3 available free agents the Packers could sign before Week 1

The Green Bay Packers have the youngest roster in the NFL, but also one of the best and deepest. As we saw last season, this roster is ready to compete for a spot in the NFL's final four, but it's going to take more than just the current 53 players on the active roster to get there.

There are players available in NFL free agency who could still upgrade this Packers roster, and thanks to the NFL's flexible rules with the practice squad, players available right now don't even have to be signed to the active roster. The Packers could stash up to six vested veterans on the practice squad and call them up as they see fit.

With that in mind, any available free agent should be considered "on the table" for general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur.

Which ones could the Packers look into signing before Week 1?

Packers should consider signing these free agents before Week 1

1. David Bakhtiari, offensive tackle

We've mentioned it on a variety of occasions throughout the course of the offseason, but the timing for David Bakhtiari to return to the Packers is pretty perfect on paper. The Packers could use the veteran depth, and Bakhtiari obviously still wants to play.

The Packers could bring Bakhtiari back into the fold with the understanding that he will only be playing on an "as-needed" basis, but there's no reason to not do this when you can hoard veterans with NFL experience on the practice squad.

The Packers currently don't have any tackles on the practice squad, so this makes more and more sense the more you dig into it.

2. Micah Hyde, safety

How about another reunion option? How about another player finishing things off where he started?

The Packers letting go of Micah Hyde a handful of years ago is one of the more regrettable mistakes this franchise has made roster-wise, as Hyde left the Packers and became a tremendous and consistent playmaker for the Buffalo Bills. Hyde was let go by the Bills this offseason and had two interceptions along with seven passes defensed in 14 games last season.

With the option of the practice squad available, if only temporarily, adding veteran depth like this would be huge for Green Bay. Even with the presence of Xavier McKinney, the Packers are extremely young at the safety position, and Hyde could bring some valuable big-game experience.

3. JC Jackson, cornerback

Between the 53-man roster and the practice squad, the Packers currently have eight cornerbacks total. Over the course of a 17-game season -- as the Packers found out the hard way last year -- even that might not be enough.

Both Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander have struggled with availability in recent years. The Packers at least have some tested and proven depth, but you can never have too many good corners in the NFL. If the price is right, someone like JC Jackson with inside and outside experience could make a lot of sense.

Jackson got his hands on the ball a ton as a member of the New England Patriots, and while he's struggled with his own health and off-field issues in recent years, the fact that he's still available before Week 1 is a little surprising. He's only 28 years old and has elite ball skills.

When Jackson is right, he's got the ability to be a game-changer. The Packers could add him on a low-risk deal and see what happens.

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