Green Bay Packers Free Agency: What the 2011 NFL Draft Means for Free Agents

Green Bay Packers Free Agency: What the 2011 NFL Draft Means for James Jones, Cullen Jenkins and the Rest of the Packers Free Agents

The 2011 NFL draft is over, and GM Ted Thompson has selected the newest bunch of Green Bay Packers. 

Thompson has brought in a talented class, but that also means that some of the Packers 12 free agents could be on the move. 

Let's break down the draft and how it affects the Packers' free agents. 

DE Cullen Jenkins

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 12: Defensive end Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers smiles in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the NFC divisional playoff game on January 12, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo b

Pick at his position

Lawrence Guy (No. 233 overall)

What it means for Jenkins

The selection of Guy likely says very little for the future of Jenkins.

The Packers didn't make an effort to re-sign him during the period where they typically lock up their coming free agents, and that says more than a seventh round draft pick.

Unfortunately, Jenkins is going to get the chance to test the free agent market, and when he does, he'll find an offer that trumps anything the Packers can offer. 

Let's just hope it isn't in Chicago, Atlanta or another playoff worthy team from the NFC.

WR James Jones

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in

Pick at his position

Randall Cobb (No 64)

What it means for Jones

There was an outside chance that the Packers were going to bring Jones back before the draft, but taking Cobb in the second round all but eliminates that chance. 

Like Jenkins, Jones will get a chance to take offers during free agency. I'd be shocked if a team desperate for receiving help didn't offer Jones starting money to be their No. 2. 

He's good enough to start, and he wants that opportunity. The selection of Cobb just reiterates that the Packers have a plan for replacing Jones when he does in fact leave.

G Daryn Colledge

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Daryn Colledge #73 of the Green Bay Packers awaits the start of play against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59-24. (Phot

Pick at his position

Caleb Schlauderaff (No. 179)

What it means for Colledge

The Packers didn't draft Schlauderaff to replace Colledge in 2011, but this pick suggests that the Packers are preparing for an offensive line without him moving forward. 

Colledge has been steady but unspectacular during his time with Green Bay, and I'd guess that there is a team that will overpay him to be a starter next season. 

Schlauderaff was a pick to replenish the depth within the Packers interior offensive line.

RB Brandon Jackson

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs down field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Pick at his position

Alex Green (No. 96)

What it means for Jackson

As much as Green's selection screams the end of Jackson's stay in Green Bay, I'm not ready to commit to that idea just yet. 

I think the Packers could possibly keep four running backs on the roster next season with their top two—Ryan Grant and James Starks—having injury histories. 

Jackson isn't going to find much on the free agent market, and the Packers would still use him in third down packages. Green is talented and reminds me of Dorsey Levens, but don't count out Jackson quite yet.

FB John Kuhn

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers runs against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Pick at his position

N/A

What it means for Kuhn

He's still a hero in Green Bay, and with no picks to replace him in this draft, Kuhn should be re-signed for 2011.

He won't be asked to play running back next season, but Kuhn has the best combination of rushing, blocking and receiving skills for the Packers' full back position. 

I'd be shocked if Kuhn was playing elsewhere next season.

S Atari Bigby

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Atari Bigby #20 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Gett

Pick at his position

N/A

What it means for Bigby

There was a part of me that thought the Packers would take a flier on a safety late in the draft. 

But even though they didn't take one, Bigby's days with the Packers are still numbered. 

His injury history limits his value, and both Charlie Peprah and Morgan Burnett are better options opposite Nick Collins. Bigby will be playing elsewhere in 2011.

G/C Jason Spitz

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Guard Jason Spitz #72 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Pick at his position 

Caleb Schaluderaff (No. 179)

What it means for Spitz

Spitz has versatility along the offensive line, but his career path is obviously headed downwards.

Once a 45-game starter from 2006-'09, Spitz hasn't started a game since. 

Schlauderaff and 2010 undrafted free agent Nick McDonald look ready to take over for his spot on the depth chart.

K Mason Crosby

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Kicker Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after Eric Weems #14 of the Atlanta Falcons scored a 10-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the seocnd quarter during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Do

Pick at his position

N/A

What it means for Crosby

There was growing momentum for the Packers to take a kicker in the seventh round, but Thompson didn't go down that route in this draft. 

That leads me to believe that Crosby will undoubtedly be the Packers kicker for 2011. 

He can be frustratingly inconsistent, but Crosby is likely a better option than starting over at that position.

FB Korey Hall

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls the signals as teammates Brandon Jackson #32, Korey Hall #35 and Scott Wells #63 await the snap while Landon Johnson #55 of the Detroit Lions watches at Lambeau Field on October

Pick at his position

Ryan Taylor (No. 218)

What it means for Hall

Coach Mike McCarthy has already said Taylor will be a tight end, but that doesn't change the fact that he is an almost identical player to Hall. This tells me that the Packers are likely to let Hall go in free agency. 

Hall's biggest contribution to the Packers was on special teams, and Taylor is a former linebacker who was North Carolina's special teams captain his final two seasons. 

They could still bring him back, but Hall's purpose on the team took a hit when the Packers drafted Taylor.

S Anthony Smith

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 03: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs past Anthony Smith #29 during practice at summer training camp on August 3, 2009 at the Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Pick at his position

N/A

What it means for Smith

I think the Packers will still get a safety once undrafted free agents are able to be signed.

If that's the case, remember the name Anthony Walters. The Packers worked him out before the draft and they like what he can bring from a hybrid safety/cornerback role. 

With that said, Smith has a chance to be re-signed for depth at safety. He has experience in the 3-4 and can be a solid contributor on special teams.

WR Brett Swain

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 28: Wide receiver Brett Swain #26 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball after a reception past Rashad Johnson #41 of the Arizona Cardinals during the preseason NFL game at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on August 28, 2009

Pick at his position

Randall Cobb (No. 64)

What it means for Swain

Picking Cobb doesn't mean much for Swain's future unless the Packers somehow re-sign James Jones. 

With that being unlikely, Swain should have the inside track for the Packers No. 5 receiver slot.

He doesn't strike fear into anyone receiving-wise, but he's more than capable of holding down that spot and contributing on special teams. 

LB Matt Wilhelm

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Matt Wilhelm #57 of the Green Bay Packers looks on while taking on the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Pick at his position

D.J. Smith (No. 186)

What it means for Wilhelm 

Wilhelm wasn't going to be back with the Packers whether they drafted Smith or not.

He was strictly a stop-gap acquisition last year to give the Packers depth at inside linebacker and help on special teams. 

Typically those kind of players—especially if they are 30 years old—don't make talented rosters like the Packers. He got his ring, but he'll be back on the streets in 2011.