A year after reshaping the roster with a rare spending spree, the Green Bay Packers weren’t nearly as aggressive in free agency this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst was limited by the team’s financial flexibility, but he still managed to add a few veterans at need spots with team-friendly deals.
Predicting future impact can be difficult, but it’s an easier exercise when players have experience and roles look well defined.
Here’s a ranking of the Packers’ free-agent additions by potential impact in 2020:
1. LB Christian Kirksey
Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is sure excited about adding Kirksey, a veteran linebacker who played two years in his scheme with the Cleveland Browns and should have a head start at learning the defense, a key factor during this difficult offseason. Kirksey has missed 23 games the last two seasons, but the Packers don’t think he’s injury prone and aren’t worried about his long-term health. In fact, they probably think they got a bargain at the team’s biggest need position. Kirksey plays faster and is more instinctive than Blake Martinez, the player he’ll be replacing in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. While it’s unlikely Kirksey will be a true difference-maker, he figures to raise the baseline performance level of the linebacker group – but only if he avoids injury and stays on the field. Kirksey’s value will be directly tied to his availability, which is a question mark after he ended each of the last two years on season-ending injured reserve. Martinez, while limited, was always available.
2. RT Rick Wagner
The thought here is that Wagner, a former Wisconsin Badger who started 87 total games with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, will step in and be the starting right tackle, replacing Bryan Bulaga. That’s a big job. It’s an important one, too, as Aaron Rodgers has long relied on having two trustworthy offensive tackles handling the edges of the pocket. Wagner has been a good player in the past, but he’s coming off an injury-plagued and altogether disappointing 2019 season with the Lions. More than likely, the Packers got a good price on Wagner because the rest of the league – which is starved for quality offensive tackles – isn’t certain he can still play at a high level. The Packers are taking a big risk, but if it pays off and Wagner rebounds, they’ll have a nice stopgap option at right tackle for at least the 2020 season. With little behind him at right tackle, and question marks at right guard, Wagner is a very important player for the Packers.
3. WR Devin Funchess
The opportunity in Green Bay in 2020 is a great one for Funchess, who will get a chance to play a complementary role in an offense featuring a No. 1 receiver and a top quarterback. The passing game also lacks a sure-fire secondary option, creating even more opportunity for Funchess to bounce back from missing all but one game in 2019. Big and physical, with the ability to play the middle of the field and win on back-shoulder balls, Funchess has value in the right role. And he’s likely going to be taking on many of the snaps given last year to Geronimo Allison, who produced one of the least efficient seasons by any NFL receiver in 2019. It will be difficult for Funchess to recreate that level of incompetency, creating a chance for him to help drive real improvement in the passing game simply by doing more with the targets he’ll likely get. Funchess may not be anything more than a No. 3 receiver, but as long as he avoids some of his past drop issues and is physically ready to play, he’ll provide a small but meaningful upgrade at receiver.
4. DL Treyvon Hester/Gerald Willis
The Packers made two late, under-the-radar signings along the defensive line, adding Hester and Willis to a group that really needs more depth in 2020. Hester has bounced around the NFL but he’s played well at times at various stops. In fact, if the Packers can get the 2018 version of Hester, they might have a valuable rotational player to use along the defensive line. He’s flashed an ability to hold up against the run and create disruption as a rusher. Willis is much more of a wildcard, but he was well-regarded coming out of Miami and has some athleticism for a 300-pounder. The Packers will hope one of the two sticks, upping the competition and adding depth upfront. The guess here is that Hester has a real chance to make the 53-man roster.