2020 Offseason

[4zone]

This can't be stressed enough. We saw what happened way back before Cook, when TT and MM were content on just having unproven or not that great of TE's on the field. Then we saw the Packers treat the WR position much the same last season, with only Adams being your sure thing.

Obviously, it would be nice to address both positions (WR and TE) but the Packers are faced with the similar problem on the other side of the ball with the DL and at ILB. So not enough cash resources or top picks to double up on all 4 of those positions, but something is going to be put towards all 4 I think. Will be interesting to see what Gute and the Packers do.

Problem is, there are only so many top tier TEs out there. You can't just wish one out of thin air.

 

[4zone]

Anyone think we can land Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech in Rd 2? What about taking a shot at Dayton TE Adam Trautman in Rd 1? Word was he dominated the big boys at the Sr Bowl.

 

[4zone]

Here's a wild card I would love to see us take, Lynn Bowden, from Kentucky. A WR who was forced into their QB position by injuries to there #1 & #2. Can pass, can run, can return and, oh by the way, he can catch too. Sounds like a real dangerous guy if you have a coach, like the Saints have, who can find ways to creatively use him.

 

[XPack]

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/projected-contracts-for-notable-free-agents-at-positions-of-need-302

Projected Contracts for Notable Free Agents at Key Positions

Wide Receiver

A.J. Green: 2 years - $18.25 million
Emmanuel Sanders: 2 years - $20.04 million
Amari Cooper: 5 years - $98.59 million
Robby Anderson: 4 years - $48.15 million
Seth Roberts: 2 years - $14.23 million

Inside Linebacker

Patrick Onwuasor: 4 years - $19.29 million
Blake Martinez: 5 years - $81.79 million

Defensive Tackle

Jordan Phillips: 3 years - $18.57 million
Michael Pierce: 2 years - $9.51 million
Shelby Harris: 3 years - $37.02 million
Danny Shelton: 3 years - $14.31 million
Zach Kerr: 2 years - $8.14 million
Javon Hargrave: 5 years - $73.64 million
D.J. Reader: 5 years - $59.73 million

Tackle

Bryan Bulaga: 3 years - $30.45 million
Jack Conklin: 6 years - 90.16 million

Tight End

Greg Olsen: 2 years - $10.50 million
Eric Ebron: 4 years - $29.91 million
Hunter Henry: 4 years - $35.63 million
Darren Fells: 1 year - $4.39 million
Austin Hooper: 5 years - $49.92 million

Cornerback

Chris Harris: 3 years - $33.28 million
Trae Waynes: 3 years - $25.25 million
Mackensie Alexander: 3 years - $25.20 million

 

[XPack]

@longtimefan can you add FA discussion to thread title too? Was looking for a FA thread and couldn't find it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Blake Martinez: 5 years - $81.79 million

I have a bridge over Unicorn Valley that I would like to sell the team that pays him THAT! Let's hope its the Vikings or Bears.

Tight End

Greg Olsen: 2 years - $10.50 million
Eric Ebron: 4 years - $29.91 million
Hunter Henry: 4 years - $35.63 million
Darren Fells: 1 year - $4.39 million
Austin Hooper: 5 years - $49.92 million

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the 49ers don't rework Kittles deal, before Free Agency starts. If they do, the cost of a TE might explode exponentially.

 

[Calvin]

Blake Martinez: 5 years - $81.79 million

LOL ROFL

 

[GleefulGary]

Blake Martinez: 5 years - $81.79 million

LOL ROFL

Ain't nobody paying him that! I wouldn't even do half that!

 

[Mondio]

Ain't nobody paying him that! I wouldn't even do half that!

8 million guaranteed and the last 2 seasons each with a 35 million dollar salary maybe might see that "deal" signed.

 

[XPack]

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the 49ers don't rework Kittles deal, before Free Agency starts.

They'd let Jimmy G leave before Kittle! Market going to get ruined.

 

[XPack]

Blake Martinez: 5 years - $81.79 million

LOL ROFL

That figure is actually from Sportrac.com

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/blake-martinez-19085/market-value/

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

They'd let Jimmy G leave before Kittle! Market going to get ruined.

