The Green Bay Packers have the cap space to make waves when free agency opens.
There are fewer marquee names in this year's free-agent class than in 2024, but the Packers should still have several opportunities to upgrade the roster by adding talented, proven veterans at areas of need.
Alongside fixing an inconsistent pass rush, the Packers need cornerback reinforcements. Jaire Alexander is as good as gone, and it's difficult to make a case for re-signing Eric Stokes or Corey Ballentine.
General manager Brian Gutekunst often combines free agency and the draft to attack positions of need, and he could take that approach at cornerback.
Fans pounded the table for the Packers to sign McKinney last offseason. It felt like the perfect move (and it was). This year, D.J. Reed is the no-brainer free agency target, and it sounds like Gutekunst agrees.
Packers reportedly have interest in free-agent cornerback D.J. Reed
ESPN's Rob Demovsky went on the Wilde & Tausch show and provided some clues into the Packers' free agency plans.
"One (agent) told me specifically, this is what he said to me: Your team is going to be a player in free agency this year," Demovsky said. "This agent was left with the impression that the Packers are going to be in the cornerback, defensive line, and receiver market."
He then specifically named one potential cornerback target, and it's the player Packers fans have wished for.
"One guy that I had heard to keep an eye on with the Packers was D.J. Reed," Demovsky added.
Reed would be a huge addition to the Packers' secondary. They may still target a cornerback in the draft, but Reed could provide instant help to a major need in Jeff Hafley's defense. He is coming off a strong season with the New York Jets. According to Pro Football Focus, he had an excellent lockdown percentage of 51.28 percent, and he broke up a Jets-best 11 passes.
Reed has made it perfectly clear that he wants to move on from the Jets, and the Packers would be the perfect landing spot.
Green Bay has the cap space to upgrade the roster in free agency. Pairing Reed with a draft pick could transform the cornerback room this offseason.