2019 Free Agency Thread

[wist43]

I'd go with the backup plan. It would take giving up their 3rd round pick to move from 12 to 7. I'd gladly take Polite or Ferrell and keep the pick.

I like Polite over Ferrell b/c of his speed rush... can't coach that. I like Ferrell too though.

White is a tier up from Polite though. If I thought White and Polite were in the same tier I'd agree with you, but White is a tier above; hence, the justification to jump up and get him.

If the Packers scouting is anything like the past 2 decades though, they don't even know White is alive.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think White has a lot of potential. I don't know what the Packers would be willing to give up to move up to secure drafting him. I think he is a better prospect than Roquan Smith who went 8th overall. He simply a bigger athlete than Smith and can probably run the same. Smith had an excellent rookie season and White could have the potential to play at an even higher level.

Hell this might a good draft to trade back and get as many 2 and 3 round picks as you can. Seems like on paper the second and third round might have some big potential, but we really won't know much until after the combine

[Fritz]

No... you're not looking at it correctly. Safeties aren't going to make your pass rush better - maybe tack on a couple of coverage sacks per year; whereas, pass rush makes all 3 levels of your defense better.

And my solution to our LB woes is not "throwing a ton of players at a problem, it is identifying 3 problem areas and targeting them with 3 quality, talented players.

Barett, Smith - and throw in Barr as an "and/or" guy - are proven guys that can be had affordably; and, White is an outright stud.

Be wise, follow my advice, and sit back and watch our front 7 crush the NFC North

Well, okay. I can see your logic there. I do think, though, that it's really the linebackers that need the upgrading. Maybe one defensive lineman, though.

[Deputy Nutz]

I really like what Kenny Clark brings to the table. What I look for in a 3-4 nose is some one that maintains the line of scrimmage and makes the running back change direction. I don't expect them to be in the backfield every play or being a block destroyer when he is taking on 650 pounds of offensive linemen. Daniels is a bit overrated in my opinion but he is still a quality NFL defensive lineman. The Packers under Petine and Capers like to go with only two prototypical linemen in their Dime and Nickle package and I struggle with this as I think it is predictable where the 4th rusher will be coming from. I know JJ Watts don't show up under the Christmas tree every year but having that 5 technique pass rusher really makes a 3-4 defense work. In reality it is probably the hardest athlete to find and develop. Watt, Peppers, and White. I am sure there are others like a Strahan, but he was even undersized compared to those other three. Peppers is even more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 end, but you see my point.

So teams look to get their edge rushers in as OLB in a 3-4 because they are easier to find. The Packers have a severe lack of production from that position for the past 5 years and the 3-4 will simply not work unless those two guys are getting pressure. 2014 was the last time Matthews had double digit sacks. That simply doesn't work if he was the best pass rushers the Packers had to offer.

So free agency. What can the Packers do to bolster their defense. Some how we here have boiled it down to safety or OLB. For one that's nonsense, but if you only had one position to go after you would have to look at linebacker. The Packers have to find a way to consistently hurry the QB.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Any one mention Adam Humpries as an upgrade over Cobb? Likely be cheaper and lots of upside considering he produced in the tampa scheme.

I don't think Humphries will be cheaper. I think what he gets may surprise some people. There's also Golden Tate and Jamison Crowder, so some guy slot guys out there.

[ThunderDan]

I really like what Kenny Clark brings to the table. What I look for in a 3-4 nose is some one that maintains the line of scrimmage and makes the running back change direction. I don't expect them to be in the backfield every play or being a block destroyer when he is taking on 650 pounds of offensive linemen. Daniels is a bit overrated in my opinion but he is still a quality NFL defensive lineman. The Packers under Petine and Capers like to go with only two prototypical linemen in their Dime and Nickle package and I struggle with this as I think it is predictable where the 4th rusher will be coming from. I know JJ Watts don't show up under the Christmas tree every year but having that 5 technique pass rusher really makes a 3-4 defense work. In reality it is probably the hardest athlete to find and develop. Watt, Peppers, and White. I am sure there are others like a Strahan, but he was even undersized compared to those other three. Peppers is even more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 end, but you see my point.

So teams look to get their edge rushers in as OLB in a 3-4 because they are easier to find. The Packers have a severe lack of production from that position for the past 5 years and the 3-4 will simply not work unless those two guys are getting pressure. 2014 was the last time Matthews had double digit sacks. That simply doesn't work if he was the best pass rushers the Packers had to offer.

So free agency. What can the Packers do to bolster their defense. Some how we here have boiled it down to safety or OLB. For one that's nonsense, but if you only had one position to go after you would have to look at linebacker. The Packers have to find a way to consistently hurry the QB.

I read that as TJ Watt the first time through and was laughing pretty hard at your assessment. Then I thought Nutz ain't that dumb and reread and saw JJ Watt.

[run pMc]

Any one mention Adam Humpries as an upgrade over Cobb? Likely be cheaper and lots of upside considering he produced in the tampa scheme.

I've been on the Humphries bandwagon as a vet who could replace Cobb, but I'm hearing he might command quite a bit in FA. Crowder might be an ok bandaid. Cobb has been a Bears-killer and a good teammate but he's pretty beat up so I'm ok with them letting him walk.
It wouldn't shock me if they drafted a slot WR (i.e., taking a late round flyer on someone like Penny Hart or Olamide Zaccheaus), but I also wonder about having positive veteran influences on the youngun's in the WR room. Maybe last year made them grow up, maybe Davante and G-Mo can be strong enough mentors...we'll see. Antonio Brown would not be the answer.

[Bretsky]

I can't imagine GB would pay Cobb what he's due to make; that would just be imcompetency

I'll take Humphries over Cobb even money. Much better route runner

[pbmax]

There was a report of Packers being ready to move on from Cobb. But Gute denied any decisions have been made yet today at the Combine.

[pbmax]

Does anyone want Wilkerson back and starting?

[Patler]

Does anyone want Wilkerson back and starting?

Back? Yes. He is exactly the type of experienced veteran that so many criticized TT for not bringing in. I've read several articles that reported Wilkerson was a very good addition to the locker room, and that he hung around GB and the team for the whole season, providing very positive input.

Starting? I have no opinion on that because he didn't play enough last year for me to form an opinion about what type of contributions he can make on the field. I want him back so he has an opportunity to demonstrate his value.

[Joemailman]

I would like Wilkerson back as part of the DL rotation. Packers only have 2 DL on the field much of the time, so Clark and Daniels are really your starters. Although before he got hurt, he and Daniels were pretty much getting the same number of snaps. I'd like to see him back, although Packers probably won't overpay due to the emergence of Lowry, Lancaster and Adams.

[pbmax]

One of the differences between Pettine and Capers is that Pettine, when he wants to be heavy in nickel, moves to a 3-3, just as wist asked for.

Until injuries took over, that was Clark, Daniels and Wilkerson. If anyone has snap numbers by formation, I would love to know how often they were in that.

[Deputy Nutz]

He is still one of the better DTs in free agency and his season was cut pretty short in 2018. I think he can be a good rotational piece.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

I don't think Humphries will be cheaper. I think what he gets may surprise some people. There's also Golden Tate and Jamison Crowder, so some guy slot guys out there.

I’m all for signing Cole Beasley.