Packers Sign $2Billion 6 Free Agents Due To…

The Green Bay Packers got aggressive at the beginning of NFL free agency and brought in former All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs as well as a new big-money safety in Xavier McKinney. But general manager Brian Gutekunst still has work to do and he’s got a chance to continue upgrading this roster, even with 11 picks looming for the 2024 NFL Draft.

There are still some really good free agents available that could help this Packers roster, or could upgrade the depth on this team. Who should Gutekunst be trying to sign with just weeks remaining before the 2024 NFL Draft?

Let’s take a look at a handful of options still out there.

1. Jamal Adams, S/LB

Someone is going to have to sign Jamal Adams eventually, right? When it comes to big names available, there are few bigger than Adams at this point. Although Adams was the centerpiece of a rather unpopular trade, he’s historically been a really good, impactful player when healthy.

He had seven tackles for loss in just nine games played last year after coming off of a season-ending injury in 2022. There are obviously availability concerns here, but Adams attacks the line of scrimmage as well or better than almost any defensive back in the league.

There are definitely worse options for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and Adams is someone who could also help this team floating in the box at the linebacker position or playing a dime defensive back role. He’s an elite pass rusher for the position he plays.

2. Dalton Risner, OG

One of the premier interior offensive linemen still available in NFL free agency is former Denver Broncos second-round pick Dalton Risner. Risner is coming off of a very good year with the Minnesota Vikings in which he basically pitched a shutout in pass protection at the left guard position.

Risner’s availability this offseason is even more curious than last season considering how well he played for the Vikings in 2023.

Last offseason, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding why Risner was lingering in free agency despite being expected to receive somewhere around $9-10 million per year on a long-term deal. No one was signing him, and questions had risen as to whether or not it was because he shoved backup QB Brett Rypien on the sideline of a Christmas Day blowout loss between the Broncos and Rams.

Risner has been the common denominator of a variety of scuffles in his pro career, but he’s ultimately a great asset to the community and one of the kindest human beings out there. You want your offensive linemen with a bit of a hot streak. The Packers could add Risner to their offensive line mix and he could start for them at right guard if they don’t get who they want in the draft, or if Sean Rhyan is not up to the task.

3. Connor Williams, OL

Because he’s coming off of a season-ending injury, Connor Williams may not physically be able to sign with a team prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, but a smart team might just be willing to sign him before and see what happens.

Williams tore his ACL in December, so he’s not all that far removed from the injury, and there is risk involved here, but he’s a really good player when he’s healthy.

And considering that he became one of the top centers in the league playing for Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins over the last couple of years, it stands to reason that Williams could transition to playing for the Packers quite easily.

The former second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys has started in the NFL at both guard and center, and has done well in both spots. The knee injury is an obvious concern here, but the risk might be worth the reward. The Packers just need to determine whether or not a player like Williams would be okay floating to the right guard position as opposed to playing center where he’s really excelled in recent years.

4. Justin Simmons, safety

The fact that there has been so much movement already on the safety market and Justin Simmons remains available is borderline sickening.

Simmons has been arguably the best safety in the league the last handful of years, and has played at a consistently high level since coming into the league back in 2016. No player has more interceptions since 2016 than Justin Simmons. None.

His 30 interceptions since 2016 are impressive, but add in the fact that Simmons has also forced five fumbles over the last two seasons. He’s accounting for so many turnover-worthy plays at this point that you can almost bank on 3/4 of your games involving a Justin Simmons turnover.

The Green Bay Packers could add Justin Simmons to the mix along with Xavier McKinney and instantly have the best safety duo in the league. What’s preventing them from doing this? Is it simply convincing Simmons and his family to come to Green Bay?

5. Mekhi Becton, OT

For teams that have a proven method of developing young players at a position group, it’s hard to fathom not taking on some risk-reward options in NFL free agency.

The Green Bay Packers have developed offensive linemen tremendously well under Adam Stenavich, the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach. We’ve seen them develop a number of late-round players into quality starters, so what if Stenavich could get his hands on a former first-round pick like Mekhi Becton?

We know that the main reason things didn’t work out for Becton with the New York Jets was availability, but maybe he can have a string of good luck health-wise in Green Bay. You never know.

That’s why you take these kinds of shots in free agency. If the price is right, Becton is a player who is worth the investment. The Packers seem to be planning on trotting out Rasheed Walker as their starting left tackle this year, and he’s earned that opportunity, but why not throw a former first-round pick like Becton into the mix and see what he can do with your coaching staff working with him?

Similar to the way Mekhi Becton would be a worthwhile dart throw at this stage of the offseason, Simmons being a former first-round pick at the age of 25 and with so much talent might be worth the investment.

Jeff Hafley was the Ohio State defensive backs coach in 2019 when Clemson beat them in the Fiesta Bowl, just before he took the head coaching job at Boston College. He’s seen up close what Simmons is capable of doing, and even though that game was before Simmons got to the NFL, his versatility and playmaking ability are still there.

He had a bit of a down statistical year in 2023 with the New York Giants, but he’s still capable of playing well in the right system and part of the reason the Packers brought Jeff Hafley in was to get the most out of the personnel they provide him with.

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49ers Are Signing Former Packers RB

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, with second-year quarterback Brock Purdy proving to be the real deal and helping lead the storied franchise to the Super Bowl.

Even though the 49ers ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, Purdy and company are expected to be one of the best all-around teams in the league for quite some time, with the squad being stacked on both sides of the football.

Despite being one of the best all-around teams in the NFL, especially when it comes to the talent on the offensive side of the football with star players all over the field, the 49ers will still make some changes and see players come and go.
On Wednesday, the 49ers made another addition to the offense, with the team reportedly signing former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Obviously, this is not a game-changing move for the 49ers, especially with the team already having arguably the best running back in football, Christian McCaffrey, leading the way out of the backfield.

However, with McCaffrey’s injury history always being a concern for San Francisco, the team does need to be as deep as possible at the position, which they have addressed with this move, as well as having Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason on the roster.

Last season, Taylor played in 11 games for the Packers, rushing for 141 yards on 31 carries while also catching 11 passes for 49 receiving yards.