How many times did we hear it: Aaron Rodgers needs help. It echoed around the sports world as the Packers fell to the Falcons in the NFC championship. Now the Packers need to perform the obvious maneuver and get Rodgers a running game plus an extra receiving threat. The defense could also use some work, especially with EDGE rushers and corners. Here is how the Packers can check out all of the boxes.
Free Agency:
Cap Space: $35,275,292 (According to Fanspeak Ultimate GM after the cutting of James Starks and Sam Shields)Notable Free Agents: RB Eddie Lacy, EDGE Nick Perry, EDGE Julius Peppers, OG TJ Lang, C JC Tretter, S Micah Hyde, TE Jared Cook
Eddie Lacy is overweight, inconsistent, and injury prone. Not resigning him should be common sense, especially since he has not had a good season since 2014. Nick Perry has been the Packers most consistent EDGE rusher when he is on the field, so resigning him is a priority. Julius Peppers is a big name and still has gas in the tank, but he is just a rotational player and the Packers need to get younger at the position anyway. TJ Lang is a top ten or top five guards in the league, and the Packers cannot let him walk. JC Tretter is less of a priority, as he is just a solid player as opposed to a very good one. He will probably walk just because the Packers need the money to sign Lang, Perry, and safety Micah Hyde. Hyde is one of the defensive brights spots and is a good running mate to HaHa Clinton-Dix. Jared Cook did make that amazing catch versus Dallas to keep the Packer's dreams alive, but he was inconsistent for most of the season.
On the Market Prospects: TE Jack Doyle, OL Steven Wisniewski, RB Darren McFadden
Jack Doyle had a breakout season last year for the Colts, showing good blocking technique and great receiving ability. He can be Jared Cook's replacement. Steven Wisniewski can play each interior spot and is cheaper than JC Tretter. Even if the Packers draft a running back, they still need somebody to replace James Starks. Darren McFadden is not far removed from a 1,000 yard rushing season and could give the Packers another dimension on offense.
The Draft:
Early Round (1 and 2) Prospects:
If the Packers are serious about getting Aaron Rodgers some help, then Christian McCaffrey has to be the guy. He could bolster the run, pass, and return games and make the Packers less predictable on offense. If they choose to go defensive in the first round, the Packers should look at Takkarist McKinnely, Jarrad Davis, Gareon Conely, or Marlon Humphrey. McKinnely is a natural fit in the Packer's 4-3 scheme as an EDGE rusher and he could improve their pass rush. Jarrad Davis is a fast and mean linebacker from the defensive factory that is Florida. He could step in and start day one. Gareon Conely and Marlon Humphrey are both long corners who can help in the run game, something the Packers could use. In the second round, the Packers should look at Fabian Moreau at corner or Ryan Anderson at the EDGE position. Moreau is long and fast and could replace Sam Shields, while Ryan Anderson is an EDGE rusher who can play in space.
Late Round (3-7) Prospects:
Joe Mathis was a standout rusher for the Washington Huskies and fits the Packer's scheme. Pat Eflien is an All-American center from Ohio State who could fill in for JC Tretter. Derek Rivers is a small school pass rusher who could play on third downs. Cole Hikutini is a standout tight end threat from Louisville who could replace Jared Cook. Bug Howard is a tall, fast deep threat from North Carolina. Peter Kalambayi is a linebacker who can pass rush and play in a traditional linebacker role. Ahkello Witherspoon played opposite Chidobe Awuzie in a standout Colorado secondary, and he has the physical tools to succeed in the league. Connor McDermott is a project player, but the Packers could select him and try and harness his monster size (6'8'' 310 lbs).
One move nobody may see coming:
There are rumors that Adrian Peterson may not be a Viking next year, but what if the Packers picked him up? It would be just like the Vikings signing Brett Farve after his Green Bay days. Peterson could provide the rushing presence that the Packers need and it would be a punch in the gut to their division rivals.
What I would do
- Resign Micah Hyde, TJ Lang, and Nick Perry
- Sign Darren McFadden
- Draft: Round 1-Christian McCaffrey, Round 2- Fabian Moreau, Round 3- Pat Eflien, Round 3- Joe Mathis, Round 4- Cole Hikutini, Round 5- Bug Howard, Round 6- Derek Rivers, Round 7- Ahkello Witherspoon
Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service
No comments:
Post a Comment