Free Agency: Packers Should Green Bay Pursue?

[Do7]

Good lord you guys. We freaking made it to the NFC Championship. In our first year in a new system no less. Granted Rodgers didn't play well, but again outside of Adams no one played well in that game. We went 13-3 and yet we're somehow complaining about Rodgers.

 

[tynimiller]

On a side note, I had to look up Jeff Janis's stats just for old time sake. Poor guy, hasn't played in 2 years and he appears to be stuck for eternity on this site wearing a Browns Jersey. A team he never ended up even making.

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Jeff Janis

Height: 6-3 Weight: 219 Age: 28

Born: 6/24/1991 Oscoda , MI

College: Saginaw Valley State

Experience: 5 Seasons

REC 17

YDS 200

AVG 11.8

TDS 1

What is crazy he contributed well on special teams and Rodgers liked him...would have been interesting had his career in GB happened a few years later as who knows what he could have stepped into be.

 

[tynimiller]

Free Agency Scenario:

"In" team notable decisions

• Let Tramon walk...maybe even retire a Packer.
• Re-sign Crosby (already decided)
• Let Bulaga walk (hard)
• Sign Veldheer to a two year deal...OT becomes a plan in draft.
• Release Graham and Taylor
• Re-sign Marcedes Lewis maybe*
• Fackrell and Martinez walk without offers

"Outside" team decisions

• Sign Nick Kwiatkoski (ILB)
• Sign Bashaud Breeland (CB) ...this time do it for a few years.
• Sign Tyler Eifert* ...if healthy he still is a smart savvy TE receiving option and could be that FA dice roll that gives far more than his $ will demand.
• Sign a big run situation DL for help up front towards end of career but can contribute (think Mo Wilkerson had he stayed healthy)...a guy like Pierce from Ravens...

Enter the draft with only true dire need at WR, with OT right behind. Then look for ILB, DL, TE, CB also always at the front of thought.


This of course isn't my dream scenario...just more of a realistic possibility at the current time I think.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

1. It's time to invest a high pick in one.
2. Is there a possibility that said WR contributes year 1? Yes
3. Given the history of rookie WR's in GB, I wouldn't overly rely on #2.

So no, I am not ignoring the possibility of a rookie WR having an immediate impact, but what I am saying is that if I am Gute, I am not solely relying on it.

Just out of curiosity, who was the last rookie WR in Green Bay that had an immediate impact?

In my opinion the history of rookie wide receivers with Rodgers isn't relevant as the Packers had significant more talent at the position in every single year they drafted a WR in the first two rounds over the past 12 years.

As I've mentioned repeatedly I don't want to solely rely on a rookie WR to improve the receiving corps but Gutekunst to add Hooper in free agency.

Going after Hooper gives MLF time to see if Sternberger pans out?? I think it says that Sternberber did not pan out. That would be a big signing! Much rather go for other positions where we know we need help.

The Packers can't rely on Sternberger developing into an impact player after he did nothing to justify that during his rookie season. With rookies taking several years to develop at the position free agency is the way to go to address it.

That doesn't mean the team would give up on him by any means though.

Well Sternberger didn’t get many chances last year, so I’m not ready to call him a bust yet.

Because ILB is so weak, and cap space limited, if it came down to being able to afford Hooper or a guy like Corey Littleton, then I’d take Littleton. There’s not cap space for both.

There's no reason to consider Sternberger a bust by any means at this point.

Gutekunst and Ball could structure the contracts in a way to fit both Hooper and Littleton under the cap.

We have Mercedez for blocking and maybe Tonyan and Sternberger can block some also. I think Baylis has potential.

Lewis is currently a free agent. The Packers primarily need to add a receiving threat at the position though.

You point out Adams as an example and he’s a good one. It took 3 years before that “chemistry” was in place.

You have to consider that during Adams' rookie season Nelson and Cobb combined for 189 catches, 2,806 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns. Yet Adams had some games in which he had a huge impact as well.

He didn't perform up to expectations because of injuries during his second season.

