2018 Free Agents to Target

[Half Empty]

Yeah. Sure didn't work with TJ Lang. Or Josh Sitton.

I'm not an Xs and Os or talent guy, but my understanding is that many OL were tackles in college because that's where the best athletes are. Those that don't qualify in the NFL move inside. For the DBs, I thought the CBs were the natural athletes and safeties were more along the lines of thinkers and/or hitters. Somebody with a better grasp might be able to better explain if drafting tackles and moving them inside is akin to moving a college safety to CB.

 

[Snoops]

I would prefer a similar approach to Free Agency as the one TT used this past year. More low to middle priced guys. Throw all your FA money at one guy and you are rolling the dice that he will stay healthy and productive and meanwhile you have 2 or 3 other positions that could have used a starter or more depth.

I agree and disagree I think examples would be like Ryan Pickett comes to mind in that regards j Evans last yr was solid.. House was ok cuz he knows the system but he ain’t superstar potential.. we need someone that def flashes that or a proven vet we can’t **** around anymore in all honesty with Rodgers at qb they should have more super bowls than Brady does he is way better attributed than Brady ever was.. so if u can put a legit team on his hands on both sides of the ball they would be checkin off Super Bowl wins I know it’s harder than it sounds but in all theory it should be that way... we need a flipping defense if Rodgers had the ball 3-4 more times a game at minimum it’s over.. I ain’t worried about our offense at all even the tightend spot they are perfectly fine some depth and a rookie te would be nice but they need to hit on the defensive side it’s time to get it done and sign high upside players or proven just a couple and go from there

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm not an Xs and Os or talent guy, but my understanding is that many OL were tackles in college because that's where the best athletes are. Those that don't qualify in the NFL move inside. For the DBs, I thought the CBs were the natural athletes and safeties were more along the lines of thinkers and/or hitters. Somebody with a better grasp might be able to better explain if drafting tackles and moving them inside is akin to moving a college safety to CB.

We are at about the same "pay grade" as far as being X and O guys.

My hunch is shifting from Tackle to Guard is a lot easier than making the shift from S to CB or vice versa. I could be off base on that, but the OL seems to have guys that are able to play just about any position and you see that less out of guys playing in the secondary.

 

[Half Empty]

Mods = time to merge?

Purely out of curiosity (couldn't find a quick way to message the Disagree rater), if we have threads titled 2018-19 Free Agent Thread and 2018 Free Agents to Target and then speakhands had to post My list, copied from another thread: why wouldn't it reasonable to combine those threads? Obviously not important, other than letting me sleep at night, but suggestions as to why would be appreciated. Thanks. (Note, they are still separate threads, so... )

 

[Jerellh528]

I would prefer a similar approach to Free Agency as the one TT used this past year. More low to middle priced guys. Throw all your FA money at one guy and you are rolling the dice that he will stay healthy and productive and meanwhile you have 2 or 3 other positions that could have used a starter or more depth.

I tend to agree mostly, but I think we really need a lockdown number 1 cb, we have been too bad in the secondary for too long. If we can sign a playmaker there then I think we should do it. I don’t want another guy like house out there. I think the benefits outweigh the risks at cb right now especially with Rodgers’ age. Sign a guy like Johnson or fuller, draft another cb in the first 3 rounds along with a wr and then we should be okay. We also need to sign a tight end, draft an edge rusher early and then we can pretty much go a true bpa during the draft and any other free agent signings will be icing imo

 

[Jerellh528]

We are at about the same "pay grade" as far as being X and O guys.

My hunch is shifting from Tackle to Guard is a lot easier than making the shift from S to CB or vice versa. I could be off base on that, but the OL seems to have guys that are able to play just about any position and you see that less out of guys playing in the secondary.

And especially considering during tt’s tenure he specifically looked for guys who were versatile enough to play multiple positions on the line while drafting. That was a key thing for him on drafting a lineman. Secondary guys imo tend to be more specialists, Hell some now even only play on one side of the field.

 

[Dantés]

I certainly think that a veteran corner should be the #1 FA priority. As for which one, I have a hard time deciding. I would hope that they would just have Pettine break down the tape and give them his preferences.

