The Green Bay Packers have north of $40 million in cap space for the 2025 season.
This gives them the freedom to retain some key pieces while adding new talent from the open market. It is not always realistic to acquire the top player available at a position because many other teams are trying to do the same thing.
However, just because you can't sign the leading candidate at a position, it doesn't mean you can't bring in talent to make an immediate impact.
Here are five realistic free agents who can help take the Packers to the next level.
Packers could level up by making one of these affordable free agency moves
1. Asante Samuel Jr., CB
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has been a solid piece of the Los Angeles Chargers defense in his four seasons there. His 2024 season was cut short after playing just four games before missing the rest of the year with a stinger.
At just 25 years old, Samuel brings experience as a starting corner, with 47 starts in his career. Samuel has accumulated six interceptions and 37 pass breakups over that span. He would compete for a starting job in a scarce cornerback room right away and likely earn one.
Cornerback is certainly a talking point for the Packers, as star corner Jaire Alexander's future is up in the air, and Eric Stokes is set to hit the open market. Although Samuel is a smaller player and struggles with his open-field tackling at times, his PFF coverage grade above 75 in both 2022 and 2023 should earn him a solid contract and would be a great help to the Packers' secondary.
2. Ryan Kelly, C
As a longtime Indianapolis Colt, Ryan Kelly has been highly regarded along that offensive line. After a 2024 season with multiple injuries, it looks as if Kelly's days with the Colts are over.
With the Packers potentially moving on from center Josh Myers, Kelly's veteran presence could fit nicely along a young offensive line. With all the quarterback turnover in Indianapolis, Kelly could like the idea of working in a system with stability at the position.
Kelly's injuries over the past two seasons are certainly worth monitoring, but the Packers could give him a contract to see what he has left in the tank. He is not as versatile as many of the other Packers offensive linemen, but his ability to be an anchor at center could be exactly what they need.
3. Khalil Mack, Edge
It became evident early in the 2024 season that the Packers were in need of another pass-rusher. It just so happens that All-Pro Khalil Mack could be hitting the open market this year.
It can't be ignored that in 2018, the Packers came close to acquiring Mack via trade before he was ultimately sent to the Chicago Bears. It is clear that those high in the Packers organization, including general manager Brian Gutekunst, think highly of Mack.
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At age 34, Mack is not young, but he is an established veteran who would immediately generate the extra juice that Green Bay needs off the edge. Mack only had six sacks in 2024 with the Chargers but still generates plenty of pressure and extra attention, which could prove to be beneficial when Rashan Gary is rushing off the opposite side. As a player who can play on all three key downs, Mack can be the answer to a lot of the Packers' questions in 2025.
4. Davante Adams, WR
Perhaps a few of you have heard this name before. It does appear that the New York Jets will release superstar receiver Davante Adams, as they would save around $30 million. The Jets recently moved on from Aaron Rodgers, further proving that Adams is likely gone.
Adams played the first eight seasons of his career in Green Bay, where he became a superstar in the NFL. In a wide receiver room with no clear-cut first option, Adams would provide some much-needed stability for quarterback Jordan Love.
Both Love and running back Josh Jacobs have expressed their desire to have Adams join them in Green Bay, with even Adams himself saying that the Packers "need some receiver help" before adding, "maybe a veteran" during an appearance on Up & Adams.
5. Paulson Adebo, CB
New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo was having an excellent start to his 2024 season before he broke his femur in Week 7. Through just seven games, Adebo had three interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
In 51 starts with the Saints, Adebo has 10 interceptions and a whopping 43 pass breakups, a mark only six other cornerbacks have achieved since 2021, when Adebo entered the league. At just 25 years old, Adebo will be a desirable player who is capable of being a starting cornerback, which the Packers could certainly use with all their question marks on the outside.
But why could a player of Adebo's caliber could be available? The Saints are almost $50 million over the salary cap as it stands, and it will be difficult for them to sign Adebo long-term. His combination of athleticism and ball skills would be beneficial to any NFL team, but especially to a Packers team that forces a lot of turnovers.