2025 NFL Free Agency

[SudsMcBucky]

If Gluten is going to go after a WR in FA, it needs to be Godwin imo. He will command the attention of an opposing D. Problem is, the Bucs want him back and it sounds like he wants to stay.

That leaves Tee Higgins, who is gonna get paid by somebody far more than he is worth. I don't see how the Bengals can pay him, as they will make Chase the highest paid WR in football.

So he will likely be available. I just don't see it happening in GB, and not even sure I want it to happen.

So unless someone on the roster takes a huge leap, that leaves the draft. A trade seems unlikely.

If someone on the forum has a more optimistic outlook on bringing in a veteran WR, I'd love to hear it.

The problem with Godwin is he's probably north of $20 million per, so he doesn't fit what OldSchool was looking to accomplish.

 

[tynimiller]

Per discussion over on Aaron Jones thread that shifted entirely to WR discussions...

A few names folks might find interesting out there that might be more budget related than the MVS or Lazard even type moves...

Dyami Brown - Washington strongly seems to going to let him walk as he just never turned into what they hoped. Now this past season he saw the most snaps he'd seen and produced the most yards he has in a while but with McLaurin, Zaccheaus and Brown all getting more snaps plus Luke MCcaffrey now there it's just not in the cards for a resign. He ran a 4.45 but is an experience deep catcher, but isn't a blazer like many...his long speed is better than his burst. Could be a real cheap option where you hope he lives up to his potential ceiling instead of floor more so. Spotrac says $1.9M AAV

Tyler Johnson - This thick great at contested catch guy many of us loved for a Day3 flyer back in his draft...was on his third team this past year and found a role in their offense albeit limited - did however have four games with 5 or more targets...he is not a deep threat but a route and size winning possession WR. Honestly, he is a perfect low budget likely one year league minimum type guy I'd love to see us bring in. Reminds me a lot of Lazard type guy looking for a chance. Spotrac doesn't list value estimate

Josh Palmer - This guy TN prospect ran slower than a lot of us pundits thought he would (4.51) but his frame is solid at 6'1' and 210 lbs frame. He wins often with his technique and breaks. He became a very reliable support WR in the Chargers system this year being targeted 4 or more times on ten different occasions. His yards per reception of 15 yards illustrates his ability to make space without elite speed (a pads is quicker than shorts type)....fairly sure handed over his years. He could be that insurance addition type guy that just slides right in as your rotational depth guys, but is still very young at just 25 years old...he's intriguing to me...He's put up 2287 yards over four years which is 5th amongst his draft class and except his rookie year has produced 500 yards or more. Spotrac says $4.3M AAV

Van Jefferson - This might be the route, chain mover of my choice if we go with a younger less known prospect. He was drafted in the second round by the Rams but was traded from the Rams to the Falcons who then later traded him to the Steelers. If you look back at his sophomore season in the league when the Rams had him start 17 games he put up 802 yards, 16.0 yards per reception, 6 TDs on 89 targets. A route technician that simply put has been in some hard situations having to slide all around. At his pro day he was clocked at a 4.39 so he has some juice, but his route abilities is what attracted me when he was a prospect in the draft. If you asked me who of these four I like I'd say him...cost isn't going to be crazy so risk is low, yet potential is there and in GB he won't be asked to do too much. Spotrac says market value is $1.8M AAV

 

[Heyjoe4]

Per discussion over on Aaron Jones thread that shifted entirely to WR discussions...

A few names folks might find interesting out there that might be more budget related than the MVS or Lazard even type moves...

Dyami Brown - Washington strongly seems to going to let him walk as he just never turned into what they hoped. Now this past season he saw the most snaps he'd seen and produced the most yards he has in a while but with McLaurin, Zaccheaus and Brown all getting more snaps plus Luke MCcaffrey now there it's just not in the cards for a resign. He ran a 4.45 but is an experience deep catcher, but isn't a blazer like many...his long speed is better than his burst. Could be a real cheap option where you hope he lives up to his potential ceiling instead of floor more so. Spotrac says $1.9M AAV

Tyler Johnson - This thick great at contested catch guy many of us loved for a Day3 flyer back in his draft...was on his third team this past year and found a role in their offense albeit limited - did however have four games with 5 or more targets...he is not a deep threat but a route and size winning possession WR. Honestly, he is a perfect low budget likely one year league minimum type guy I'd love to see us bring in. Reminds me a lot of Lazard type guy looking for a chance. Spotrac doesn't list value estimate

