Between free agency and the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers are positioned well this offseason to address the bigger roster needs that they have, along with continuing to improve their overall depth and cultivating competition within each position group–an important factor for Brian Gutekunst.
“I think pretty solid,” said Gutekunst about the draft and free agency classes aligning with the Packers’ needs. “Again, we’re in the beginning stages, but I think pretty solidly.”
With five picks in the top 100 of the draft, the Packers have what every team wants, and that is flexibility. With that many selections at the top of the draft, Gutekunst won’t feel the strain of having to address a particular position group, especially if the Packers can check a few boxes in free agency.
Gutekunst is in a position to stay put, to trade up, to trade down, to address just about any position that he wants based on the board, or even trade for a veteran, something he has brought up on two occassions.
Positions-wise, the draft lines up fairly well with what the Packers major needs. There is an abundance of offensive line depth, and this is another good cornerback class. Day 2 of the draft, where the Packers have four picks, should give them some opportunities to add to linebacker and safety, while the middle portion of the draft seems to be the sweet spot for the running back position.
“For me,” Gutekunst said, “it’s really just about trying to find the best overall football players. Certainly, there’s only so many difference-makers in the NFL, so if you have the chance to acquire a difference-maker, regardless of the position, you’re going to be in that market.
“To me, it’s more about what kind of quality players and people can we bring into our locker room to create the healthy competition we need for our team to move forward.”
Over the Cap (OTC) currently has the Packers with $13.6 million in available salary cap space, ranking 20th league-wide.
In terms of typical operating expenses, such as signing the incoming draft class, which will take up about $13.2 million in cap space per OTC, building a practice squad, and having in-season reserves available, among other costs, the Packers need between $25 million and $30 million in available cap space, and that doesn’t include any free-agent additions.
However, with that said, through additional contract restructures, a potential extension for Kenny Clark and a few veteran roster cuts, the Packers have the ability to be just about as aggressive as they want to be in free agency. Of course, the downside to that, specifically the contract restructures, is that any cap space created for 2024 has to be recognized in future years, potentially reducing salary cap flexibility in 2025 and beyond.
“I do,” said Gutekunst when asked if the Packers will be a “player” in free agency. “I think we are every year. There’s good players in this free agent class and certainly we are going to be in the mix in some of those things.
“Part of coming through the combine is finding out some of that stuff with the free agent class and also the draft class and looking at it holistically and saying what is the best route for the Green Bay Packers.”
As far as the safety position goes, this is an absolutely loaded free-agent class. There won’t be a shortage of options for the Packers when it comes to addressing this need in free agency.
At linebacker, 13 players made PFF’s top 100 available free agents list, while there will be experienced veteran options at cornerback, running back, center, and guard for the Packers to add to if the right player is available at the right price.
In the past under Gutekunst, when there have been major perceived needs, he has thrown resources at those position groups. In 2018, Gutekunst signed Davon House and Tramon Williams, then drafted Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.
In 2019, Gutekunst signed Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith while drafting Rashan Gary. That same year, he also signed Adrian Amos and Billy Turner before drafting Darnell Savage and Elgton Jenkins.
The following 2020 season, Gutekunst signed veteran Rick Wagner and drafted three offensive linemen. In 2022, he signed Sammy Watkins and drafted Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure.
You get the idea. And no, not all those moves worked out, but it goes to show the thought process when in a somewhat similar situation that the Packers are currently experiencing at safety, running back, and even linebacker, especially if they release De’Vondre Campbell.
The importance of creating competition is a topic that Gutekunst has discussed a few different times this offseason. And, of course, while finding good, impactful football players is always the goal, identifying players, in both free agency and the draft, with a certain play-style, specifically on the defensive side of the ball under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, will be a priority as well.
“I think Matt and I, one of the things we talk about is the play-style,” added Gutekunst. “We want an aggressive, effort, physical defense that is consistent and doesn’t ride waves. That you can count on something week in and week out and that’s tough in this league. There’s some really good teams out there and it’s tough to stay consistent over the course of the season.
“But the play-style and what we look like on tape, more so than schematics, is what I want to see. This week at the Combine is a very important part for us to see what is out there and do we feel these guys can come in and play right away as rookies. And then as our defensive staff gets together and continues to work through their process, getting to know our team, and particularly the free agent class, we will look to see how we are going to piece that together.”