Trumaine Johnson is the best of the options, if he actually makes it to FA, but he also comes with some concerns. There’s a reason that he hasn’t received a long term deal yet.

I was at UM at the same time as he was. He had a reputation as something of a knucklehead who got himself into some trouble. That’s true of a lot of people in college, so I’m not trying to give him a permanent label. But he’s a super talented player at a critical position and hasn’t been locked up, which tells me that his team has a level of concern over giving him long term money.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm keeping my eye on the Rams and what they do with what seems like some major cap decisions on solid defensive players. If they try to resign Trumaine Johnson and want to lock down Aaron Donald, that is going to force them to cut lose or not resign some pretty decent players.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

threads have been merged.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

threads have been merged.

Awesome.....or were you talking about that sewing project you have been working on?

 

[speakhands]

Are these not red flags?

Yes, of course, but neither has been nearly plagued as, say, Nick Perry.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

Awesome.....or were you talking about that sewing project you have been working on?

I can always rely on you.....lol

 

[Joseph Willcome]

Number one we have to trade Brett Hundley and get rid of him quickly and pick up a good draft pick that way

 

[thequick12]

1. Trumaine Johnson 6-2 204 28 gonna be expensive but hes a top 15 cb he's got good size and athletic ability would be nice along with king and randall.
2. Malcom Butler 5-10 187 28 also gonna be expensive also top 15 an interesting option he ran a 4.62 coming out which likely led to ufa status but in 2017 he recorded one of the top 5 speeds in the league all season at 22 mph. So he's plenty fast but he's a bit small.
3. Kyle Fuller 6-0 190 26 he's 2 years younger than the first 2 hes also gonna be cheaper he might be my pick for that reason he's the best value could be just as good as top 2 and isn't gonna cost 12 million a year
4. Patrick Robinson 5-11 191 30 coming off his best season as a pro former first round pick has plenty of speed. Might be too expensive for being such an inconsistent player.
5. Tramon Williams 6-0 192 35 old pro has played in pettines system had a good year in 2017 in Arizona. Cb is a position were some old guys excel and might be good to have a vet whose played in the new system.

Safety
1. Morgan Burnett 6-1209 29 clearly the best of the group but he is getting old and injuries have cost him games in recent seasons.
2. Tre Boston 6-0 204 25 had 79 tackles and 5 int in 2017 more of a pure free safety than Burnett would do well as the single high in Pettine s defense.
3. Terrance Brooks 5-11 198 26 the most intriguing of the free agent options Brooks has Nick Collins type play making potential and speed. He could be what the secondary has been missing since Collins was forced to retire. He'll be less expensive than the top 2.
4. Eric Reid 6-1 213 26 along with Brooks has the most athletic ability of the group also well equipped for the single high play maker role like Brooks and Boston will be less expensive.
5. Lamarcus Joyner 5-8 184 27 had a decent 2017 with 3 interceptions but he's way too small and I'd be disappointed if he was signed.

My preference at safety would be to resign Burnett because I know he's smart and he'll pick up the new system easily. But if that's not in the cards I'd go for Terrance Brooks he's got real speed and just hasn't played much in his 4 year career. I really think he could have a breakout year as the single high in Pettines system. Boston would be good too I just think he might get more cash than Burnett and I'm not sure that's feasible.

At cornerback I'd go with Johnson if money weren't an issue but since he's gonna get a 40 million dollar deal I'd go with fuller as my first option. He's fast and athletic with good ball skills and size and he's 2 years younger. He's gonna get a deal similar to Hayward 3 years 15 million which seems reasonable. I wouldn't be against Williams as he's a savy vet with good ball skills and experience in Pettines system.

 

[elcid]

Brent Grimes on a cheap deal anyone?

On a slightly different note, given that we have about 12 picks and there seems to be an unanimous concensus here that we have 5 positional needs (imo opinion in this order) in EDGE, CB, WR, OL, TE, would you all agree with double dipping in each position during the draft?