 

[elcid]

Free Agency Scenario:

"In" team notable decisions

• Let Tramon walk...maybe even retire a Packer.
• Re-sign Crosby (already decided)
• Let Bulaga walk (hard)
• Sign Veldheer to a two year deal...OT becomes a plan in draft.
• Release Graham and Taylor
• Re-sign Marcedes Lewis maybe*
• Fackrell and Martinez walk without offers

"Outside" team decisions

• Sign Nick Kwiatkoski (ILB)
• Sign Bashaud Breeland (CB) ...this time do it for a few years.
• Sign Tyler Eifert* ...if healthy he still is a smart savvy TE receiving option and could be that FA dice roll that gives far more than his $ will demand.
• Sign a big run situation DL for help up front towards end of career but can contribute (think Mo Wilkerson had he stayed healthy)...a guy like Pierce from Ravens...

Enter the draft with only true dire need at WR, with OT right behind. Then look for ILB, DL, TE, CB also always at the front of thought.


This of course isn't my dream scenario...just more of a realistic possibility at the current time I think.

I am completely with you on everything man. The more and more I read on a potential deal for Bulaga, the more I am inclined to let him go. Apparently he would command a 4 year contract with 16-17m a year, and given his age, injury proneness and the other holes we have to fill with very limited cap space, it's a hard pass for me.

Sure, we won't find anyone as close in ability to Bryan, and I agree that AR's health is paramount. But we can't count on Bulaga to be healthy, and Bakh's new contract is also looming on the horizon. I'd much rather invest any saved money from this deal in a LT for 4 more years to come. Sign Veldheer and draft a OT within the first 3 rounds. Heck, we could even use some of the saved money on signing Hooper or Littleton/Schobert.

 

[tynimiller]

I am completely with you on everything man. The more and more I read on a potential deal for Bulaga, the more I am inclined to let him go. Apparently he would command a 4 year contract with 16-17m a year, and given his age, injury proneness and the other holes we have to fill with very limited cap space, it's a hard pass for me.

Sure, we won't find anyone as close in ability to Bryan, and I agree that AR's health is paramount. But we can't count on Bulaga to be healthy, and Bakh's new contract is also looming on the horizon. I'd much rather invest any saved money from this deal in a LT for 4 more years to come. Sign Veldheer and draft a OT within the first 3 rounds. Heck, we could even use some of the saved money on signing Hooper or Littleton/Schobert.

Crunching numbers and the unknown of what Breeland is going to run, and for that matter even Eifert I was unsure just how much possible space would be left cap wise. I'm uncomfortable rolling out another option which would be to release Linsley as well, assuring us the capital to pull in Hooper....but that would mean having 2 new faces along our starting offensive line (Patrick at center and Veldheer at RT) albeit not entirely new as both served in those roles this past season some.

I'm high on Veldheer if healthy there is a reason the genius coach in New England wanted to have him there....I don't want him for the future, just a year or two.

 

[tynimiller]

For those unfamiliar with Eifert

He has been in the league since 2013 on the roller coaster of a team also known as the Bengals.

A true 6'6' and around 250LB he is a large TE target with experience...his issue has been healthiness.

He has only played in double digit games 3 seasons out of his 7 currently. However, the 2019 campaign was the first time he was healthy. He has very sure hands with a lower than most drop percentage, and for a career has averaged over 10 yards a catch. Even his yards/target is high at 7.9 for his career.

Is he a Hooper, no. However, he is a guy that has proven on a terrible team and when healthy delivers numbers GB and Aaron would love to have. I'm all for us seeing if we can make Hooper fit fiscally....but behind Hooper presently Eifert is my guy.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

In my opinion the history of rookie wide receivers with Rodgers isn't relevant as the Packers had significant more talent at the position in every single year they drafted a WR in the first two rounds over the past 12 years.

While I see your point, that a high round picked rookie WR put on the current team will most likely get more opportunities and thus "better stats" then we have seen from previous high picks that played less. I am unsure that it will translate into better quality production. Basically, it could go either way. You could have a rookie that doesn't skip a beat between being a star in college and one in the NFL. A guy that instantly is a starter due to very little competition and he shines. Or you could have a rookie that struggles to learn the playbook, connect with Rodgers, isn't ready for the pressure of being a starter, is always matched against a #1 or #2 CB, etc. In other words, you may not know what you are getting until its too late and you have to count on it.

