Green Bay Packers: Brent Grimes and 10 Defensive Free Agents Team Must Target

The Green Bay Packers need help on defense, and the 2012 free-agency market is ripe with talent. 

The 2011 Packers set an NFL record for passing yardage allowed, so defensive back will certainly be a need. 

The other two levels of defense struggled as well, and there are plenty of options at linebackers and lineman.

Brent Grimes is one of top cornerbacks available and would be a great fit in Green Bay.

Here's why Grimes, and nine other players, would be valuable additions to the Packers' roster.

10. Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta Falcons

Brent Grimes had a Pro Bowl season in 2010 and helped the Atlanta Falcons to the top seed in the NFC.

Last season, he missed four games with a knee injury and did not produce the same statistics as the previous year.

When healthy, the 28-year-old is a top-level cornerback, which is something the Packers lacked last season.

Tramon Williams had an off year and Sam Shields took a step back. To make matters worse, Charles Woodson is starting to show his age and Nick Collins may not be available. 

An upgrade in the secondary must be the primary focus this offseason, and Grimes would be a perfect fit for Green Bay. 

9. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Denver Broncos

Brodrick Bunkley has played at defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense and at defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

This type of versatile, athletic lineman was in short supply in Green Bay last season.

During the Packers' Super Bowl run, Cullen Jenkins played an instrumental part on defense because he was solid against the run, but also capable of generating a pass rush.

When Jenkins left in free agency, the team touted Mike Neal as his replacement, but the second-year man had an injury-riddled season. 

The Packers did not get an adequate amount of production from their defensive ends in 2011, and signing Bunkley would be an inexpensive way to immediately add depth at the position.

8. Antony Spencer, OLB, Dallas Cowboys

The Packers could have drafted Anthony Spencer in 2007 and now they have the chance to finally bring the outside linebacker on board.

Spencer has continually improved since his rookie year, and has put together three straight productive seasons for the Cowboys.

Since 2009, he has recorded at least 50 tackles and five sacks every season.

Clay Matthews was the only Packer OLB who could consistently get after quarterbacks, and many opponents triple-teamed him. Erik Walden did not produce as well as fans hoped he would, and the team needs new blood at the position.

Spencer would bring the type of blue-collar consistency that never goes unappreciated in Green Bay.

7. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee Titans

While Cortland Finnegan's most famous highlight features him losing a fight, the former All-Pro cornerback wins most of his battles in the confines of the game. 

Finnegan was an All-Pro in 2008 and has been a consistently good player throughout his career.

The 28-year-old plays physical football and would help Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson regain the edge they had during the 2010 season.

If Packers lose out on Brent Grimes, Finnegan would be a pleasant consolation prize.

6. Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Houston Texans

Mario Williams is a generational talent and at 27 years old, is still in his prime. A player like him does not become available often in free agency.

This is likely to make the price tag on Williams feature a lot of zeroes.

The former first-overall pick is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and the Packers would greatly benefit from his presence on the field.

However, Williams will likely get an insanely large contract, and general manager Ted Thompson does not like to spend top dollar in free agency.

If Williams pulls a Reggie White and decides to play in Green Bay, it would be one of the greatest surprises in free-agency history.

5. Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

If the Packers are looking to sign a younger player at cornerback, 25-year-old Brandon Carr would be a solid option.

Tramon Williams will be 29 by the time next season starts, and Charles Woodson will be 35. An infusion of youth into the secondary could help the unit turn things around.

Carr was a fifth-round draft pick in the 2008 draft, but has outperformed all expectations.

He developed into a consistent starter for a Chiefs defense that held the Packers' offense to just 14 points in the team's only regular-season loss.

Carr's coverage skills would provide a badly-needed boost for the Green Bay secondary. 

4. Michael Griffin, S, Tennessee Titans

Michael Griffin is a top-level free safety who can bring stability to the Packers' secondary.

As a Titan, his ball-hawking skills earned him seven interceptions and a Pro Bowl selection in 2008. He proved he is a complete player in 2010 when he recorded 108 tackles and booked a second trip to Hawaii.

While Cheeseheads hope that Nick Collins makes a full recovery from his neck injury, the All-Pro safety may not be available next year.

At 27 years old, Griffin has the necessary qualities to be a long-term replacement for Collins.

3. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals

The Green Bay Packers like big defensive lineman. At 6'8" and 300 pounds, Calais Campbell fits the description.

Campbell is an incredible athlete for a man his size, and would provide a huge boost to the Packers' pass rush.

The free agent recorded eight sacks and 72 tackles, which are extremely impressive totals for a down-lineman in a 3-4 scheme.

He is also just 25 years old and could be a valuable part of the team for a long time.

2. Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit Lions

Cliff Avril is a versatile and dynamic pass rusher who would remedy the Packers' problems at outside linebacker.

Avril is 6'3" 260 pounds, giving him prototypical size for an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He has a nose for the quarterback and would fill a glaring hole in the Packers' roster.

While other teams are chasing after Mario Williams, the Green Bay brass would be smart to swoop in quick and pick up the 25-year-old Avril.

He and Clay Matthews would form one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league. 

1. LaRon Landry, S, Washington Redskins

LaRon Landry is one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL.

The 27-year-old is 6'0", 220 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds.

That type of raw physical talent has produced some bone-crushing hits that strike fear in opposing receivers.

Landry did not always have the best fundamentals, but has steadily improved throughout his career. Going into his sixth season, he has the potential to be one of the league's best at his position.

The Packers have a need at safety, and if Landry takes the next step while with Green Bay, the team would have a good chance to return to the Super Bowl.