Josh Palmer - This guy TN prospect ran slower than a lot of us pundits thought he would (4.51) but his frame is solid at 6'1' and 210 lbs frame. He wins often with his technique and breaks. He became a very reliable support WR in the Chargers system this year being targeted 4 or more times on ten different occasions. His yards per reception of 15 yards illustrates his ability to make space without elite speed (a pads is quicker than shorts type)....fairly sure handed over his years. He could be that insurance addition type guy that just slides right in as your rotational depth guys, but is still very young at just 25 years old...he's intriguing to me...He's put up 2287 yards over four years which is 5th amongst his draft class and except his rookie year has produced 500 yards or more. Spotrac says $4.3M AAV

Van Jefferson - This might be the route, chain mover of my choice if we go with a younger less known prospect. He was drafted in the second round by the Rams but was traded from the Rams to the Falcons who then later traded him to the Steelers. If you look back at his sophomore season in the league when the Rams had him start 17 games he put up 802 yards, 16.0 yards per reception, 6 TDs on 89 targets. A route technician that simply put has been in some hard situations having to slide all around. At his pro day he was clocked at a 4.39 so he has some juice, but his route abilities is what attracted me when he was a prospect in the draft. If you asked me who of these four I like I'd say him...cost isn't going to be crazy so risk is low, yet potential is there and in GB he won't be asked to do too much. Spotrac says market value is $1.8M AAV

You mentioned Darius Slayton of the NYG. Any idea what his AAV might be?

 

[tynimiller]

You mentioned Darius Slayton of the NYG. Any idea what his AAV might be?

Estimated 15.8 AAV, he's a much different tier and level of player though.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Estimated 15.8 AAV, he's a much different tier and level of player though.

Thanks. Seems like another Giant who might thrive with a change of scenery.

 

[McKnowledge]

I think this year's off season is the most important in GB history.

I don't know if it's the most important, but it is a turning point in the history of this organization.

There could be a lot of changes from the players to the front office, including coaches if next season doesn't yield a deep playoff run.

 

[tynimiller]

In history….thats just a take which I personally can’t even kinda understand.

For sure maybe in the last couple…but somehow making it through the last few with HOF wideout leaving and then walking from a first ballot HOF QB and somehow still building a winner twice….

 

[Sanguine camper]

I'm not following on your assertion that Morgan is likely to miss more games. Guys get injured and lose significant time, sometimes an entire season. Anyway not a big deal but I don't know why you expect Morgan will continue to be injured.

The Packers do need better iDL guys and an Edge rusher(s). And CB is what I consider the #1 need. So I'd flip Round 1 and Round 3 based on your list.

Guys like Morgan and Musgrave who missed time in college and then started their career missing lots of games are more likely to continue to miss games than players who have a history of getting hurt. Some guys are glass and other other rawhide.

 

[tynimiller]

Guys like Morgan and Musgrave who missed time in college and then started their career missing lots of games are more likely to continue to miss games than players who have a history of getting hurt. Some guys are glass and other other rawhide.

I think you need to double check your historical data on Morgan in college.

 

[Sanguine camper]

I think you need to double check your historical data on Morgan in college.

Jordan Morgan had a serious season ending knee injury in college that required surgery.

I wish RAS scores also took into consideration durability. I don't know what the cutoff would be, but the saying goes if you can't stay healthy in college you aren't going to get better in the NFL. While there are always exceptions, I don't think it's a fluke that Musgrave, Morgan and Lloyd all had serious injuries in college and continued that trend in the pros.

 

[tynimiller]

Jordan Morgan had a serious season ending knee injury in college that required surgery.

I wish RAS scores also took into consideration durability. I don't know what the cutoff would be, but the saying goes if you can't stay healthy in college you aren't going to get better in the NFL. While there are always exceptions, I don't think it's a fluke that Musgrave, Morgan and Lloyd all had serious injuries in college and continued that trend in the pros.

Dude he got injured and then rattled off three straight healthy years to finish out his college career.

Sorry that’s not some red flag.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don't know if it's the most important, but it is a turning point in the history of this organization.

There could be a lot of changes from the players to the front office, including coaches if next season doesn't yield a deep playoff run.

You hit on the main point, imo - a deep playoff run is expected this year. Love enters his third year as a starter, and this was widely considered to be the time when the Packers would be ready for a SB push.

We've all shared our opinions on offseason moves - FA, draft, trade(s) - and that is in Gluten's very capable hands (and the creativity of Russ Ball for cap management).

