2018 Free Agents to Target

[Jerellh528]

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.

Agree except I wouldn’t cut Nelson, if I had to I’d cut Cobb.

 

[Mondio]

Fuller has been on my list, but I think Fangio is staying on as DC in Chicago. I'm sure he knows fullers value and will lobby to have them retain him. If it was a wholesale change of coaches down there I'd like our chances, but he's going to want to keep one of his more valuable pieces on defense I think.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

What do people think about Nickell Coleman? Rams are pretty deep in the secondary and only paid him $855K on a one year contract last year. He played pretty well as a backup and spot starter at slot corner and can play outside in a pinch. Been in the NFL 5 years and is only 25.

His height, 5' 8" might be his biggest knock.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I do find it funny that anytime I look up information about a free agent and the article is written by a local reporter, almost always the phrase "hometown discount" is used. So I guess we aren't the only fans thinking that it actually exists!

 

[Dantés]

If they were going to pursue someone for the slot, I would prefer Breeland because of his ability to play outside if necessary.

 

[Dantés]

Fuller has been on my list, but I think Fangio is staying on as DC in Chicago. I'm sure he knows fullers value and will lobby to have them retain him. If it was a wholesale change of coaches down there I'd like our chances, but he's going to want to keep one of his more valuable pieces on defense I think.

This makes sense. Sad sense, but sense nonetheless.

But perhaps he would like to test the market and see if he can get out of that hole? They kind of spurned him when they declined the option. We'll see.

 

[Snoops]

We either sign some big name CB or someone with extremely high potential example last year Aj Bouye one good season etc but got paid like a king... look how that turned out... depth is nice but don’t sign a shrub or two and pray they are starting material.. take a chance

 

[gbgary]

they might have the cap space to get a couple of good players that are actually upgrades...but the cuts they may have to make will probably off-set any gains in free agency...and then there's the Rodgers extension. not sure how that will impact things cap wise. they might be better off putting that off another year. see how his right arm is. such a dicey situation.

 

[gbgary]

how about keenum as AR's backup? naw...he'll end up a starter making semi-big bucks somewhere. maybe jacksonville.

 

[Half Empty]

Same with Bradford and Bridgewater

 

[mradtke66]

how about keenum as AR's backup? naw...he'll end up a starter making semi-big bucks somewhere. maybe jacksonville.

Which is kind of the problem. A journeyman-level backup is getting rare enough, they'll be making near-starter or low-level-starter money.

I don't know too many teams that can afford to actually pay their backups if they have to actually pay their starting QB. The Vikings can, but who else?

 

[Snoops]

Drew Stanton if he isn’t the starter for Arizona would be a good backup or like above said Bradford even idk fitz

 

[Snoops]

Either way they are gonna have to pay a decent amount for a back up

 

[Alex]

Drew Stanton if he isn’t the starter for Arizona would be a good backup or like above said Bradford even idk fitz

No way. He's made of glass. If you pick him up you better have a good 3rd stringer while you're at it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The thing about veteran journeymen QB's you really don't know just how good they are going to be or not be, until you are forced to play them. Guys like Foles and Keenum would still be viewed as backups had they not have had an opportunity to play this year or if they hadn't played that great when they did. A guy like Jay Cutler might be viewed as a solid #2 option in 2018, but you may find out halfway through the season, he isn't.

So yes, those young QB' and Vet QB's who prove their value through their play may get a shot at starting money with teams in search of a starter. But there are only 32 starting jobs each year and way more capable #2 QB's than that, it is the job of the Packers to find the next Foles or Keenum and get them on the team. Otherwise, you stand pat with Hundley and hope his experience this year made him a better QB and more importantly, the rest of the team around Hundley improves, just in case he is called into service again.

 

[gbgary]

foles is only making $6m & change per year. brittle bradford might be had for 4-5 maybe...although i'd rather have someone with some legs.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

foles is only making $6m & change per year. brittle bradford might be had for 4-5 maybe...although i'd rather have someone with some legs.

The Eagles have Foles under contract through the 2021 season, I smell a trade on the horizon. But even under his current contract (average annual salary of $5.5M), the perfect back-up IMO.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

The Packers need to improve the overall wuality of the rest of their team before worrying about adding a decent veteran backup quarterback. I'm absolutely convinced neither Foles nor Keenum would have had much success in Green Bay this season.