Yup, Kittle will get somewhere in the $13-15M per range and that will just escalate all the other Free Agent TE contracts. Which is why I said that I hope the 49'ers do it AFTER free agency is done.

Hell, it won't be long before Jimmy Grahams $10M per will look like a bargain!

 

[longtimefan]

@longtimefan can you add FA discussion to thread title too? Was looking for a FA thread and couldn't find it.

Tell me or @Poppa San @Zartan

Exactly what you want

 

[XPack]

Just to add "Free Agency Discussion" to thread title. I was looking for a FA thread and suppose this is it.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I do not want them to sign Blake Martinez at all. When the Packers decide to get faster and athletic at MLB they actually may be able to have a top 10 defense. Martinez does not get off blocks well and a ton of his tackles come downfield. He is a liability in coverage as well. No thanks. I’d rather see what Ty Summers can do.

Mason Crosby: He’s very serviceable at this point of his career but he’s not as reliable as guys like Justin Tucker, Robbie Gould, or Matt Prater. If they can bring him back cheap then I won’t mind. However they don’t need to pay him like a top tier kicker anymore.

Kenny Clark is a must resign. The guy is still only 22 yrs old and will get better.

Any wr that’s hitting the market isn’t worth bringing back. I like Kumerow but it is what it is. Allison is useless. I wish they could move on from MVS as well and just rebuild the entire WR core outside of Lazzard and Adams.

Jimmy Graham: Cut him periods.

Bryan Bulaga: nope. Lucas Patrick can replace him.

2 small issues with your thread...1.) I think Crosby's personal life gets in the way of his performance, and sometimes his performance snowballs. This might be a sports psychology issue more than ability, if so he's better than every guy you named. If not, then I would agree with you. 2.) Lucas Patrick can NOT replace Bulaga, though I love the idea of Bulaga not comin' back.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Lucas Patrick can NOT replace Bulaga, though I love the idea of Bulaga not comin' back.

I'm not in favor of the Packers offering Bulaga a ton of money to re-sign but there's no reason to love the idea of him not coming back.

It would add another position to the list of having to be addressed this offseason.

 

[gopkrs]

Since I got lambasted by a couple of people re: my wanting to put Jenkins at center and find another guard; I thought I would at least give my reasons. I have always thought that a great center is more difficult to find and has a greater impact on the running game than a great guard. I have also always thought that it is a position where a lot of coaches try to just get by because they can plug someone in and if they are OK; then the coaches are happy and they think they saved a buck. Jenkins was reportedly an excellent center in college with some scouts saying center is his best position. So I am thinking if he can be even a better center than a guard; then that is a good way to go.

 

[tynimiller]

ILB Free Agents thoughts....

So we all know the clear best is Littleton - he combines youth, skillset of coverage and still growth set to occur IMO....however what I'm curious of is just how much better folks in the know feel he is over Joe Schobert. Joe like Blake was a mid-round pick, but unlike Blake IMO has not had things forced to him to clean up like Blake has and I'm more impressed with what Joe has done by far on Cleveland's roster. However, let's say the Browns resign him (I think most likely) and Littleton simply is too expensive for us....do we look to ILB at all in FA?

While none of these guys are ideal...I do like aspects of the following:

Nick Kwiatkoski (CHI) - Filled in well when Trevathan went down with injury. Is the rawest of the four guys I'm listing, but I'd venture is the most affordable out of them. Not asked to a huge work load (played just shy of 50% of the snaps last year) but is an all around playmaker I'd argue is a slight upgrade in multiple categories to Blake...but not huge. Paired with a complementary young ILB drafted this IMO is worst case a lateral move on from Blake.

Danny Trevathan (CHI) - No doubt many remember the times quite a few of us wanted Trevathan from the Broncos...but the Bears got him. We are now a few years removed, but Trevathan is still a threat to RBs everywhere and if Gute and Co. decides the importance of run stuffing is their desire Trevathan is an upgrade again like Nick in multiple aspects IMO over Blake...and again I see this as a slight upgrade over Blake.

