Last minute free agent?

[Sunshinepacker]

5th round or later non-OL: Donald Driver, Eric Walden, Starks, Crabtree, Pennel. Several more had career ending injuries just as they seemed to be getting it.

That list would be so much more compelling without Walden on it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Packers need some late round picks and undrafted free agents on the roster to stay under the salary cap though. It's impossible to replace all of them with veterans asking for significantly more money.

No doubt the Packers can't meet the cap by filling the entire roster from top to bottom with high paid vets. However I am referring more to the low end vets who are looking for a prove it deal or at the tail end of their careers. Heck, the Seahawks signed Brandon Marshall for just over a million. The Browns are paying Jeff Janis $1.25M.

Bottom line for me, TT seemed to like to hold on to some of these guys too long and I hope Gute doesn't make the same mistake.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

That list would be so much more compelling without Walden on it.

Walden actually has had a pretty nice career for a sixth round pick, totaling 36 sacks over the past eight season with a career high 11 in 2016.

No doubt the Packers can't meet the cap by filling the entire roster from top to bottom with high paid vets. However I am referring more to the low end vets who are looking for a prove it deal or at the tail end of their careers. Heck, the Seahawks signed Brandon Marshall for just over a million. The Browns are paying Jeff Janis $1.25M.

It would even be tough to fit several veterans playing for close to the veteran minimum while replacing late round picks or undrafted players under the cap though.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Walden actually has had a pretty nice career for a sixth round pick, totaling 36 sacks over the past eight season with a career high 11 in 2016.

He was terrible on the Packers, had one good game in his contract year against the Colts and they fell for it.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

He was terrible on the Packers, had one good game in his contract year against the Colts and they fell for it.

Walden had 23 sacks in four seasons with the Colts, pretty impressive for a day three pick. He was a major reason the Packers won a must-win game in week 16 of the 2010 season recording three sacks vs. the Bears as well.

 

[Poppa San]

That list would be so much more compelling without Walden on it.

I was responding to:

where have the Packers developed a late round or UDFA into a starter or even a real quality backup?

which Walden definitely fits. I just forgot he wasn't originally a Packer draft pick.

 

[McKnowledge]

As Pokerbrat already pointed out correctly in this thread Boston signed with Arizona this week.

Didn't know. Thanks for the info. At least, the Packers could take a look at Eric Reid. Kentrell Brice just went down with an injury and I'm still not sold on Josh Jones being a full-time starter. Boston would've been a great addition.

 

[FL-PACKERfan]

Reid or Kenny Vacarro given he’s healthy.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Ryan went down too I read. Bowman would be solid imo

 

[OldSchool101]

Ryan is a solid two down player as he is an above average run defender but struggles in coverage. I don't believe Burks will take away snaps from him as he excels in different areas than Ryan.

One thing that jumps out to me about Jake is he’s a no frills LB. He survives on instincts but he’s got a low long term ceiling IMO. Jakes had 0 INTs and 1 sack in his first 3 years. While I understand his role is rarely to create pass pressure, an ILB could almost trip into better stats. He’s just good enough to start and just bad enough to lose that role to the next man up. I’m not trying to be mean but I just think we can do better. He’s been ok for a 5Th round projection taken late 4th round, but ok only lasts so long in this league. This may be a blessing in disguise if we pick up a solid veteran and or shuffle the LB core again like we did a few years ago. I’m not a huge Joe Thomas fan.. but if you had given me a choice I’d pick him over Jake.
Sometimes teams need to have their hand forced to get out of their comfort zone and improve a unit like our LBs.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

One thing that jumps out to me about Jake is he’s a no frills LB. He survives on instincts but he’s got a low long term ceiling IMO. Jakes had 0 INTs and 1 sack in his first 3 years. While I understand his role is rarely to create pass pressure, an ILB could almost trip into better stats. He’s just good enough to start and just bad enough to lose that role to the next man up. I’m not trying to be mean but I just think we can do better. He’s been ok for a 5Th round projection taken late 4th round, but ok only lasts so long in this league. This may be a blessing if we pick up a solid veteran and or shuffle the LB core again like we did a few years ago.
Sometimes teams need to have their hand forced to get out of their comfort zone and improve a unit like our LBs.

Good optimism working there. If we did lose Ryan for the year. At least it's early enough to find a plan to move on...

I know Bowman isn't what he was.... but he can bring mojo.... I'm pretty sure of that.

