Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst targeted a very specific type of player during free agency last spring. He found four players, all around the age of 26 or 27, with relatively clean injury histories and the potential to continue ascending as players.
The risk-minimizing approach worked out brilliantly. Za’Darius Smith broke out as a Pro Bowler, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos provided the defense with two solid starters and Billy Turner started every game at right guard.
Gutekunst and the Packers don’t have the same type of spending power as they approach free agency this year, but it’ll still be possible to add one or two veterans who fit the same mold as the four acquired last year.
Here are the upcoming free agents who could be on the Packers’ free-agent board this year, based on last year’s criteria:
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (TEN)
Running back
Kenyan Drake (ARI)
Jordan Howard (PHI)
Jonathan Williams (IND)
Jalen Richard (LV)
DeAndre Washington (LV)
Fullback
Derek Watt (LAC)
Receiver
Amari Cooper (DAL)
Robby Anderson (NYJ)
Breshad Perriman (TB)
Tajae Sharpe (TEN)
Pharoh Cooper (ARI)
Rashard Higgins (CLE)
Cody Latimer (NYG)
Demarcus Robinson (KC)
Chester Rogers (IND)
Tight end
Austin Hooper (ATL)
Eric Ebron (IND)
Nick Vannett (PIT)
Offensive tackle
Jack Conklin (TEN)
Halapoulivaati Vaitai (PHI)
D.J. Humphries (ARI)
Offensive guard
Joe Thuney (NE)
Graham Glasgow (DET)
Center
Connor McGovern (DEN)
Ted Karras (NE)
Austin Blythe (LAR)
Edge rusher
Arik Armstead (SF)
Jadeveon Clowney (SEA)
Shaquil Barrett (TB)
Yannick Ngakoue (JAC)
Bud Dupree (PIT)
Dante Fowler Jr. (LAR)
Matthew Judon (BAL)
Kamalei Correa (TEN)
Interior defensive line
Chris Jones (KC)
D.J. Reader (HOU)
Javon Hargrave (PIT)
Leonard Williams (NYG)
Michael Pierce (BAL)
Danny Shelton (NE)
Andrew Billings (CIN)
Jarran Reed (SEA)
Quinton Jefferson (SEA)
A’Shawn Robinson (DET)
Maliek Collins (DAL)
Sheldon Day (SF)
Austin Johnson (TEN)
Hassan Ridgeway (PHI)
Tyeler Davison (ATL)
Inside linebacker
Cory Littleton (LAR)
Nick Kwiatkoski (CHI)
Elandon Roberts (NE)
De’Vondre Campbell (ATL)
Patrick Onwuasor (BAL)
Kamu Grugier-Hill (PHI)
Cornerback
Byron Jones (DAL)
Brian Poole (NYJ)
Eli Apple (NO)
James Bradberry (CAR)
Maurice Canady (NYJ)
Daryl Worley (LV)
Will Parks (DEN)
Safety
Justin Simmons (DEN)
Tre Boston (CAR)
Kendall Fuller (KC)
Karl Joseph (LV)
Vonn Bell (NO)
Jayron Kearse (MIN)
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