Not big on drafting inside linebackers high or doling out notable extensions at the position, the Packers are counting on some lower-level investments on their defensive second level. Here is some non-Aaron Rodgers Packers news.
Over the past two offseasons, the team has let Blake Martinez walk in free agency and made Christian Kirksey a cap casualty. Green Bay drafted Isaiah McDuffie in Round 6, but GM Brian Gutekunst said the team is considering signing a veteran to bolster this group, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic notes (subscription required).
The Packers have Day 3 picks Kamal Martin and Ty Summers on their roster, along with recent UDFA Krys Barnes. Despite his undrafted pedigree, Barnes made 10 starts as a rookie last season. Neither he nor Kirksey, however, ranked inside the top 60 at the position, in Pro Football Focus’ view. A six-game starter, Martin fared better. But he played just 208 defensive snaps in an injury-shortened season. The Packers’ highest off-ball linebacker draftee in 15 years, former third-rounder Oren Burks, remains on the team. He is shifting back to inside linebacker after working on the edge more in 2020, Schneidman adds. Burks, however, has not played more than 100 defensive snaps since his 2018 rookie season.
As for available ILBs, a number of notable names are out there. K.J. Wright tops the list. The longtime Seahawks starter may not have a path back to Seattle, with the team having drafted Jordyn Brooks in Round 1 last year and not looking to spend much on additional free agents. PFF slotted Wright as a top-10 linebacker in 2020. Recent Saints cap cut Kwon Alexander remains available, as are ex-Falcon De’Vondre Campbell and longtime starter Avery Williamson. He of a standout rookie season (and considerable off-field baggage and an injury history), former first-rounder Reuben Foster is also unsigned.
The Cardinals have made Jordan Hicks available via trade, following the first-round selection of Zaven Collins. Hicks accepted a $3MM pay cut this offseason and is due just $2MM in base salary this season. The Packers have around $5MM in cap space but have yet to sign their first- and third-round picks (Eric Stokes, Amari Rodgers).
Translation: gutendorker is going to sign a longsnapper and a punt team gunner. Unless a 1 armed TE is available.
What do you know, a team that refuses to invest draft picks at two positions has its biggest weaknesses at the same two positions.
GB front office has been a complete embarrassment the past decade or so. Rodgers has made the team look legit, but the team has been unable to assemble anything that resembles a defense despite throwing draft pick after draft pick on that side of the ball. They get in a cap crunch then throw $5M at Kevin King who has been complete garbage all while much much better DB’s like Desmond King, Casey Heyward, Malcolm Butler, and Xavier Rhodes signed for less.
I’d like to see K.J. Wright get a job, he still plays at a high level, but I’d hate to see him play for the Pack.
I’m not sure that he’s a fit there-he’s played outside as a coverage backer for his career. Wright’s good enough to be effective anywhere, but the Packers need a true interior backer to fill gaps and make calls and have since A.J. Hawk left. Not that Wright can’t do that, but he’s pretty far into his career to not play him at his best position. The Packers rush their outside backers too frequently to force Wright into where he played in Seattle.
Go get Williamson. He’s the most solid choice there.