NFL Free Agency 2012: 12 Veterans the Green Bay Packers Must Chase

The Green Bay Packers have several holes that need to be filled and can address many of these needs through the 2012 free-agency market.

The team's offense had a spectacular season, but did not receive much production from the running backs. The team could be looking to replace Ryan Grant, who will be a free agent.

Green Bay's defense was historically bad and could use help at all three levels.

General manager Ted Thompson prefers to build his roster through the draft, and the Packers rarely sign a free agent. However, he showed that he is willing to spend money on the right player when he signed Charles Woodson in 2006.

The Packers have plenty of youth on the roster due to Thompson's drafting skills, and should consider adding veteran RBs and defensive players.

Here are a dozen players at those positions that would help Green Bay get back to the Super Bowl.

12. Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego Chargers

Age: 26

Previous contract: One year, $1.835 million

Mike Tolbert has all the tools to be a consummate Green Bay Packer. 

His skill set would complement the Packers perfectly. He is an effective short-yardage runner who also excels in the passing game. In addition, his experience playing fullback has made him a solid run-blocker and pass protector.

Tolbert's mindset and attitude are more factors that make him an ideal fit for Green Bay. He has been one of the San Diego Chargers' better special teams players, showing his willingness to contribute in any way possible. His teammates and coaches have touted him as a great locker room presences as well.

However, the Chargers have several other players that need to be re-signed, and they may not be able to hold on to him.

The versatile running back is still young, and could be signed at a decent price. Few free agents offer similar value to Tolbert, and the Packers should jump at any opportunity to sign him.

11. LaRon Landry, S, Washington Redskins

Age: 27

Previous contract: Five years, $41.5 million

LaRon Landry is one of the premier athletes in the entire NFL.

At 6'0" and 220 pounds, he is one of the fastest safeties in football. He recently posted pictures on his twitter (shown above) which prove he has spent plenty of time in the weight room this offseason.

Regardless of how ripped his arms have become, Landry's lower body is what causes concern among GMs. He ignored advice from the Washington Redskins' medical staff and opted not to have surgery on his injured Achilles tendon. This decision likely bought him a ticket out of the nation's capital.

The safety's athletic abilities would give the Packers a dynamic and physical presence in the secondary. This is badly needed as the unit was torched last year, giving up the most passing yards in NFL history.

While Landry would be a risky signing, he has enormous upside because of his physical gifts. 

10. Chris Myers, C, Houston Texans

Age: 30

Previous contract: Four years, $11 million

The Green Bay Packers and center Scott Wells have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations. Wells wants to be paid $7.5 million per year, and the Packers' brass is unwilling to make the 31-year-old the third-highest paid player on the team.

If Green Bay is unable to sign Wells, it will need a veteran to fill his spot in order to maintain stability on the offensive line. Houston Texans' center Chris Myers is the perfect candidate to step in.

Myers was one of the anchors on the Houston line that paved the way for Arian Foster in the last two seasons. He is enticing enough for the Packers that management met with Drew Rosenhaus, his agent, during the NFL combine. 

He is a bigger player than Wells, and would help the Packers improve their short-yardage running.

If contract negotiations with Wells fail to get anywhere, Myers would not only keep the offensive line competitive, but may be an improvement for the unit.

9. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns

Age: 26

Previous contract: Four years, $1.755 million

Peyton Hillis is another running back with a skill set perfectly suited to the Green Bay Packers offense.

At 6'2" and 250 pounds, he is a load. His power would solve Green Bay's problems in short-yardage situations, but he is also an excellent pass-catcher. During his breakout season with the Cleveland Browns in 2010, he caught 61 passes and two touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers would love to have the big back as an outlet when plays break down.

Unfortunately, his success during his first year in Cleveland got to his head and he was not mentally prepared to continue his form in 2011. The Madden curse stayed intact and Hillis had a disappointing 2012 campaign after being featured on the video game's cover.

But his underwhelming performance last season was a humbling experience, and Hillis would be wise to return to the blue-collar style that originally made him popular. A change in scenery may prompt this attitude adjustment and the running back would be an immediate boost to an already potent Packers offense.

8. Ben Grubbs, G, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 27

Previous contract: Five years, $8 million

Ben Grubbs has established himself as one of the NFL's best guards and will likely receive a significant raise before next season.

The Baltimore Ravens have shown serious interest in holding on to him, but Grubbs may still decide to test his worth in free agency.

The Green Bay Packers shuffled around their offensive line a lot last season to compensate for injuries. At points, players like Marshall Newhouse and Evan Dietrich-Smith received significant playing time. These are good players to add depth to a team, but are not starting-caliber linemen.

The team could use more depth at guard, and Grubbs is one of the best available. He may be expensive, but the lineman is in his prime and has proved that he is an elite player. If the Packers sign him, it will be money well spent. 

