The Green Bay Packers made an early splash in free agency, signing linebacker Christian Kirksey and offensive tackle Rick Wagner on the first day of the legal tampering period, but GM Brian Gutekunst doesn’t have to be done as the first wave of free agency washes over.
There’s still work to be done, especially if one of Gutekunst’s goals was to add a capable veteran in the passing game.
Here are three free agents the Packers could still target:
Zach Kruse: TE Eric Ebron
The Packers brought back Marcedes Lewis, but they should dip back into the tight end market and sign Ebron, who is still only 26 and just one year removed from catching 13 touchdown passes from Andrew Luck. He’s an inconsistent but still valuable asset in the passing game and could be relatively affordable after missing a good chunk of last season. I’d look at Ebron as a Jared Cook-like player who can run, stretch the middle of the field, beat linebackers in man coverage and make plays in the red zone. The Packers might have to cut or trade Lane Taylor to get it done, but it’d be worth it, especially considering the lack of talent at tight end in the draft class. Ebron could provide what the Packers thought they were getting in Jimmy Graham in 2018.
Jack Wepfer: WR Robby Anderson
For every day that Anderson goes unsigned, his leverage and asking price drops. That’s good news for the Packers, who should keep an eye on Anderson while this process plays itself out. The Packers are built to contend next year, and with the slow developmental process commonplace with rookie wide receivers, the Packers should give Aaron Rodgers a true No. 2 opposite Davante Adams while they ease in a rookie. With Anderson’s colder-than-expected market, the Packers could do worse than to add the 27-year-old deep threat.
Joe Kipp: WR Taylor Gabriel
Signing the 29-year-old Gabriel makes sense from both a need and value standpoint. Add in the fact that he has past experience with Packers coach Matt LaFleur from their time in Atlanta together, and this could be a sneaky good acquisition. Ever since the departure of Randall Cobb, the Packers have lacked a quick-twitched receiver. The 5-7, 170-pound speedster would fill that void while being able to deploy out of the slot. He’d also allow LaFleur to get creative with manufactured touches in the form of jet sweeps and bubble screens. Gabriel spent the last two seasons in Chicago, where he posted a combined 96 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns. He could likely be had for a lesser price than other flashy names on the open market. The only concern is his recent history of concussions.