The Packers have been the youngest team in the NFL for the past two seasons, I think. So it is time for that experience, including key additions before the 2024 season in Jacobs and McKinney and a solid draft class, to gel and integrate with needed off season additions at CB, Edge/DL, and WR.

I try not to set my expectations too high, but this year I am expecting a lot from the Packers.

 

[tynimiller]

I think the sad fact is, GB could build an incredible force....make it to the NFCCG and be in a dog fight like the Bills were and lose and all bloody hell will break lose...or maybe we even make it to the SB and lose...it will be hilarious how simple decisions in some minds would have guaranteed a win.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think the sad fact is, GB could build an incredible force....make it to the NFCCG and be in a dog fight like the Bills were and lose and all bloody hell will break lose...or maybe we even make it to the SB and lose...it will be hilarious how simple decisions in some minds would have guaranteed a win.

Agreed. I'm probably foolish to have any expectations at all. But hey, a guy can certainly hope.

And there is good reason not to set expectations too high - the unpredictability of the nature and severity of injuries. The Lions were the perfect illustration last season. Their D was clobbered by injuries by the time the playoffs started. They may have been looking past the Commanders a bit, but I think they were done in by injuries.

A Lions' fan would have had high expectations going into last season. So maybe it's best to hope for the best, and if the worst comes - well Packer fans have a lot of experience with that since the last SB win in 2011 - deal with it.

Now I'm way ahead of myself. Back to topics a little closer to today.

 

[tynimiller]

I still think if Jenkins doesn't get injured there is a decent chance we pushed a W out in the playoffs...

We are a contender.
We can get better.

We stay healthy - we absolutely can be in the mix in 2025.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I still think if Jenkins doesn't get injured there is a decent chance we pushed a W out in the playoffs...

We are a contender.
We can get better.

We stay healthy - we absolutely can be in the mix in 2025.

Good point. The early loss of Jenkins in the Philly game really hurt, a lot more than I would have expected. But the "depth" consisted of two rookies, and we know the rest. I think it's fair to say the Packers were Philly's biggest challenge on the path to the SB win. Cold comfort for Packer fans.

And yeah, the team is good now, it will get better, and the Packers will be in the mix. Hard to ask for more from a team.

 

[tynimiller]

Good point. The early loss of Jenkins in the Philly game really hurt, a lot more than I would have expected. But the "depth" consisted of two rookies, and we know the rest. I think it's fair to say the Packers were Philly's biggest challenge on the path to the SB win. Cold comfort for Packer fans.

And yeah, the team is good now, it will get better, and the Packers will be in the mix. Hard to ask for more from a team.

If Morgan wasn't hurt and was that guy to go in, we also might have made it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If Morgan wasn't hurt and was that guy to go in, we also might have made it.

It really was bad timing to have Morgan injured for most, arguably all, of his rookie year.

IMO part of Gluten's offseason personnel strategy should be to lock Tom in with a new contract. Depends somewhat on what else is done in FA, but locking up Tom now probably saves a few $$$, and is one less headache to deal with next offseason. And IMO Tom has earned it. Hopefully he'll be a fixture on the OL for a long time.

 

[tynimiller]

It really was bad timing to have Morgan injured for most, arguably all, of his rookie year.

IMO part of Gluten's offseason personnel strategy should be to lock Tom in with a new contract. Depends somewhat on what else is done in FA, but locking up Tom now probably saves a few $$$, and is one less headache to deal with next offseason. And IMO Tom has earned it. Hopefully he'll be a fixture on the OL for a long time.

Just for reference this was his rookie year:

Week 1 - split time at RG with Rhyan 27 snaps
Week 2 - split time again at RG with 20 snaps
Missed 3-5
Week 6 - split time again with 38 snaps
Week 7 - split time 13 snaps
Week 8 - split time 22 snaps
Week 9 - Started and played all 65 snaps at LG

Then went inactive and got shut down.

 

[GreenNGold_81]

Per discussion over on Aaron Jones thread that shifted entirely to WR discussions...

A few names folks might find interesting out there that might be more budget related than the MVS or Lazard even type moves...

