Packers' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Free Agency
After exceeding expectations in 2023, the Green Bay Packers can go into the 2024 offseason knowing that they are working with a playoff-caliber roster.
Going from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love last season, there was reason to have a little bit of skepticism that the Packers would be in the postseason. Love put those doubts to rest, playing at a high level and showing that the Packers are going to be just fine with their new quarterbacks.
That's a relief from a roster-building standpoint. The Packers still won't know what it's like to go multiple seasons without an answer at quarterback.
It also means they can focus in on a few key weaknesses that will help them take the next step in Year 2 with Love as the full-time starter.
While the draft is a key player acquisition tool, the Packers will likely add a few key pieces in free agency, especially with the salary cap unexpectedly rising by $30.6 million this year.
Interior Defender
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The interior of the defensive line was a weakness on paper going into the season. Outside of Kenny Clark, they were relying on a lot of unproven young guys to learn on the job.
The result was a middling run defense that ranked 24th in EPA allowed per rush. The young duo of Karl Brooks and Devonte Wyatt showed a lot of promise and combined for 9.5 sacks, but they got almost no pass rush from anyone else outside of Clark.
The defensive line will presumably get better. The payoff of putting that much on first- and second-year players is that they will improve with time.
Regardless, it would behoove the Packers to add one more player to their defensive line rotation. It would make sense to utilize free agency to do it because they just need a reliable option who could help make the defense more stout against the run.
This class of defensive tackles has a lot of options. With plenty of big-ticket names like Chris Jones, Christian Wilkins and Justin Madubuike, the Packers might be able to sneak in and sign a veteran to a more reasonable contract.
Shelby Harris, A'Shawn Robinson and DaQuan Jones are all strong run defenders who will fly under the radar. Harris and Jones are both on the wrong side of 30 while Robinson will be 29 this season.
Any of the three would be logical targets who make sense in a rotational capacity.
Offensive Line
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For most teams the general term "offensive line" wouldn't apply. But the Packers have shown on multiple occasions they are willing to move players around to put their best five linemen on the field.
Thanks to their penchant for identifying some versatile linemen, they have some options as to how they'll address the offensive line.
David Bakhtiari is a likely cut candidate. His ACL injuries have forced him to miss the vast majority of games over the last three seasons. The team can save $20.9 million by releasing him before March 15.
Right guard Jon Runyan is also a free agent while center Josh Myers is entering the final year of his contract.
Zach Tom can play at center, but he's also acquitted himself well at right tackle. Moving him would create another need at tackle. Sean Rhyan might be good enough to take over the right guard job and Rasheed Walker could take over at left tackle after performing admirably there last season.
Still, it feels as though the Packers should add one more free agent capable of contributing and competing for a starting spot somewhere. Drafting is an option, but the learning curve in the trenches is steep and a veteran with some utility makes more sense.
Mike Onwenu, Jermaine Eluemunor and Josh Jones are all names to keep an eye on with varying levels of experience and success with the ability to play either guard or tackle.
Cornerback
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Cornerback is a sneaky need for the Packers. Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes are good starters on the outside but both have had issues with availability.
Alexander was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team and only played seven games due to two separate injuries. Eric Stokes was out for all but three games with a foot injury that he actually suffered in 2022.
Keisean Dixon manned the slot, but is headed toward free agency.
Traditionally, the Packers have been aggressive in drafting defensive backs, but they also have a need at safety and this is a relatively thin group of cornerbacks.
Quinyon Mitchell and Kool-Aid McKinstry are the only two corners in the top 32 of our latest big board.
There are some names to target on Day 2, but the Packers potentially have to find a starting slot and a reliable backup in the mold of Rasul Douglas, who they traded away during the regular season.
Adoree' Jackson and Kenny Moore II are both vets whose contracts should come in under the top free agents in the class. Moore would be a major boon to the secondary for his ability to play in the slot.
Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.
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