Free Agents you would like to see sign with Green Bay in 2019?

GreenNGold_81

Cheesehead
Joined
Nov 15, 2015
Messages
1,745
Reaction score
287
It's reported that they will be in on both Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith. I think there are things to like about both players, and they're actually strikingly similar (within an inch and a few lbs of each other, similar style of play, within two months in terms of age, etc). I think both would help the Packers, but of the two, I prefer Preston.

They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.

Za'Darius Smith has had a very similar career trajectory, and is also coming off his best season. However, in his case the statistics match. As he had over double the amount of sacks (8.5), I could see him getting the bigger deal on the open market.

I also tend to think there is a little bit more upside for Preston. His athletic profile is a lot more impressive than Za'Darius'.

Preston: 6'5" 271 lbs, 34" arms, 4.74 forty, 1.63 10 yd, 34" vert, 121" broad, 7.07 3 cone, 4.28 short shuttle

Za'Darius: 6'4" 274 lbs, 32.5" arms, 4.83 forty, 1.76 10 yd, 29" vert, 113" broad, 7.42 3 cone, 4.66 short shuttle

As you can see, Smith was significantly better in every metric at basically the same size. Now, I'm not saying that we should base FA decisions on combine metrics when guys have had four seasons to put out NFL tape. But if you're splitting hairs between two eerily similar FA options, I think this should be a factor. Za'Darius has overachieved against his athletic ability. Preston arguably hasn't attained to his ceiling. So there's a chance that he becomes an even better player at his next stop.

All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.

Is this assuming Perry gets the boot? Or would Perry still be around getting all injured with a club hand all season?
 

Dantés

Gute Loot
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
12,122
Reaction score
3,044
Is this assuming Perry gets the boot? Or would Perry still be around getting all injured with a club hand all season?

No idea.

If they know internally that Perry fell off a cliff last year because he was playing injured, then I'd keep him.

If he was just that bad, I'd cut him.
 

Mondio

Cheesehead
Joined
Dec 20, 2014
Messages
15,893
Reaction score
3,797
No idea.

If they know internally that Perry fell off a cliff last year because he was playing injured, then I'd keep him.

If he was just that bad, I'd cut him.
I don't get a good feeling about him. I never pegged him for someone that didn't try, but last year he just seemed to go thru the motions a lot. Maybe it was injury, I never know when he gets injured, just that he always seems to be, but he seemed to mostly just be out there last year when he did play.
 

PackAttack12

R-E-L-A-X
Joined
Sep 16, 2016
Messages
6,500
Reaction score
2,157
If the Packers are indeed looking for a couple of pass rushers in free agency, I think Perry gets the boot.
 

Dantés

Gute Loot
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
12,122
Reaction score
3,044
I don't get a good feeling about him. I never pegged him for someone that didn't try, but last year he just seemed to go thru the motions a lot. Maybe it was injury, I never know when he gets injured, just that he always seems to be, but he seemed to mostly just be out there last year when he did play.

Now that he's gotten his huge pay day, it may just be that he doesn't have the same drive to play through all of the injuries. There is also a net cumulative effect on a guy who has gone through so many over the course of a career.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Messages
16,892
Reaction score
7,674
The Browns have released LB Jamie Collins.
Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?

If Collins gets into that North of $13 M range Id Pass
 
Last edited:

PackerDNA

Cheesehead
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
7,106
Reaction score
1,990
Word is the Browns may be looking to move on from Kevin Zeitler. Outstanding guard who last year was rated as a top pass-blocking guard in the entire NFL.
If so go get him Green Bay.
 

PackerDNA

Cheesehead
Joined
Jun 8, 2014
Messages
7,106
Reaction score
1,990
A lot of good players being released or up for trade and not being franchised. This is setting up as a very good free agent time for Green Bay.
 

