NFL Free Agents Who Can Still Help the Packers’ Playoff Push

Heading into Week 12, it's fair to wonder just how good the Green Bay Packers can be in 2020. After appearing to be a dominant team early in the season, Green Bay has lost two of its last four games and struggled to outlast the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.

The Packers are a playoff team, and their remaining regular-season schedule isn't particularly daunting—the Tennessee Titans are the only opponent with a winning record. However, things are going to get a lot tougher in the postseason, and the Packers may want to prepare by scouring free agency for reinforcements.

Because of the expansion of practice squad eligibility in 2020, there aren't many high-end players left on the open market. That doesn't mean, though, that the Packers cannot find help in free agency. Here, we'll examine three players who are still available and who could help Green Bay make a playoff run.

WR Taylor Gabriel

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The Packers have arguably the best wideout in the game in Davante Adams, but they have struggled to find a reliable second option. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has filled that role at times, but a costly fumble in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts may have caused the Packers to lose some confidence in him—even if they publicly say otherwise.

"I've got all the confidence in the world in him," head coach Matt LaFleur said, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

If the Packers are eager to get Aaron Rodgers some more receiving help, free agent Taylor Gabriel could be a perfect target. He has the sort of speed that can stretch the field, pull safety help away from Adams and open up the running game.

According to former teammate Anthony Miller, Gabriel was clocked at 24 miles per hour in a Bears practice in 2018.

Gabriel's speed cannot be coached, and it could provide a huge boost if the Packers are willing to sign him.

LB Alec Ogletree

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Green Bay's run defense has been arguably an even bigger issue than receiver depth this season. While the Packers rank a respectable 13th against the run, they also rank 21st in yards per attempt allowed. Bolstering the linebacker corps would make a lot of sense ahead of the postseason.

Alec Ogletree could be the perfect linebacker target for Green Bay. He's a high-volume tackler with the ability to make impact plays. He appeared in two games with the New York Jets earlier this season and logged three tackles and three tackles for loss in those games.

Ogletree appeared in 13 games with the New York Giants last season and amassed 80 tackles, a sack, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.

The Packers could potentially bring in Ogletree as a rotational piece at linebacker who can spell starters like Christian Kirksey, specifically in rushing situations.

Edge Clay Matthews III

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Pass-rushing help isn't the biggest priority for the Packers right now, but it's worth noting that the pass rush hasn't been as productive as it was a year ago. In 2019, the Packers amassed 41 sacks as a team. This year, Green Bay is on pace for roughly 34 sacks.

When a team has an opportunity to improve its pass rush ahead of the postseason, it usually makes sense to do so.

Green Bay could do exactly that by bringing back longtime starter Clay Matthews III. Though he is 34 years old, Matthews has the potential to make a significant impact. In 13 games with the Los Angeles Rams last season, he produced 8.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 28 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Reference.

Matthews last played for the Packers in 2018, the first season with Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator. He should still be familiar with some of Pettine's schemes, as well as much of Green Bay's defensive personnel.

While a pass-rusher isn't Green Bay's biggest need, Matthews may have the easiest time of any free agent adapting to the defense and making an early impact.