The Green Bay Packers finished 2017 with a 7-9 record, of
which only two games can be counted as true “first team” losses, since Brett
Hundley was at the helm for a huge portion of the season. Still, with the weapons
around him, there were exposed the flaws within this organization. The sub .500
season seemed to make the tough choices a bit easier. With that, the Packers
franchise made massive changes top to bottom, replacing the general manager,
some various scouts, and most of the coaching staff. The new general manager,
Brian Gutekunst, is expected to be more aggressive in his pursuit of free
agents than his predecessor, Ted
Thompson. So who are some of the free agents he could look at?
Prince Amukamara/CB - Last off-season, the Packers brought
back Davon House, who had his best seasons with the Packers in Dom Capers
system. However, House is now a year older, coming off a major injury, and Dom
Capers is gone. Expect the Packers to swap out House for another free agent
cornerback, and Amukamara would be a good
fit for new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s system.
Brian Cushing/ILB - The Texans released their all-time leading tackler just a few days ago, and coming without a hit to any team’s future compensation Cushing will be a desired free agent. One of those teams should be the Packers. Green bay is in need an inside linebacker to work along side Blake Martinez. Martinez has emerged as one of the league’s best linebackers. Cushing is another free agent who would fit Pettine’s system.
Ed Dixon/TE- One might ask why not Jimmy Graham here? Well,
he is aging, and his best football is very clearly behind him, plus whoever
signs him will most likely overpay for his services. Most Packers fans want to
the team to pursue free agency a little more, but the also want them to be
smart about it. Dixon would cost much less and put up more production.
Connor Barwin/OLB - The Packers need another pass rusher on
the outside. Barwin is a good fit in Pettine’s system. As a veteran, he could rotate with Clay Matthews
opposite of Nick Perry. Or, if the Packers also draft an outside linebacker
high, Matthews could move back inside and take a pay cut. Either way, it works.
Drew Stanton/QB - Brett Hundley was a bust as a back-up
quarterback. The Packers did not win three games without Aaron Rodgers because
of him. They won three games without Aaron Rodgers in spite of him. Stanton
could come in and backup Rodgers for a couple of seasons, while the Packers
develop their next backup quarterback.
