The first few waves of NFL Free Agency have come and gone. The Green Bay Packers have been fairly quiet after acquiring Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs on the first day and later adding Mecole Hardman. While fans are understandably frustrated, fear not, as they can still find help.
Banks is the most impactful free agent the Packers added. Assuming he stays healthy, Banks will start at left guard, with Elgton Jenkins moving to center. The team addressed positions of need by signing Hobbs and Hardman, but there is still work to do.
The Packers will likely address these positions again in the draft. Still, if Green Bay plans to use some of the remaining $31 million in cap space, these veterans could make a lot of sense.
Remaining free agents the Packers could target at positions of need
1. Za'Darius Smith, Edge
In a reunion no one would see coming, Za'Darius Smith would make a lot of sense for the Packers. On paper, anyway. Obviously, there would have to be a significant amount of fence-mending, as Smith has publicly had hard feelings since leaving Green Bay.
If they can settle their differences, Smith would provide a much-needed boost to the Packers' pass rush. Between his time with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions last season, he totaled nine sacks, which would have led the Packers in 2024.
2. Stephon Gilmore, CB
The Packers still have big questions at cornerback. Will the team mend things with Jaire Alexander, or will they find a trade partner for the beleaguered corner? While this remains to be seen, after losing Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell to new teams, the depth of proven NFL corners is pretty slim.
Enter Stephon Gilmore, a guy who has been linked to the Packers in the past, specifically in 2021 before he ended up with the Carolina Panthers. While Gilly Lock is not the same guy who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, he still has some good football left in the tank. Gilmore appeared in 15 games last year with the Minnesota Vikings, snagging an interception and nine pass defenses while making 56 tackles.
3. Asante Samuel Jr., CB
Another move that would make a lot of sense but probably cost the team a lot more than a short-term deal with Gilmore. Still, as the waves of free agency continue, and Asante Samuel Jr. remains unsigned, a one or two-year deal could make sense.
Samuel missed all but four games in 2024 after suffering a shoulder injury early in the season. He has grabbed two interceptions each of his prior three seasons and had a career-high 63 combined tackles in 2023. More importantly, in 2023, Samuel allowed only a 60.4% completion percentage, good for a passer rating of 87.4.
4. Amari Cooper, WR
Much like cornerback, the Packers still have big questions at wide receiver. New signing Mecole Hardman is mostly a returner. Still, with the loss of Christian Watson, the concussion issues of Romeo Doubs, and both Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed suffering from drops, this young group needs a veteran leader.
Amari Cooper could solve that problem. Cooper struggled statistically in 2024, playing in 14 games between his time with Cleveland and Buffalo, catching 44 balls for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Part of the blame belongs to the inconsistency at QB in Cleveland. He also switched teams midseason and dealt with a wrist injury.
In 2023, Cooper racked up a career-high 1,250 yards on 72 catches and scored five touchdowns. He could "revitalize" his career in Green Bay, serving as a veteran leader while becoming a top target for Jordan Love.
5. Matthew Judon, Edge
Pass rush remains a critical need, especially when the Packers inevitably do not reunite with Za'Darius Smith. That brings us to Matthew Judon. Judon put together a solid season after landing a trade to the Atlanta Falcons during training camp, even if it was a down year by his standards.
After missing most of the 2023 season with a torn bicep and joining a new team for 2024, Judon's numbers were down. He only managed 41 combined tackles, his lowest since his rookie year. He posted just 5.5 sacks, compared to the four he had in four games in 2023 and a career-high 15.5 in 2022.
If Judon can return to his 2022 form when he was a Pro Bowler, Green Bay would be incredibly wise to add him to their pass-rush attack.