You are right though, when the Packers drafted Jordy, Cobb and Adams, they were coming to a team where they were the 4th or 5th guys in. Not fully needed yet, so really less pressure to instantly produce and more time to learn how to be an NFL WR from the shadows so to speak. I don't recall any of those 3 completely jumping out at me as rookies when they did get a chance to play, but maybe you have some stats that can tell us. Just looking at simple stats, I would say that going off of Catch rates and yds/catch, Cobb played the best, followed by Jordy and then Adams?

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Well both of those guys, as do most on the Free Agent list, have more experience than Lazard (36 catches). There are also other guys that will have a ton more experience. This isn't about replacing Lazard either. I think its more about taking a receiving group that besides Adams, doesn't have much and adding the experience of a Veteran. What I am hearing is that many of you are comfortable with:

1. Adams
2. Lazard
3. Rookie
4. MVS
5. ESB
6. ???

Will that work? It could. However if the funds are available and they can find a good match for the offense, I would prefer seeing a Vet FA slide into that #2 or 3 spot on the Depth chart.

Mind you, my assumption is that you are also adding Hooper in as a receiving option and, if not Hooper, then at least getting Ebron for less as a proven receiving-TE.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

his career in GB happened a few years later as who knows what he could have stepped into be.

Good point, Janis might have been the #2 WR on last years Packer team!

 

[tynimiller]

Good point, Janis might have been the #2 WR on last years Packer team!

Oh he for sure would have had his shot.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Mind you, my assumption is that you are also adding Hooper in as a receiving option and, if not Hooper, then at least getting Ebron for less as a proven receiving-TE.

As does mine.

So what happens when the Packers can't sign Hooper or Ebron? I think many people are assuming that an upgrade at TE is going to happen. Maybe the Packers feel Sternberger is ready to be the starter? Really not that much different than thinking Lazard is your #2 WR.

I am pretty sure Gute has a lot of contingency plans and guys he will be targeting in order. Given that a TE signing isn't a done deal, it wouldn't shock me if on of those plans includes a mid tier FA WR.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sign Bashaud Breeland (CB) ...this time do it for a few years.

I liked Breeland and wished the Packers hadn't let him walk after 1 season, but maybe he just wasn't a good fit in Green Bay or he didn't want to be in Green Bay? I also think his asking price is going to be much higher this time around and one that the Packers won't be able to afford.

 

[tynimiller]

I liked Breeland and wished the Packers hadn't let him walk after 1 season, but maybe he just wasn't a good fit in Green Bay or he didn't want to be in Green Bay? I also think his asking price is going to be much higher this time around and one that the Packers won't be able to afford.

Perhaps, but coming off our contract and then just $2Million last year, it is a viable thought he could be as expensive or affordable as Tramon was or would be.

 

[GleefulGary]

That's 70% of the other players on the field excluding Rodgers

I agree we need more talent. But for a QB that's getting paid as much as Rodgers he has to be able to elevate that other 30%

Do you think he didn't elevate Lazard? That he didn't elevate Allison? That he didn't elevate Graham, Lewis, Tonyan?

He's not going to make them Pro-Bowl caliber players. At some point, you can only do so much.

 

[GleefulGary]

Honestly not sure what point it would prove. That we on an internet forum arent capable of dissecting a defense in real time?

Does that mean we cant be critical of Blake Martinez because I'm pretty confident most wouldn't have a freaking clue who had the ball if you strapped a camera to his helmet and let people try and read it in real time

I'd say maybe 1%, and I'm being generous, of people here could dissect an NFL defense effectively in real time.

 

[GleefulGary]

For those unfamiliar with Eifert

He has been in the league since 2013 on the roller coaster of a team also known as the Bengals.

A true 6'6' and around 250LB he is a large TE target with experience...his issue has been healthiness.

