Packers free agency rumors: Rasul Douglas ‘expected’ to hit market
From being signed off a practice squad in October to being named a Pro Bowl alternate in December, Rasul Douglas was a huge in-season addition for the Green Bay Packers.
After making a team-best five interceptions, Douglas could now be heading elsewhere in free agency.
According to FanSided’s Matt Lombardo, multiple teams are expected to be interested in signing Douglas and the Packers are not expected to be able to re-sign him.
As free agency looms, an interesting name expected to hit the cornerback market: Rasul Douglas.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) March 8, 2022
As it stands, sources don’t expect #Packers, who are nearly $30M over the cap, to be able to bring Douglas back.
Expect multiple teams in on Douglas after career-high 5 INTs. #NFL
The Packers need to clear around $30 million in cap space before the start of the new league year, and that’s just the start. They will need to free up even more cap room if they franchise tag Davante Adams before today’s deadline.
With All-Pro inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell also set to hit free agency, there might not be much cap space remaining to make a deal with Douglas.
And there should be no shortage of interest from other teams. There isn’t a single team in the NFL that wouldn’t benefit from adding more talent at cornerback. It’s a premium position and difficult to find starting-level talent.
Douglas was exactly that for the Packers in 2021, making 13 pass defenses, five interceptions, and two pick-sixes. According to Pro Football Reference, Douglas allowed just a 50% completion percentage, while quarterbacks had a passer rating of 44.5 throwing his way.
The Packers have an exciting young starting combination in All-Pro Jaire Alexander and second-year Eric Stokes, but they could lack depth next season.
Douglas, Chandon Sullivan, and Kevin King are all free agents this offseason.
If the Packers can find a way to re-sign Douglas, it would give them an excellent starting three when healthy. Maybe they still convince Douglas to stay and can agree on a long-term deal.
But that could prove to be difficult, especially if Douglas receives interest from multiple teams when free agency begins.