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.
