The 2026 NFL Draft is over, but not before the Green Bay Packers shored up a few of their weaknesses, like cornerback and defensive tackle. However, the club didn't check all the boxes of its offseason needs.
Green Bay still has holes, including at some of football's most premium positions. Questions of who will back up franchise quarterback Jordan Love or bell-cow running back Josh Jacobs remain. And of course, superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons' comeback from a torn ACL looms large; is his running mate on the roster, though?
There are more moves to be made for the Packers, and free agency is a tool they can use to fill in the aforementioned gaps. While the pickings are slim right now, several valuable veterans are available, such as the three guys named below.
3 free-agent veterans the Packers would be wise target after the 2026 NFL Draft
Jeremy McNichols, RB
McNichols might not be the most accomplished back the Packers can sign. Yet, his versatility fits exactly what the Packers are missing behind Jacobs.
Used almost exclusively as a special teamer for his first few years in the league, McNichols has developed into a versatile offensive player. He's an efficient, explosive runner who can make defenders miss in space. Nevertheless, a strong third-down repertoire may be the former Boise State star's greatest asset, at least for the Packers.
Over the past two seasons, the Washington Commanders trusted McNichols in pass protection and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He'd be able to take a good chunk of those responsibilities off Jacobs' shoulders, which helps limit the wear and tear on the latter's body.
Tyrod Taylor, QB
It's hard to envision the Packers going into Week 1 of the upcoming campaign with journeyman Desmond Ridder and 2025 sixth-round pick Kyle McCord. They were eyeing LSU's Garrett Nussmeier before the Kansas City Chiefs took him. And so, one look at the signal-callers on the open market (excluding franchise legend Aaron Rodgers) makes Taylor the lesser of evils.
Jimmy Garoppolo is ineffective at this stage of his career, has notable durability concerns, and is reportedly mulling retirement. Much of the same can be said about 37-year-old Russell Wilson or Teddy Bridgewater. There's also a hodgepodge of unheralded reserves, namely the John Wolfords, Cooper Rushes, and Brett Rypiens of the world.
Taylor, AKA T-Mobile, is a proven dual-threat with experience (62 starts). He completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 779 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions across six appearances with the New York Jets last season. The 36-year-old can step in, command the huddle, and keep the machine running smoothly if Love isn't able to suit up for the Packers.
Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE
Do the Packers expect Penn State standout Dani Dennis-Sutton to be an instant-impact rookie? If not, it stands to reason that they'd want to add someone with Clowney's pedigree and production.
Grabbing Dennis-Sutton in Round 4 has the potential to age beautifully for the Packers in due course. He can eventually be the Robin to Parsons' Batman. Nonetheless, a Green Bay squad with Super Bowl LXI aspirations can use another reliable option on the edge, and Clowney does the trick.
Clowney has come up as an ideal target for the Packers, and it's easy to see why. He's been at his best in a 3-4 scheme, which new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is implementing, and would form a dynamic duo with Parsons. The 2014 No. 1 overall selection can get to the quarterback at a high level and is widely considered an elite run defender.
Across 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, Clowney recorded 41 tackles (12 for loss), 10 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
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