The Green Bay Packers had a rude awakening to start their preseason with a brutal 30-10 loss to the New York Jets at home. The glaring lack of depth in the secondary was among the key takeaways after safety Zayne Anderson left the game with a knee injury.
With fellow safety Xavier McKinney being sidelined with a calf injury and free-agent corner Nate Hobbs recovering from surgery, there are serious question marks surrounding the Packers' depth. While players like Bo Melton and Kalen King look to get an opportunity, this is not an issue that should be ignored, especially with the wealth of talent still available in free agency.
The Packers currently own $31 million in cap room, so let's look at some potential free agents to bolster the depth of the team's thinnest position.
The Packers could bolster their secondary by signing one of these remaining free agents
Rasul Douglas, CB
In terms of fit and familiarity with the team, there is no free agent who would fit better with the Packers than Rasul Douglas. Having spent three seasons with the team already, Douglas recorded 10 interceptions over his time here, none bigger than the game-winner against the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.
Douglas' production did not stop after being traded from the Packers mid-season, putting up a five-interception season in 2023 between the Buffalo Bills and the Packers.
However, the veteran had a down year in 2024. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed 40 receptions on 52 targets in 15 games played. If Douglas can bounce back to his best, he would provide the team with an extremely versatile corner who can play both outside and in the slot. Douglas is a relatively low-risk player who could fit right into the lineup on Day 1.
Kendall Fuller, CB
Despite coming off a knee injury that ended his season in 2024, Kendall Fuller is one of the top free agents still available.
Fuller had an injury-plagued 2024, in which he could only play 11 games. While on the field, he provided the Dolphins with solid corner play, breaking up seven passes and recording 37 solo tackles. In Fuller's last fully healthy season in 2022, he registered three interceptions and 13 passes defended.
The big concern for Fuller is that, coming off a knee injury at the age of 30, he may not be able to return to form. If the Packers can get Fuller on a cheap deal, they will be getting an experienced corner who knows how to win. Fuller was a key piece in the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win in 2020, making the game-sealing interception against the San Francisco 49ers.
Justin Simmons, S
A common trend among the best free agents available at this point is that they are coming off down years. The same can be said about Justin Simmons, who is coming off a serious slump.
According to PFF, when targeted last season, Simmons gave up 22 receptions on 34 targets and five touchdowns. He is far removed from a second-team All-Pro season in 2022, in which he recorded six interceptions and seven passes defended.
The long-time Denver Bronco recorded four second-team All-Pros in his time there and would provide some needed veteran leadership to the youngest team in the NFL. Having another veteran voice in the locker room to coach up younger players like Javon Bullard and Kalen King will not only help this season, but also the future of the team.
While it has been a couple of seasons since Simmons has been at his peak, he undoubtedly has the highest ceiling of the available options at safety.