A look at the Packers’ restricted and exclusive-rights free agents in 2022.
The Green Bay Packers, without much cap space, have some big decisions to make in free agency.
It starts with their unrestricted free agents, but they will also have to decide which restricted and exclusive-rights free agents they want to bring back.
So, what’s the difference?
With restricted free agents, the players can still negotiate a deal with another team. If the offer is accepted, the Packers would have the opportunity to match it. If the Packers extend a qualifying offer to an exclusive-rights free agent, they are unable to negotiate with other teams.
Here’s a list of the Packers’ restricted and exclusive-rights free agents in 2022, per Over The Cap:
Packers restricted free agents 2022
- Allen Lazard, WR
Packers exclusive-rights free agents 2022
- Yosh Nijman, T
- Chauncey Rivers, DE
- Jake Hanson, C
- Dominique Dafney, TE
- Krys Barnes, ILB
- Henry Black, S
- Randy Ramsey, EDGE
- Malik Taylor, WR
Unless another team offers Lazard a big contract that Green Bay can’t match, there’s probably a good chance he’ll return in 2022.
There are a number of easy decisions to be made with the exclusive-rights free agents.
Yosh Nijman started eight games at left tackle this past season, and he played well. It was somewhat surprising Nijman didn’t start in the divisional round with David Bakhtiari out. Nijman should be back in 2022.
Dominique Dafney featured in 10 games for Green Bay this season, starting two of them. With Robert Tonyan a free agent and also recovering from a torn ACL, the Packers could need Dafney in 2022. He should be back.
Krys Barnes has started 23 games for Green Bay over the past two seasons. De’Vondre Campbell is an unrestricted free agent. Bringing back Barnes should be an easy call.
The same is true of backup safety Henry Black, who played in every game this season.