 

[Mondio]

Number one we have to trade Brett Hundley and get rid of him quickly and pick up a good draft pick that way

a 1st and 2nd should do it, eh? Come on, nobody is trading for Hundley. Maybe a 6th or 7th on a good day after some GM catches a big whiff of a unicorn fart and is still under it's effects. He's going to be our #2 QB again and unless we have some phenom like Rodgers fall again, it will be a lower round draft pick or an available vet brought in to compete with him for the position.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

a 1st and 2nd should do it, eh? Come on, nobody is trading for Hundley. Maybe a 6th or 7th on a good day after some GM catches a big whiff of a unicorn fart and is still under it's effects. He's going to be our #2 QB again and unless we have some phenom like Rodgers fall again, it will be a lower round draft pick or an available vet brought in to compete with him for the position.

You beat me to it. I would add, I see no reason why the Packers would trade Hundley at this point, unless that Unicorn DID fart. While I would prefer a better #2 to back up AR, the crap pick that someone would offer us at this point for Hundley wouldn't be worth the gamble of not having a guy ready to go behind AR. A draft pick probably wouldn't be ready to step right in and do better than Hundley. The only scenario I see Hundley being traded away for whatever scrap they can get for him, would be a FA Vet QB being signed and the Packers are confident that he play will be better than that of Hundleys.

 

[Mondio]

Although, there is a lot of really bad QB play around the league, and those guys are starters

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm hesitant to use the word "veteran" when it comes to Hundley, buy yes, he is probably better than what may be available in the way of "reasonably" priced FA vets QB's.

Even a guy like Cutler, cost the Dolphins $10M. Although as it turns out, I would have rather have had Cutler this year, I don't think that is the kind of money the Packers will want to or probably should have to spend with Hundley under contract one more year. Also, I'm not so sure that Cutler would have "saved" the 2017 season for the Packers.

The Packers need to get better as a team and if AR goes down again, they can't expect the #2 QB to carry the team, it will have to be the team that carries the #2.

 

[Poppa San]

Brent Grimes on a cheap deal anyone?

On a slightly different note, given that we have about 12 picks and there seems to be an unanimous concensus here that we have 5 positional needs (imo opinion in this order) in EDGE, CB, WR, OL, TE, would you all agree with double dipping in each position during the draft?

OL? I rate the need at OL the same as at QB. Depth. That said, I'd expect one or two day three picks on the O-line.

 

[GleefulGary]

The problem with Brent Grimes is that his wife comes with him.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The problem with Brent Grimes is that his wife comes with him.

You mean this "nice" woman?

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[gopkrs]

Revis might be available. Probably not as good as he used to be. Probably one of the best at his position ever. I think he can still play.

 

[Jed12]

Why would Watkins take a cheap 1 year deal?

Did **** all in LA and his play hasn’t warranted big money?.... I don’t see the Rams bringing him back and know one else is going to land him a 3-4 year deal

 

[Dantés]

The more I look at this free agent class of corners, the more I want Kyle Fuller.

1) He's exceptionally talented. At the combine, he was 6'0" 190 lbs and ran a 4.4 flat. His jumps were both 80+%. His agility work was average. He has long arms and big hands.

2) He's young. He turns 26 next month. A four year deal would not even see his age 30 season.

3) He's undervalued. Drafted in 2014, Fuller struggled as a rookie. He was solid in his second campaign, showing a big step forward. Then he missed all of 2016 with an injury. The Bears declined his 5th year option. But when he came back this last season, he was great. He had taken the next step. But it seems that the lost season is clouding the issue. $ being equal, I would take him over Trumaine Johnson and Malcolm Butler. But it's looking like he may get less than those guys.

4) He makes the Pack better while weakening a division rival. It never hurts to harm an NFCN team while bolstering your own roster.

I really hope that the Bears let this guy hit the market and if he does, I hope that Ball and the Gute come after him hard.

As far as money goes, I think Bouye's contract can be instructive. He got 5 years, 67.5M after what was really just one great season. Fuller is similar, with the caveat that his 2017 was not as good as Bouye's 2016. I would come out strong on Fuller and offer 4 years, 44M with 22 guaranteed. That's 11M annually compared to Bouye's 13.5M. Cutting Nelson would essentially negate the cap implication.