Nick Vigil (CIN) - Vigil is a curious one for me that intrigues me. As we know finding that all around top to bottom STUD ILB capable of covering and run stuffing in the draft is tough outside round 1...however a slight project or more all around guy lacking the coverage sharpness is more likely....enter Vigil paired with a 2nd or 3rd round ILB could do the trick. Vigil pass skills are to some the best of the FAs out there...but his weak point despite his tackle totals is just that tackling. I don't think Vigil is going to garner a very high price tag and this could just be the route Gute and Co. go with the plan to not have to feel they have to push for a ILB in the first round (possibly even having to trade up).

**John Bostic (WAS) - Let's dabble back into the Washington well (P Smith) possibly. Being signed in training camp, Bostic went on to show he is far from being done with his NFL career, and to many is that good at all, great at none type guy. I'm not sure what we could expect from Bostic and this is the final one listed for a reason...do I have faith in this scenario unless we get a Patrick Queen or Murray type guy in the draft.....possibly not. However, we cannot afford to let Blake walk and at minimum not plug the hole left...Bostic could at worst case serve as that plug.


I know the post is centered solely upon ILBs...but a lot of where my opinion lies is dependent on some other chips and how they fall....do we resign guys like Bulaga, Crosby and Tramon? If yes, and no cutting of Linsley or another for savings....I suspect you can for sure cross off Littleton, Schobert and probably Trevathan off. This off season intrigues me given the close proximity of success we just experienced...

 

[GleefulGary]

2 small issues with your thread...1.) I think Crosby's personal life gets in the way of his performance, and sometimes his performance snowballs. This might be a sports psychology issue more than ability, if so he's better than every guy you named. If not, then I would agree with you. 2.) Lucas Patrick can NOT replace Bulaga, though I love the idea of Bulaga not comin' back.

You mean like this year when his wife and sister-in-law got cancer, his sister-in-law died, and he only missed 2 FG's? That what you mean?

 

[Mondio]

You mean like this year when his wife and sister-in-law got cancer, his sister-in-law died, and he only missed 2 FG's? That what you mean?

I was going to point that out as well. I mean the guy went thru as much mentally this year as most could endure and was almost perfect. Seems like a perfect time to bring in to question his mental toughness? Then considered who was making the statement and it made sense

 

[tynimiller]

2 small issues with your thread...1.) I think Crosby's personal life gets in the way of his performance, and sometimes his performance snowballs. This might be a sports psychology issue more than ability, if so he's better than every guy you named. If not, then I would agree with you.

I'm a fan of drinking...but clearly I'm not on your level.

 

[tynimiller]

Thoughts....Mike Daniels brought back on a cheap deal as a depth and support guy. I could see this as a much lesser degree type re-signing Tramon type situation. If Daniels is wanting starter money I don't think ANY team is gonna do it, he is past that. But as a depth signing....thoughts? I'm mixed on it...but someone asked me the other day and I really wasn't sure of what I feel his value is anymore..but not entirely against it either.

 

[Mondio]

Big man with a body breaking down? i wouldn't expect much. Vet minimum would be my limit and even then i'd hope he was replaceable before the 53 was set. I don't think he's a very good option

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Thoughts....Mike Daniels brought back on a cheap deal as a depth and support guy. I could see this as a much lesser degree type re-signing Tramon type situation. If Daniels is wanting starter money I don't think ANY team is gonna do it, he is past that. But as a depth signing....thoughts? I'm mixed on it...but someone asked me the other day and I really wasn't sure of what I feel his value is anymore..but not entirely against it either.

I was Happy to see Mike shakedown the Lions organization for $9.1M last year, but as Mondio said, he isn't worth much more than Vet Min. and some playing incentives. Packers need to speed up the defensive line, not slow it down. I hope they don't have to look for old castoffs just to plug holes.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/projected-contracts-for-notable-free-agents-at-positions-of-need-302

Projected Contracts for Notable Free Agents at Key Positions

Wide Receiver

A.J. Green: 2 years - $18.25 million

Tight End

Hunter Henry: 4 years - $35.63 million

I would be ecstatic if the Packers could actually sign either of these players to those deals. Green would obviously need to be passed by the medical staff but he and Adams would be an amazing WR duo while Henry is one of the better, young TEs in the NFL.