Second-Wave Free Agents the Packers Should Consider

The first wave of big-name free agents has come and gone (Albert Haynesworth, Chris Canty, Bart Scott), but that doesn't mean there isn't a promising bunch of second tier guys still on the market.

Here are some of the candidates that would fit well within the Green Bay Packers' needs next season.

Keep in mind—Green Bay is switching to a 3-4 defense next season.

Igor Olshansky

At 6'6", 315 pounds, Olshansky is the perfect size to play defensive end in the 3-4—something the Packers desperately need. But what's even better, Olshansky has four years of experience playing the system in San Diego.

The former second-round pick is coming off a disappointing season with the Chargers, but he has been a part of some very formidable San Diego defensive lines.

Olshansky is also one of the league's strongest players, having set the University of Oregon bench pressing record at 505 pounds, and having the top lifting numbers at the 2004 NFL combine.

Kevin Burnett

Burnett, 26, is possibly one of the most interesting free-agent prospects. For one, he's never been a starter in the NFL—but that can be attributed to playing behind DeMarcus Ware in Dallas his whole career.

Yet Burnett brings a rare combination of size (6'3", 245 lbs) and speed (4.60 40 yard dash) that could help solve the Packers outside linebacker needs.

His experience in Dallas' 3-4 system, and smarts (30 on the Wonderlic) would make the transition into the Packers new system fairly easy.

Mike Adams

While the Packers most glaring need isn't safety, it appears Green Bay has some interest in the Mike Adams—the Cleveland Browns' 27 year old free agent.

Adams is drawing interest because of his past experience in the 3-4 with Cleveland and San Francisco, and partly because of the uncertainty of Atari Bigby next season.

Adams has had some nice seasons, including 2005 where he intercepted four passes and scored one touchdown. He would add needed depth at the safety position, and his knowledge of the system would help smooth the transition.

Mike Wright

Wright is another player who has 3-4 experience. While he was only used as a backup in New England last season, he still rattled off 2.5 sacks and caused two fumbles.

He would be used as a defensive end (6'4", 300 lbs), and could shine if given the opportunity to play more. He'd also come at a relatively cheap price, and we all know how Thompson likes those kinds of players.

Wright is 27 years old.

Anthony Weaver

Weaver may just be my favorite defensive end available for Thompson to sign. At 28 years old, Weaver is still fairly young, and while he busted playing in the 4-3 in Houston, he had his best seasons in Baltimore, playing in the 3-4.

The former second-round pick racked up 13.5 sacks in three seasons in Baltimore before signing a large contract in Houston.

Chances are he could be had for fairly cheap as well, and he would add a potential playmaker with 3-4 experience to the Packers' defensive line.

Marques Douglas

Douglas has been bounced around lately, but at almost every stop he's encountered a form of the 3-4 defense.

He's spent two seasons in Baltimore, and posted seasons of 4.5 and 5.5 sacks in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

At 31, Douglas may be too old for Thompson to consider, but for a bargain price, he would be a solid addition for our evolving 3-4 defense.

William Joseph

Joseph is another interesting prospect.

As a former first-round pick from the University of Miami (FL), Joseph possesses all the physical tools necessary for being a top defensive end in the 3-4. However, something has always seemed to lack, and, as a result, he's been bounced around the league.

The Packers could take a chance on Joseph, as he seems to be a low-risk, high-reward kind of player.

Angelo Crowell

Crowell has been a good player, but has struggled to stay on the field recently. In 2007, he was sidelined with a torn biceps, and, in 2008, he required surgery on his knee that ended his season.

When on the field, however, Crowell has been a solid outside linebacker. He's experience in the 3-4 is limited, but his ability and football smarts should allow him to switch over without any problems.

The 27 year old has seven career sacks and five interceptions.

Justin Miller

Miller may be a surprising entry to this list, but the Packers were ranked dead last in kickoff returns last season. Adding Miller would help alleviate that problem.

Miller made the Pro Bowl in 2005 as a kick returner, and has four career returns for touchdowns.

In addition, Miller displayed promise as a corner coming out of college, but his main impact would be as a deadly kick returner.