 

[PikeBadger]

The Packers need to improve the overall wuality of the rest of their team before worrying about adding a decent veteran backup quarterback. I'm absolutely convinced neither Foles nor Keenum would have had much success in Green Bay this season.

I think the offense created by McCarthy and Rodgers is difficult for any backup to run. This year showed me that all the rules must change in the offense when Rodgers is out for an extended period. That’s a huge disadvantage for us in that imo McCarthy isn’t very nimble in changing his thought processes.

 

[Mondio]

5.5 million is an acceptable sum when your other qb is a rookie and on a rookie contract. A first round 2nd overall pick contract, but still a rookie. Even at 5.5 million you could have 2 more of Carson wentzs before you hit Rodgers cap hit. This team needs to get stronger around the QB position. Plain and simple. Case Keenum isn't any ****ing better than Hundley and as soon as HE had to make plays and didn't have his team bailing him out it was over. If receivers catch the ball for Hundley in that last Vikings game, there's a better than average chance we win that game too. Anyway, not to make this another hundley thread, so I'll quit now.

But if we have 5 million dollars to spend, it better not be on a back up QB. I'd like a FA DB, a good one. and then go early on any of the following, Edge rusher, Dline ILB, safety or Oline. 2nd round and later get your TE's WR's and anything else you want. I don't see a lot happening in FA this year for us. Unless of course they cut some big cap guys, then it's possible. We might see some picks traded, but I don't see a lot of dollars going in FA. Maybe next year after they invest in a good draft and clear some cap space without the hits next year. Lots of moving parts.

 

[bigbubbatd]

foles is only making $6m & change per year. brittle bradford might be had for 4-5 maybe...although i'd rather have someone with some legs.

Bradford will get more than that if he can prove he is currently healthy. Teams are desperate for QBs. Look what guys like Glennon got last year

 

[Mondio]

There are a lot of bad QB's in this league compared to the guys in the middle even. Guys like Bradford, Keenum, etc are going to get good offers from other teams to come and compete for a starting job. A lot of these suck jobs were drafted to be the guy and aren't the guy or need a kick in the *** to become they guy. They aren't making a lot and spending some cash to put behind them is ok, as it still doesn't add up to what you're paying a top dog.

The Browns, The Cardinals, The Jets, The Bills, Broncos, Jacksonville, Tampa, I'd even throw Dallas in there. Dak came back to earth. Without a dominant run game, what is he? Those are just off the top of my head. There are lots of teams in need of a good starter and will give these guys a chance to start. I can see Bradford and Keenum both getting 10+ million though I wouldn't give Bradford 3 because he can't make it thru a season.

 

[Jerellh528]

Crazy how the two teams in the nfc championship game were using backup QBs, foles for the eagles and keenum for the vikes, just kinda shows how important that backup qb spot actually is.

 

[yooperpackfan]

Crazy how the two teams in the nfc championship game were using backup QBs, foles for the eagles and keenum for the vikes, just kinda shows how important that backup qb spot actually is.

Unfortunately the Green Bay Packers didn't give it much thought.

 

[Mondio]

Crazy how the two teams in the nfc championship game were using backup QBs, foles for the eagles and keenum for the vikes, just kinda shows how important that backup qb spot actually is.

I think it shows how nice it is to have a team that elevates their play to absorb a guy like that. Foles had a fantastic game last week. No doubt. but lots of guys have great games. Can he sustain it or given 6 games would people figure him out again? He hasn't done much of anything good since his 1 good year until last Sunday. Keenum? so much hype for a guy that never had it. He's lucky Thielen made so many huge grabs, as they weren't good passes that got there. Just a thrown up ball. The rest of the time he was throwing to wide open receivers because they took what defenses gave them. They never had to press on offense and when it was time for the offense to come alive he wasn't good. Bad decisions, bad throws. it was obvious in both of their final games. If MN didn't have that defense, Keenum would have been replaced with Bridgewater or Bradford he'd have had so many INT's. Great story, but let's not make him into something he's not. The Vikings got there with him, he didn't take them there. Now he did have a couple nice throws during the season for sure. So did Hundley. but the good ones are separated by what they can do when pressed into doing it. When the team knows your passing and they know you have to move the ball. When the defense is pressuring you as much as the opposing offense is, Keenum is not the guy.