7. Aaron Ross, CB, New York Giants

Age: 29

Previous contract: Five years, $13.5 million

Aaron Ross has been a solid veteran presence with the New York Giants and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.

He has had some good seasons and some bad ones during his career, but has been dependable for the Giants in big games. However, six of the team's eight cornerbacks are free agents, so not everyone will be back next year.

The Packers struggles in pass coverage was a glaring problem last season, and the unit needs a ton of help. A player like Ross could help add depth and stabilize the secondary.

Ross is a reliable cornerback with veteran savvy and championship experience. If the Packers hope to return to the Super Bowl in the near future, they will need people like him on their roster.

6. Luis Castillo, DE, San Diego Chargers

Age: 28 

Previous contract: Six years, $4.36 million

Luis Castillo was once considered an elite 3-4 defensive end. But last season, he broke his leg in the first game and was sidelined for the rest of the year.

Castillo has had injury problems throughout his career, and has played all 16 games just twice since being drafted in 2005.

However, when the lineman is healthy, he brings everything the Packers need to help get the defense back on track. Castillo has great strength and power, but is also agile enough to rush the quarterback. Green Bay has lacked a versatile lineman who can play both the run and the pass since Cullen Jenkins left in free agency after the 2010 season. 

Jenkins' absence severely hurt the Pack last year, and the team will need to explore all possible options to replace him. Castillo may be a risky signing, but after 2011's dismal defensive performance, a bold move may be necessary.

5. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Denver Broncos

Age: 28

Previous contract: One year, $1.285 million

Brodrick Bunkley struggled to prove himself as a defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles, but proved to be a versatile and effective lineman in the Denver Broncos' scheme. 

The Eagles dumped Bunkley after signing former Green Bay Packer Cullen Jenkins. Once he arrived in Denver, Bunkley excelled in the new defense.

Teammate Elvis Dummervil said this about the lineman:

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"We haven't had a guy like that, not since I've been here. He's been like a monster in there."

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Bunkley is athletic enough move to the defensive end spot and his versatility would be extremely valuable to the Packers. A better defensive line would immediately help out the other two levels of defense, and Bunkley can be the key to that improvement.

4. Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 25

Previous contract: One year, $2.61 million

Brandon Carr emerged as one of the most exciting young cornerbacks in football last season, and will be a coveted player in the 2012 free-agency market.

The Kansas City Chiefs opted to use their franchise tag on wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in addition to signing cornerback Stanford Routt. Carr may look for another employer as the Chiefs showed him that he is not one of their top priorities.

Rumors say that Carr will land with the Dallas Cowboys, but no team in the NFL needs more help in the secondary than the Green Bay Packers. 

The current Packers defensive backs did not play up to par last season, and some new blood may fire up the unit. Regardless of how the other players would respond, Green Bay would be smart to add Carr, who would be starter for several years to come.

3. Andre Carter, DE/OLB, New England Patriots

Age: 32

Previous contract: One year, $2.25 million

Andre Carter surprised the NFL last year when he had 10 sacks for the New England Patriots.

The previous season, Carter had just 2.5 sacks and was subsequently released by the Washington Redskins.

The Green Bay Packers have not been able to find an outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews, and the pass rush was ineffective too often last year. The defense registered just 29 sacks in 2011, compared to 47 in 2010.

If the Packers do not address this need early in the draft, then management should bring in a veteran free agent to fill the hole. Carter proved that he could get to the quarterback last season and Ted Thompson should give him plenty of consideration.

2. Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Houston Texans

Age: 27

Previous contract: Six years, $54 million

Mario Williams has wreaked havoc on quarterbacks since the Houston Texans selected him with the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. 

Williams did not miss a step when transitioning from lineman to outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' defense. However, he tore his pectoral muscle in Week 5 and missed the rest of the season. Despite the injury, he will likely be the most coveted available player this offseason—other than Peyton Manning.

The Packers prefer to build their roster through the draft, but the team has occasionally gone after a big-time free agent. Williams could join Reggie White and Charles Woodson as the third premier player Green Bay has signed since free agency was adopted in 1993. 

Williams is a generational talent in his prime and will be a huge boost to any team. The memories of the Packers' awful defense in 2011 would quickly fade if he took the field in green and yellow next season.

1. Reggie Nelson, S, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 28

Previous contract: Five years, $9.55 million

Reggie Nelson was a key part to the Cincinnati Bengals' surprisingly successful 2011 campaign.

The free safety was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the season, then helped the Bengals finish seventh in total defense, compared to 15th the year before.

The Green Bay Packers may have to move forward without safety Nick Collins. After suffering a season-ending neck injury in Week 2, Collins may never play football again. His absence was a major factor in the defense's decline.

Nelson shares many similarities with the Packers' All-Pro. Both players are small and fast free safeties with a knack for finding the ball. The two players like to play center-field, and Nelson's ability to fill in for Collins could be the key to success for the Green Bay defense.