Mondio

Cheesehead
Joined
Dec 20, 2014
Messages
15,893
Reaction score
3,797
He has quite a following in my hometown being a lot of his aunts, uncles, cousins live there. He’s a pretty good football player too
 
H

HardRightEdge

Guest
Heard about this Monday. But didn't want to get to itchy..
Demovsky had a note on this last week, saying one or maybe two according to vibes he got from agents. Edge should be a priority on two counts. First, because it's a major need. Second, given the uncertainties of the draft, they'd like to have at least the Perry replacement in house before cutting him. FA negotiations begin March 11; Perry must be cut before the close of business on March 14 to avoid paying that bonus.
 
H

HardRightEdge

Guest
The Browns have released LB Jamie Collins.
Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?

If Collins gets into that North of $13 M range Id Pass
Something is wrong with Jamie Collins. Hoodie didn't just let him go in free agency over affordability issues as in so many other cases. He traded him a few weeks into the season. It smelled like Collins was not in "do your job" mode. He didn't get through 2 years in Cleveland when it looked like Dorsey traded for him as a core player to build around.
 
D

Deleted member 6794

Guest
I think caution is expressed via salary and term, obviously he shouldn't command much as he's an aging vet at this point. But if we don't land Amos or Collins, Weddle would be my next choice. Apparently, he's like a coach on the field, if that's true he'd benefit our locker room big time.

I would be fine with the Packers brining in Weddle as a coach but don't consider him to be a fit on the field based on age and the salary he would demand.

They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.

All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.

FWIW Preston Smith had more pressures (53) in 2018 than he had in any other season. Zadarius Smith was more efficient rushing the passer than both Preston and Barrett last season though.

Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?

If Collins gets into that North of $13 M range Id Pass

There's no way the Packers should even think about paying that kind of money for an off the ball linebacker.

Word is the Browns may be looking to move on from Kevin Zeitler. Outstanding guard who last year was rated as a top pass-blocking guard in the entire NFL.
If so go get him Green Bay.

Zeitler would be an awesome addition to the offensive line.
 

elcid

Cheesehead
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
794
Reaction score
119
It's reported that they will be in on both Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith. I think there are things to like about both players, and they're actually strikingly similar (within an inch and a few lbs of each other, similar style of play, within two months in terms of age, etc). I think both would help the Packers, but of the two, I prefer Preston.

They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston Smith. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.

Za'Darius Smith has had a very similar career trajectory, and is also coming off his best season. However, in his case the statistics match. As he had over double the amount of sacks (8.5), I could see him getting the bigger deal on the open market.

I also tend to think there is a little bit more upside for Preston. His athletic profile is a lot more impressive than Za'Darius'.

Preston: 6'5" 271 lbs, 34" arms, 4.74 forty, 1.63 10 yd, 34" vert, 121" broad, 7.07 3 cone, 4.28 short shuttle

Za'Darius: 6'4" 274 lbs, 32.5" arms, 4.83 forty, 1.76 10 yd, 29" vert, 113" broad, 7.42 3 cone, 4.66 short shuttle

As you can see, Smith was significantly better in every metric at basically the same size. Now, I'm not saying that we should base FA decisions on combine metrics when guys have had four seasons to put out NFL tape. But if you're splitting hairs between two eerily similar FA options, I think this should be a factor. Za'Darius has overachieved against his athletic ability. Preston arguably hasn't attained to his ceiling. So there's a chance that he becomes an even better player at his next stop.

All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.

Why not Both?:cool:

All jokes aside, it doesn't seem completely out of this world that the contracts of Preston and Barrett equate to what either a Clowney or Ford are gonna get inked to in the end. In that case, I would be all for it. IMO it would really allow us to draft BPA in the first round.

EDIT: didn't realize that apart from Lawrence, Clowney, Ford and Clark were tagged. Preston might be the best edge guy on the market now.
 
Last edited:

Dantés

Gute Loot
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
12,122
Reaction score
3,044
Why not Both?:cool:

All jokes aside, it doesn't seem completely out of this world that the contracts of Preston and Barrett equate to what either a Clowney or Ford are gonna get inked to in the end. In that case, I would be all for it. IMO it would really allow us to draft BPA in the first round.

EDIT: didn't realize that apart from Lawrence, Clowney, Ford and Clark were tagged. Preston might be the best edge guy on the market now.

