With the opening of the legal tampering a week away and the official start of free agency set for next Wednesday, a few things have become increasingly clear for the Green Bay Packers and their plan this offseason.
For starters, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst wants to add a receiver or tight end before the draft. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported the Packers are expecting to add a pair of pass-catchers, with tight end Austin Hooper pinpointed as a primary target.
The Packers also want to come away with a veteran inside linebacker. Various reports have linked the Packers to at least three of the top available linebackers: Cory Littleton, Joe Schobert and Nick Kwiatkoski. The Packers also haven’t ruled out re-signing Blake Martinez, who will be an unrestricted free agent following three-straight 140-tackle seasons.
It’s difficult to imagine the Packers exiting the first few waves of free agency without at least one linebacker, although it’s possible the demands of the market could push the top options out of Gutekunst’s price range. Sacrifices might need to be made – like allowing Bryan Bulaga walk – to make it all work. But the Packers look determined to improve the middle of the defense.
Littleton looks like a perfect fit. He has range, elite coverage ability and a loaded toolbox of ways to attack plays at the line of scrimmage. He’s also experienced playing as the lone off-ball linebacker in the coverage-heavy schemes Mike Pettine prefers.
Schobert, a former Badger, makes more plays in the passing game but has many synonymous traits to Martinez, who didn’t have enough to overcome some of the difficult situations put on his plate in 2019.
Kwiatkoski is especially intriguing, given how well he played in spurts as a backup and spot starter in Chicago. He’s tough against the run, good on the blitz and effective enough in coverage. In Week 15 at Lambeau Field, he sacked Aaron Rodgers and nearly intercepted him on a pass over the middle.
The Packers struggled defending the run and were often exposed covering the middle of the field, two jobs expected of an inside linebacker. Martinez and Blake Goodson are free agents, providing an opportunity for the Packers to completely rebuild the position this offseason. A veteran and a draft pick could quickly turn around a position that has been an issue for the Packers for several years.
Gutekunst hasn’t been shy about attacking problem areas. He spent money and draft picks to completely revamp the outside linebacker and safety positions last offseason. Receiver, tight end and inside linebacker are in his crosshairs this spring.
Other free-agent linebackers include Jamie Collins, Josh Bynes, Danny Trevathan, Nigel Bradham, Reggie Ragland, Mychal Kendricks, Nick Vigil, Alec Ogletree, Wesley Woodyard, De’Vondre Campbell, A.J. Klein and Patrick Onwuasor.