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Top Free Agents Packers Must Prioritize in NFL Offseason
December 28, 2022Top Free Agents Packers Must Prioritize in NFL Offseason
The Green Bay Packers have to make a handful of tough decisions when the NFL offseason begins.
Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Yosh Nijman, Robert Tonyan and Mason Crosby are all scheduled to become free agents.
Lazard and Nijman might be out the door because of the money other teams can offer them.
Green Bay needs to gather a list of veteran wide receivers and offensive tackles who could be solid additions to the team in an evolving offense led by Aaron Rodgers.
Unless something changes, Rodgers will still be at the helm of the offense. The Packers have drafted some young wide receivers to work with him, but they are still going to need to fill out their depth behind Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
The Packers will not be shelling out massive contracts on the free-agent market. They can find some solid mid-tier options that make them a more well-rounded team in 2023.
Mack Hollins
We are working under the assumption that Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the future at wide receiver for the Packers.
Green Bay should look into the middle of the free-agent market to find players who complement Watson and Doubs and can further help their development.
Mack Hollins has been a terrific complementary piece for the Las Vegas Raiders this season. He has a career high of 635 receiving yards, and he tied his career best of four receiving touchdowns.
Hollins will not land a massive, multi-year deal, and at 29, he could be available on a cheaper two-year deal for the Packers.
Hollins was primarily a special teams player early in his career. His skills in the passing game blossomed over the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Raiders.
He would be a smart role piece to add while Watson and Doubs continue to take on more responsibility with Rodgers in the passing game.
Juwan Johnson
Juwan Johnson has been one of the breakout stars at tight end in 2022.
He has seven touchdown receptions inside an average New Orleans Saints offense. He produced a career high of 425 receiving yards.
Johnson's red-zone ability is his biggest asset when it comes to pitching himself in free agency.
The Packers could use a big red-zone target if Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis move on after the 2022 season concludes.
Johnson's yardage total and 36 catches on 57 targets could scare some suitors away from offering a massive free-agent deal.
He is not the complete package at tight end yet, but he is working in that direction thanks to his touchdown haul in New Orleans.
Rodgers could unlock even more of Johnson's potential and give Green Bay a much more threatening offense next season.
Andrew Wylie
Andrew Wylie has been a cornerstone of the Kansas City offensive line.
Green Bay could be in the market for an offensive tackle if Nijman does not re-sign with the franchise.
Wylie started at right tackle and right guard during his five-year tenure in Kansas City.
He will command more on the market because of the success he has had in Kansas City, but that may be the route the Packers prefer over a rookie.
There is always a chance that either Nijman returns, or the Packers opt for younger protection on the right side for Rodgers in the 2023 NFL draft.
If not, Wylie should be one of the top names mentioned in the free-agent chase because of his experience blocking in a pass-heavy offense led by a superstar quarterback.