If you want both, you're probably spending somewhere in the neighborhood of 22M annually.
 

Favre>Rodgers259

Cheesehead
Joined
Apr 30, 2015
Messages
2,243
Reaction score
130
i think the Packers may have the position covered but here's a slot guy for someone on a budget...
https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1728168/finding-the-perfect-free-agent-for-all-32-nfl-teams

Someone I like even better than Crowder and who should come even cheaper is Tyrell Williams, who fits Gute's mold of being 6'3 and runs 4.43. Crowder even though he's faster at 4.39, is barely taller than 5'8. Cobb is 5'10.



I like the idea of picking up Preston or Smith but not both. I believe there's definitely better talent in the Draft but we may not be able to get 2 starting quality edge rushers unless Gute can get more picks. My money is on Smith and as soon as we do Perry is sent packing. Clay can stay if he plays for peanuts (relatively speaking) and we still draft his replacement this year.


Love the idea of picking up Zeitler as well. I also like Ramon Foster as a potential depth signing or maybe even someone who can kick over to RG.
 

GreenNGold_81

Cheesehead
Joined
Nov 15, 2015
Messages
1,745
Reaction score
287
Someone I like even better than Crowder and who should come even cheaper is Tyrell Williams, who fits Gute's mold of being 6'3 and runs 4.43. Crowder even though he's faster at 4.39, is barely taller than 5'8. Cobb is 5'10.



I like the idea of picking up Preston or Smith but not both. I believe there's definitely better talent in the Draft but we may not be able to get 2 starting quality edge rushers unless Gute can get more picks. My money is on Smith and as soon as we do Perry is sent packing. Clay can stay if he plays for peanuts (relatively speaking) and we still draft his replacement this year.


Love the idea of picking up Zeitler as well. I also like Ramon Foster as a potential depth signing or maybe even someone who can kick over to RG.


I don't know that Tyrell is really the type of receiver we want right now. He played 37% of the time in the slot. I'd rather continue to develop MVS and ESB than sign Tyrell for that role - and use our money on a competent slot receiver.
 

Favre>Rodgers259

Cheesehead
Joined
Apr 30, 2015
Messages
2,243
Reaction score
130
I don't know that Tyrell is really the type of receiver we want right now. He played 37% of the time in the slot. I'd rather continue to develop MVS and ESB than sign Tyrell for that role - and use our money on a competent slot receiver.

Keep in mind Keenan Allen has sustained multiple injuries which moved Williams outside. Had Allen played all 32 eligible games in the last 2 seasons I'd say Williams would have lined up in the slot probably twice as much.
 

Dantés

Gute Loot
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
12,122
Reaction score
3,044
Tyrell Williams' skill set is redundant to MVS and, to a lesser extent, EQ's. I want receivers that will bring new facets to the offense.
 

Pkrjones

Cheesehead
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
4,223
Reaction score
2,085
Location
Northern IL
Correct me if I'm wrong. GB currently has $34.61Mil of cap space. The rookie pool has been set at $10.3Mil for GB with their current draft picks. Cutting Perry saves $3.3Mil on cap. That leaves $27.6Mil available for signing FA's.

Only 4 OLB's were kept on the 53 last year at cut-down. Currently only have Fackrell & Gilbert as OLB's from last year. Sign one FA & draft one starting-caliber OLB and maybe a later rounder for competition/depth/potential. Preston or Za'darius Smith will get approx. 4 yr/$40-45Mil deals which is $10-11Mil/yr.

Still would like to sign:
Breeland (CB) - 4yr/$26Mil? or $6.5Mil/yr.
Starting-caliber OG - Will cost $6 or $7Mil/yr. (Zeitler is highest paid OG at $10Mil)

The above signings would use-up approx. $24 of our available $27mil

Starting-caliber FS unless Tramon Williams is capable of filling this role full time. IF Tramon is cut saves $4.75Mil on cap to use towards replacement.

Not much cap space left, so the draft needs to fill any other holes and provide depth.
 
Top