Four free agents Packers should consider signing ahead of 2022 season
GM Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers have had a rollercoaster of an off-season, to say the least.
After losing wide receiver Davante Adams, the team added four new receivers and was able to keep star veteran defenders in De’Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith, and Rasul Douglas.
Green Bay is once again in prime position to win yet another NFC North and contend for a Super Bowl. However, the latter part of that statement has been a tougher hill to climb for Matt LaFleur’s squad in the postseason.
After winning 39 games in the last three seasons, the Packers are 2-3 in the playoffs. This is a fantastic regular season team. They are dominant.
But they could use more experience and depth when it comes to playing in January. To help this team get over the playoff hump, there are some veterans out there on the free agent market that could be of great help to them.
Here are four veterans Gutekunst should consider signing with their roughly $17 million in cap space:
WR Julio Jones
After adding veteran Sammy Watkins and rookies Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure, the Packers are hoping to fill the void left by Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The current receiver corps appears to be Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Watkins, Watson, Amari Rodgers, Doubs and either Toure, Juwann Winfree, or Malik Taylor.
This group has experience, youth, and versatility. But in what all should consider a “win-now” mode for the Packers, Gutekunst should bring in some win-now players.
That is exactly what Julio Jones is.
He is a future Hall-of-Famer. He has a history with LaFleur (2015-2016 in Atlanta when LaFleur was the QB coach). Jones, coincidentally, was named to his only two first-team All-Pro squads in those two years.
Yes, he is not the player he once was. He’s had a couple of injuries the last few years and is now 33. But he and Aaron Rodgers would have an immediate rapport. They have great respect for one another.
Jones still has the ability to win one-on-one and is an incredible athlete. He wouldn’t be looking for a huge payday. All he wants is a ring to cap off one of the greatest careers of this era. The WR corps would be quite complete.
EDGE Justin Houston
The Packers locked up edge rusher Preston Smith on a new four-year contract this off-season. On the opposite edge, Rashan Gary appears to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. They are set with their starters.
But they need help with depth.
The team did draft EDGE Kingsley Enagbare out of South Carolina in the fifth round of last month’s draft. But aside from him and backup Jonathan Garvin, defensive coordinator Joe Barry doesn’t have a ton of depth behind Smith and Gary.
A veteran like Justin Houston could be a big-time addition. The four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher’s career-high of 22 sacks that he set in 2014 almost tied Michael Strahan’s all-time mark.
Houston is 33 and has played for three teams in the last four years. But Green Bay has a recent history of brining in veteran additions to help solidify the group.
They signed EDGE Whitney Mercilus last season to help shore up the unit for the late-season run.
Houston would bring experience, energy, and depth that would round this edge-rush group into form. Barry’s defense would continue to load up and become even more elite.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
The recent Super Bowl champion is coming off of an ACL tear and will most likely not be ready until mid-season at the earliest. But this signing would almost be like a trade deadline deal.
Odell Beckham would be fully healthy and ready to go for a hopeful Super Bowl run. He still has plenty of superstar abilities.
He showed it last season catching passes from Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. He certainly can still beat any cornerback one-on-one. His route-running abilities are incredible. He has a very high football IQ and also has a good relationship with Aaron Rodgers.
In four playoff games last season for Sean McVay and the Rams, OBJ caught 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Adding Beckham would take this pass-catching group to a whole new level just in time for a Super Bowl run.
EDGE Carlos Dunlap
Carlos Dunlap also fits into the Justin Houston mold of an experienced veteran that can help shape the Packers defense on the edge.
Dunlap, 33, has played in the league for 12 years. The multi-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher has 96 career sacks and 21 career forced fumbles.
Adding Dunlap to a room with Gary, Smith, and a talented prospect in Enagbare would make this defense complete like it would with Justin Houston. Dunlap’s 6-6 frame would be frightening for any opposing offensive line and QB.
As you can see, these four veterans either play receiver or edge rusher. Those are the only positions that Green Bay could possibly look towards, especially again with their roughly $17 million in cap space.
Finding a veteran receiver would complete this offense. Finding a veteran pass-rusher on the outside would increase the likelihood of this unit becoming the league’s next elite defense.
The Packers certainly have the space to add multiple players, especially on just a one-year deal. These are the kind of moves that will make the difference between winning games in January/February and losing them.