Packers' Top Players to Avoid in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Green Bay Packers should be a lot more active in 2024 NFL Free Agency than they were in the 2023 free agent cycle.

Of course, that's an incredibly low bar to clear. The Packers made almost no major signings last season. A month into free agency their biggest external signing was arguably long-snapper Matt Orzech.

This year, things should be a little different. The Packers are at least under the cap (by $350,000) this season and there aren't many pressing internal free agents that demand to be re-signed. Once the Packers make some cuts, restructures or trades they should have a little free agent budget to improve their roster.

They will still need to spend their money wisely, though. While it's fun to connect the team to some bigger-name free agents they have to be fiscally responsible with how they continue to build the roster.

These free agents should be avoided either because of their projected price tag, fit with the team or positional value.

WR Mike Evans

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 17: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 34-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

It's become a trend as faithful as the changing seasons for the Packers to be linked to the top receivers in a free agent class. Since trading away Davante Adams everyone except the Packers front office has been in a hurry to link the top free agents, trade candidates and draft prospects to the Packers.

Despite the noise, the Packers have remained steadfast with a draft-and-develop approach to the position. They managed to provide Jordan Love with enough resources to succeed at quarterback this season without a flashy free agent or trade acquisition.

That's not going to stop some from believing the Packers should target a big name this offseason. After all, Christian Watson has not lived up to his hype and the Packers could still use a big-bodied outside receiver.

On first glance, Mike Evans fits that role. He's a 6'5", 230-pound jump-ball specialist on the outside who is coming off his strongest season in years with Baker Mayfield as his quarterback.

But that's the problem. He was a massive contributor for the Buccaneers this season. If they are willing to let the 30-year-old walk, it's because they know something everyone else doesn't know.

The Bucs have $37.6 million in cap space. If they want to make an Evans extension work, they will. If they don't, it should be a red flag that the durable Evans might be starting to show some signs of his age in practice and with the team's medical staff.

The Packers have a good thing going with their young corps of pass catchers. If they add to it via free agency they have to be intentional about how much risk they are willing to take.

RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Jeff Bottari/Getty Images

Josh Jacobs

The running back position is one to watch for the Packers this offseason. A.J. Dillon is set to be a free agent and Aaron Jones carries a $17.6 million cap hit that will need to be addressed somehow.

Dillon's inefficiency (3.4 yards per carry) and Jones' contract situation are bound to have some calling for the Packers to blow up their backfield. PFF already named the Packers a top landing spot for Raiders free agent running back Josh Jacobs, noting that the Packers tried to trade for Jonathan Taylor last season.

That was before Jones ripped off

However, letting go of Jones only to pay Jacobs a high-dollar deal defeats the purpose of getting rid of Jones in the first place.

Jones turned 29 in December so he's definitely entering in the danger zone for running back health and he missed six games this season due to various injuries. He was instrumental in the team's playoff upset of the Dallas Cowboys with three rushing touchdowns and 118 yards on 21 carries.

Jacobs is three years younger, but he actually has more career carries. Thanks to his featured back role with the Raiders, he has 1,305 career carries just five seasons into his career, including 340 last year when he led the league in rushing.

The Packers might want to find a way to retain Jones at a lower cap number, but either way they would be better to utilize the draft to find the his next running mate or his successor.

IOL Connor Williams, Miami Dolphins

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 23: Miami Dolphins guard Connor Williams (58) protects the pocket during the game between the Pittsburg Steelers and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Zach Tom's positional versatility was one of his biggest strengths when the Packers drafted him in the 2022 NFL draft. He played both center and tackle in college with the potential to also play guard.

Through two seasons he's made it clear that the Packers can trust him as the right tackle of the future. However, it leaves the center position unsettled. Josh Myers ranked 28th out of 36 centers graded by PFF this season. He gave up five sacks which is a lot for the position.

Connor Williams started his career as a left guard for the Cowboys, but bumped over to center when he joined the Miami Dolphins. It's really benefitted him as he was the second-highest-graded center in the league by PFF's metrics this season.

The only problem is that his career year was cut short by injury. Williams suffered a torn ACL in December, it's the second time he's suffered the injury after having his 2019 season cut short with the same injury.

Williams' ability to play combined with a weak offensive line market is likely to result in a sizable contract despite the injury. He'll only be 27 next season, but you're still betting on a lineman who is coming off the second major knee injury of his pro career.

The Packers don't have enough extra money to take on that kind of risk.