Dyami Brown - Washington strongly seems to going to let him walk as he just never turned into what they hoped. Now this past season he saw the most snaps he'd seen and produced the most yards he has in a while but with McLaurin, Zaccheaus and Brown all getting more snaps plus Luke MCcaffrey now there it's just not in the cards for a resign. He ran a 4.45 but is an experience deep catcher, but isn't a blazer like many...his long speed is better than his burst. Could be a real cheap option where you hope he lives up to his potential ceiling instead of floor more so. Spotrac says $1.9M AAV

Tyler Johnson - This thick great at contested catch guy many of us loved for a Day3 flyer back in his draft...was on his third team this past year and found a role in their offense albeit limited - did however have four games with 5 or more targets...he is not a deep threat but a route and size winning possession WR. Honestly, he is a perfect low budget likely one year league minimum type guy I'd love to see us bring in. Reminds me a lot of Lazard type guy looking for a chance. Spotrac doesn't list value estimate

Josh Palmer - This guy TN prospect ran slower than a lot of us pundits thought he would (4.51) but his frame is solid at 6'1' and 210 lbs frame. He wins often with his technique and breaks. He became a very reliable support WR in the Chargers system this year being targeted 4 or more times on ten different occasions. His yards per reception of 15 yards illustrates his ability to make space without elite speed (a pads is quicker than shorts type)....fairly sure handed over his years. He could be that insurance addition type guy that just slides right in as your rotational depth guys, but is still very young at just 25 years old...he's intriguing to me...He's put up 2287 yards over four years which is 5th amongst his draft class and except his rookie year has produced 500 yards or more. Spotrac says $4.3M AAV

Van Jefferson - This might be the route, chain mover of my choice if we go with a younger less known prospect. He was drafted in the second round by the Rams but was traded from the Rams to the Falcons who then later traded him to the Steelers. If you look back at his sophomore season in the league when the Rams had him start 17 games he put up 802 yards, 16.0 yards per reception, 6 TDs on 89 targets. A route technician that simply put has been in some hard situations having to slide all around. At his pro day he was clocked at a 4.39 so he has some juice, but his route abilities is what attracted me when he was a prospect in the draft. If you asked me who of these four I like I'd say him...cost isn't going to be crazy so risk is low, yet potential is there and in GB he won't be asked to do too much. Spotrac says market value is $1.8M AAV

I think if we're looking at discount bin WR's we'll probably just draft more WR's. None of these guys inspire confidence with a team trying to build a solid foundation of young players. I see Gutey either taking a big swing with a trade (free agent WR's this year again look pretty poor) or trying to repair the leaks in the WR room through the draft.

 

[tynimiller]

I think if we're looking at discount bin WR's we'll probably just draft more WR's. None of these guys inspire confidence with a team trying to build a solid foundation of young players. I see Gutey either taking a big swing with a trade (free agent WR's this year again look pretty poor) or trying to repair the leaks in the WR room through the draft.

Some of these guys are younger or within a year of Watson and Doubs age, main reason why they're listed and truthfully these types of signing likely come so cheap it isn't any more risky or costly than a draft pick measurably but you get a guy whose made things in the league happen a time or two.

Be shocked if any of these are types you sign prior to the draft anyways - apologies as assumed that would be assumed.

 

[Schultz]

I consider WR need #5 in the draft. If somebody falls that they like on day 2 I could see Gute selecting a WR. Otherwise, I expect a late round pick and a low salary signing after the draft. I lean to Watson (KC) to replace Watson.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

If Gluten is going to go after a WR in FA, it needs to be Godwin imo. He will command the attention of an opposing D. Problem is, the Bucs want him back and it sounds like he wants to stay.

That leaves Tee Higgins, who is gonna get paid by somebody far more than he is worth. I don't see how the Bengals can pay him, as they will make Chase the highest paid WR in football.

So he will likely be available. I just don't see it happening in GB, and not even sure I want it to happen.

So unless someone on the roster takes a huge leap, that leaves the draft. A trade seems unlikely.

If someone on the forum has a more optimistic outlook on bringing in a veteran WR, I'd love to hear it.

Godwin is primarily a slot receiver which is where Reed plays…packers need an outside receiver and Glute should trade for Metcalf.

 

[tynimiller]

Godwin is primarily a slot receiver which is where Reed plays…packers need an outside receiver and Glute should trade for Metcalf.

Godwin has saw success immensely both wide and inside, his last four mostly healthy seasons in snaps and where:

2023 - 335 slot / 655 wide - 1024 yards
2022 - 628 slot / 311 wide - 1023 yards
2021 - 509 slot / 303 wide - 1103 yards
2020 - 519 slot / 357 wide - 840 yards

 

[Heyjoe4]

Guys like Morgan and Musgrave who missed time in college and then started their career missing lots of games are more likely to continue to miss games than players who have a history of getting hurt. Some guys are glass and other other rawhide.

Did Morgan and Musgrave have injury histories in college?