The Green Bay Packers are entering an important phase of the calendar, with free agency and the draft approaching. General manager Brian Gutekunst said he wants to ramp up the urgency to build a championship roster, so let’s discuss his avenues to do so in our latest edition of the Packers mailbag.
It has to be a decision regarding Jaire Alexander. Theoretically, they don’t need to pull the trigger before Week 1, since there’s no roster bonus, but the final call regarding Jaire will define everything else the Packers have to do about their secondary.
It’s highly likely that Jaire will end up elsewhere, but it would be important for the Packers if they were able to get some type of draft compensation. Another positive aspect of the trade is that Green Bay could direct him to another division—if he gets released, he will be on another NFC North team in five minutes.
But on a more serious not, the tendency is that the Packers will end up releasing Alexander, because it’s hard to find suitors for a player who is not cheap and has handled so many injuries. At least, this year the team has financial flexibility to start the new league year in March with Alexander on the roster, which gives them a real shot at trading him.
In 2022, the Packers were forced to release Za’Darius Smith, even if he had some trade value, because they needed the cap space to be cap compliant.
I would go with Davante Adams and Drew Dalman. Adams is getting older, which tends to be dangerous for wide receivers, but he still played at a high level for the New York Jets this past season and would be able to offer a skillset that the current receiving group doesn’t have.
Milton Williams would be an intriguing option, but he tends to be truly expensive after his playoff performance and, more importantly, offers the same positives and negatives than Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks. He might be better, but I don’t see why you would spend so much money on a defensive lineman who isn’t exactly a complete player.
On the othe hand, Drew Dalman would be a huge upgrade over Josh Myers, especially in run blocking. He already knows the basics of the system, because he played under Arthur Smith in Atlanta.
According to Spotrac, Dalman is expected to sign a three-year, $20.2 million contract. That’s way cheaper than what the New York Giants paid Jon Runyan last offseason. The price might be above the projection because that’s how the offensive line market works in free agency, but he would be a solid addition.
If the Packers need a splash to be a contender, they probably won’t be. That’s just how they operate. That being said, they are open to make additions and that’s what they truly need. A solid draft class and some impactful pieces in free agency might be enough.
Where I think the philosophy has to change, this year specifically, is the willingness to sign more mid-level free agents who fit the system. Use Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley as assets to take the most out of some players, just like the Philadelphia Eagles did with Zack Baun.
I agree that DK Metcalf would be excellent for this offense, and Gutekunst has already said he had a high grade on him ahead of the draft. That being said, we don’t know how realistic it will be. The Seattle Seahawks may simply not want to trade him.
The draft will always be the best way to find cheap high-end talent, but if the Packers want a deep threat while Christian Watson is out, DJ Chark could be a useful role player—and the return of Marquez Valdes-Scantling does make some sense.
Myles Garrett, and it’s not close. Garrett is the most talented edge rusher of his generation, and the production matches the talent. I know the Cleveland Browns are not that good, but it has had a solid defense for quite some time and that’s mostly because of Garrett. He can affect the game on basically every play, and he changes the complexion of how the offense has to
operate with protection schemes.
Maxx Crosby is a great player, and I’ve loved him since his pre-draft process. He was one of those guys that you take in every mock draft for me. But Garrett is one of one, even if you compare him to other monster players like Nick Bosa or TJ Watt.
I don’t see the need for it. The Packers have strong depth with Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden. The approach will be in part affected by what happens to TJ Slaton in free agency, but I would certainly try to retain him.
Green Bay can use a top defensive lineman who can be effective both as a pass rusher and run defender, something that only Clark can do—and he is regressing. But in terms of depth, I don’t think there’s any type of need to add multiple players.
