Hot Takes, Predictions for Packers' Most Impactful Free-Agent Signings

The Green Bay Packers had one of the most dramatic offseasons in the NFL.

Between Aaron Rodgers' new contract, the Davante Adams trade and again passing on a receiver in the first round of the draft, there's been no shortage of things to talk about.

One thing they didn't do a lot of was sign outside free agents.

The Packers were somewhat cash-strapped heading into the offseason. Offloading Davante Adams after franchise-tagging him helped to an extent, but there was a lot of talent they had to retain to remain in contention.

They did, however, round out a roster that hopes to compete for a Super Bowl with a few notable free agents.

Below, we'll run down their biggest signings and predict what kind of impact they will have.

Jarran Reed Will Wind Up with Reduced Role

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 30: Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) raises his hands in the second quarter of the AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs on Jan 30, 2022 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers needed to get better on the interior of the defensive line this season.

Dean Lowry and Kenny Clark combined for nine sacks, but no other interior lineman had more than 2.5. More notably, they had the third-worst run defense in the NFL, which can be traced back to their inability to hold the line of scrimmage up front.

The defensive line group will look different in 2022. They let Kingsley Keke and Tyler Lancaster walk in free agency and essentially replaced them with Jarran Reed in free agency and Devonte Wyatt in the draft.

It's easy to look at what Reed has done in the past and get excited. He's just one year removed from posting 6.5 sacks for the Seattle Seahawks.

Expecting those kinds of numbers again would be unwise, though. Reed is in his age-30 season, only had 2.5 sacks last season and could cede snaps to Wyatt the deeper into the season we go.

The question probably comes down to Lowry or Reed, but it's unclear if the latter is still considered an upgrade over the incumbent.

Sammy Watkins Will Have Multiple 100-Yard Games

AP Photo/Morry Gash

Green Bay Packers' Sammy Watkins runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice field Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Sammy Watkins has not had over 100 yards receiving in a game since the AFC Championship Game in the 2019 season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

He only did it twice that year. The other time was in Week 1 when he posted nine catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That is Watkins' career in a nutshell. He's always had the tantalizing talent to become a No. 1 wide receiver, but injuries and inconsistency have made those performances elusive.

For the Packers and Aaron Rodgers' sake, it would be nice to say the 29-year-old is going to put it all together in Green Bay and have a 1,000-yard season for the second time in his career.

That's just not realistic at this point, though. Watkins is nine years into his career, could never fully blossom with Kansas City when he had Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball, and it's unclear what the hierarchy of receivers is going to be with Davante Adams gone.

It is fair to say, though, that the Clemson product is going to have some games in the Green and Gold that remind you why he was a first-round pick once upon a time.

Expect Watkins to put up at least three 100-yard games. That would be more than he has had over the last three seasons.

De'Vondre Campbell Will Prove He's No One-Hit Wonder

AP Photo/Morry Gash

Green Bay Packers' De'Vondre Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice field training camp Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

One of the biggest investments of the offseason came in the form of a new contract for De'Vondre Campbell.

In 2021, the 28-year-old signed a small one-year prove-it contract. He proved everything in a big way. He was an All-Pro and the anchor in the middle of the defense with 146 combined tackles, seven for loss and held passers to 4.9 yards per target.

Campbell was everything you'd want out of a modern-day middle linebacker, and the Packers paid up for it with a five-year $50 million contract. It's a huge show of faith that they believe his first season in Lambeau was worth that much money.

It's telling, though, that they made the move. Green Bay has invested a lot in the front seven lately and its willingness to ink the Minnesota product to a relatively large deal shows it believes he can duplicate his success.

Campbell was a bit of a flop as a free-agent signing in Arizona in 2020, but it would appear the Packers are just a better fit. We can expect him to keep things going in Green Bay this season.