The NFL season formally begins in September and ends in early February, but the foundation upon which the next Super Bowl-winner is built happens in the months between February and May.

On March 18, the NFL’s new league year will begin, which means the start of free agency. The Green Bay Packers opened up the checkbook last year and signed four free agents to lucrative contracts, the impact of which will be felt this offseason.

For practical purposes, a quick overview of the Packers’ cap situation. According to Over the Cap, the Packers enter the 2020 offseason with a projected $23.7 million in cap space. They can add $12.5 million in extra space by releasing Jimmy Graham and Lane Taylor, which seems likely. Once the draft class is accounted for – as well as a contingency budget for in-season signings – the Packers are probably still looking at, conservatively, around $20 million in cap space to add additional free agents.

After free agency follows the NFL draft, which takes place from April 23-25. The Packers have 10 overall selections, which includes two sixth-rounders and three seventh-rounders. The Packers have the 30th pick of each round and own just three picks in the top 100.

Between now and free agency (or the draft), Packers Wire will periodically analyze hypotheticals regarding player acquisitions, examining the immediate impacts of adding a certain player or position and then analyzing the corresponding butterfly effect.

The hypothetical

The Packers sign former New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson to a four-year, $45 million contract. Anderson will average $11.5 million a year. Spotrac estimates Anderson’s value slightly above, at $12 million per year; despite raw production not too dissimilar to Tyrell Williams, who signed with the Raiders last offseason at an average of $11 million per year. While $12 million feels high, the low supply of starting-quality receivers expected to reach the market might buoy Anderson’s value. That said, a receiver-rich draft class may dampen Anderson’s market.

Immediate roster implications

Singing Anderson would give the Packers an immediate starter opposite Davante Adams. He also provides the Packers with a much more reliable deep threat. We’ve since discovered that the Packers’ receiving corps is made up of a true No. 1 and a collection of JAGs. Allen Lazard, while a nice story, fits much better into a complementary No. 3 role. With Anderson in tow, the Packers are in a much better position to compete right away. It’s important to note that Aaron Rodgers demands a level of reliability from his receivers; it’s a difficult thing for receivers, especially rookie receivers, to earn. From that perspective, getting a proven pass catcher could give the Packers’ passing game the immediate jolt it needs.

Financial and UFA implications

Signing staring-quality receivers in free agency isn’t cheap. If the Packers sign Anderson to the contract stated in the hypothetical, the team will have slashed its cap space nearly in half (depending on the contract structure). This option means Bryan Bulaga likely walks unless he’s willing to come back on a contract well-below market value. The Packers are also looking to extend Kenny Clark. Some of the remaining $8.5 million can be used to pay Clark. Blake Martinez is also as good as gone. If the Packers are going to sign a veteran as a placeholder for Martinez’s spot, it’s likely going to have to be at a replacement-level contract, which means replacement-level talent.

Draft implications

Although the Packers signed a big-money free agent to address a need, they would be hard-pressed to pass on selecting another wide receiver in a draft that – concerning the draft’s positional depth at wide receiver – is the Mariana Trench. But signing Anderson likely moved receiver down the priority list a bit.

With Bulaga and Martinez likely gone, the Packers are playing with fire, specifically with the former gone without a clear viable replacement. As such, the Packers are probably looking for a player they believe is a plug-and-play Day 1 starter at right tackle.

Replacing Martinez becomes the next priority, though that doesn’t mean it becomes their second overall pick. Even so, the Packers aren’t guaranteed an opportunity to grab one of the top-rated linebackers, such as Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray or LSU’s Patrick Queen.

In summary, by patching the holes at receiver, the Packers are more than likely going to be fielding a team with clear positional holes; their propensity for neglecting the inside linebacker position means it could be another year with weak middle-of-the-field defense. And it could mean shaky frontside pass protection for Aaron Rodgers.

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