He has only played in double digit games 3 seasons out of his 7 currently. However, the 2019 campaign was the first time he was healthy. He has very sure hands with a lower than most drop percentage, and for a career has averaged over 10 yards a catch. Even his yards/target is high at 7.9 for his career.

Is he a Hooper, no. However, he is a guy that has proven on a terrible team and when healthy delivers numbers GB and Aaron would love to have. I'm all for us seeing if we can make Hooper fit fiscally....but behind Hooper presently Eifert is my guy.

Eifert was good.

I'm not sure he'll ever be what he was, and I wouldn't want to pay him anything. Cannot stay healthy.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Perhaps, but coming off our contract and then just $2Million last year, it is a viable thought he could be as expensive or affordable as Tramon was or would be.

I've read that he will be in the $9-11M/year range. The Packers won't be able to justify spending that kind of money on a FA CB IMO.

 

[tynimiller]

I've read that he will be in the $9-11M/year range. The Packers won't be able to justify spending that kind of money on a FA CB IMO.

I'd take that bet, I'm not thinking he touches that high...but if so kudos to him. Just two years ago we picked him up when basically all overlooked him due to injuries and such and he has resurrected his career path.

 

[AmishMafia]

On NFL radio yesterday, it was stated, Austin Hooper may get as much as $14M per year. They said on moving the chains, that players like this, at 25 years old, rarely make it to Free Agency. They said $12M with a possible to $14M. Thought that was ridiculous, but now that I think about it, it's possible. I didnt think Hooper was THAT good, but maybe. . .

 

[tynimiller]

It is true that rarely does arguably one of if not the best player projected at their position for the next 3-5 years hits Free Agency. Sadly, it has RARELY paid off to pay them if an offensive player the large money, however with the caveat often times our examples of this are from the RB position.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

They said on moving the chains, that players like this, at 25 years old, rarely make it to Free Agency.

Key words and probably why there will be a few teams that are willing to spend that kind of money on him. While I love the idea of having a better TE than we have had in Jimmy G, not sure spending $14M/year to do so is the prudent move, especially with other glaring needs. If Hooper makes that kind of coin, I can only imagine Kittle's new contract.

 

[AmishMafia]

Good lord you guys. We freaking made it to the NFC Championship. In our first year in a new system no less. Granted Rodgers didn't play well, but again outside of Adams no one played well in that game. We went 13-3 and yet we're somehow complaining about Rodgers.

We did great, better than we expected.

Now it's the next season and we are discussing how to make the team better. Some people think AR is very limited offensively because of bad receivers. A few think a talented WR will help, but the bigger issue was ARs quality of play.

The context is building the team going forward, not a ***** fest about Rodgers. The continual excuses and blatant denial of some posters continues to fuel it.

I hope AR gets his **** together and plays better next season, and I expect it. And I expect we get a new WR and that will help. There will be very good WRs at #30 and really good ones at #62.

 

[tynimiller]

Key words and probably why there will be a few teams that are willing to spend that kind of money on him. While I love the idea of having a better TE than we have had in Jimmy G, not sure spending $14M/year to do so is the prudent move, especially with other glaring needs. If Hooper makes that kind of coin, I can only imagine Kittle's new contract.

At that tag...we can make this team exponentially better with two guys than just one, I don't care how good or bad folks think we need him. There is a point, and north of $12M is it for me, that it just becomes ignorant to sign a TE IMO.

 

[Dantés]

The worst parts of sports talk are the false dichotomies.

There are gradations here.

Could it be possible that Rodgers needs to play better AND that the talent at the skill positions sucked?

If you say the latter, people accuse you of saying Rodgers is faultless in all things. If you say the former, people accuse you of saying that the skill position talent is great.

1. Rodgers held the ball too much in 2019 and did not operate the offense as efficiently as he needs to.

2. The talent at WR and TE on this team, beyond Adams, sucked and needs to be improved.

These two things are not mutually exclusive. The effort to try and prove that there was actually great skill position talent on this team last year is as ridiculous as the effort to prove that Rodgers never makes mistakes.