 

[OldSchool101]

Exactly. I hope Gute and Pettine can turn this chicken crap LB injury situation into chicken salad with a solid veteran move.
Then let’s go out in 2019 and grab a solid LB with one of those 2 first round picks

 

[Deleted member 6794]

At least, the Packers could take a look at Eric Reid.

I highly doubt any team will consider signing Reid after he filed a grievance against the league.

Reid or Kenny Vacarro given he’s healthy.

Vacarro is a bust.

Ryan went down too I read. Bowman would be solid imo

Bowman would definitely be a solid addition.

One thing that jumps out to me about Jake is he’s a no frills LB. He survives on instincts but he’s got a low long term ceiling IMO. Jakes had 0 INTs and 1 sack in his first 3 years. While I understand his role is rarely to create pass pressure, an ILB could almost trip into better stats. He’s just good enough to start and just bad enough to lose that role to the next man up. I’m not trying to be mean but I just think we can do better. He’s been ok for a 5Th round projection taken late 4th round, but ok only lasts so long in this league. This may be a blessing in disguise if we pick up a solid veteran and or shuffle the LB core again like we did a few years ago. I’m not a huge Joe Thomas fan.. but if you had given me a choice I’d pick him over Jake.

You have to understand Ryan's role to fairly evaluate his performance. He is solely a two down linebacker primarily focused on defending the run. Last season he was ranked second among all inside linebackers in run stop percentage.

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Exactly. I hope Gute and Pettine can turn this chicken crap LB injury situation into chicken salad with a solid veteran move.
Then let’s go out in 2019 and grab a solid LB with one of those 2 first round picks

I highly doubt the Packers will select an inside linebacker in the first round anytime soon.

 

[McKnowledge]

I highly doubt any team will consider signing Reid after he filed a grievance against the league.

There is the politics of the NFL, that's real. I understand that, but its BS. Reid should have a job.

Vacarro is a bust.

Based on draft position and expectations with the Saints...maybe. If he comes to the Packers he can play that hybrid safety/linebacker role that is sorely needed.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Based on draft position and expectations with the Saints...maybe. If he comes to the Packers he can play that hybrid safety/linebacker role that is sorely needed.

I prefer either Burks, Jones or Rollins to line up in that position.

 

[PackerDNA]

Don Barclay signed with the Saints. There goes any chance of improving Oline depth.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Don Barclay signed with the Saints. There goes any chance of improving Oline depth.

Improving...for the Saints you mean?

 

[gbgary]

agent barclay has infiltrated the saints and will ensure their season will be lost.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I will give you Driver, but that goes back to 1999. Starks was a serviceable backup, nothing that special. Walden came to the Packers as a FA in his 5th year and was meh. Crabtree and Pennel would be reaches IMO to say they did much for the Packers.

Kinda makes the point that they haven’t gotten much out of their late round picks or UDFA. But then again, wasn’t Shields an UDFA?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Kinda makes the point that they haven’t gotten much out of their late round picks or UDFA. But then again, wasn’t Shields an UDFA?

Yes, Shields is the exception and not the norm and has been mentioned a lot with this. I honestly think Shields was a blessing and a curse for TT. He found a gem in Shields, a WR that was converted to a CB and played like a Pro Bowler pretty quick, well done TT and staff!! However, that isn't going to happen very often and if you expect it to, which I believe TT thought it could, it can get you relying too much on the power of developing guys and by taking that path, leave you with a pretty thin roster while you are developing said players.

Whitt also gets a lot of credit thrown at him for developing Shields, which he probably deserves. However, I can't help but wonder how much credit belongs to Charles Woodson? Woodson was a team guy and he was always willing to mentor the younger guys.

 

[Dantés]

At this point, I would think the most likely additions would be camp cuts from other rosters. The FA market is pretty well picked over. Most of the notable names remaining (e.g. Bryant, DRC, Hankins, the safeties) play positions that are fairly crowded already (at safety, that’s providing that Brice will be ready for the season).

Two available veterans that I could see are Karlos Dansby and Robert Ayers. The former isn’t necessarily the best ILB on the market but he’s one of the better ones and he has a history with Pettine. Ayers could bring some strong veteran depth to the OLB corps, in my opinion.

And, of course, my favorite scenario would be a trade— specifically for Khalil Mack. But that’s 95% pipe dream.

Some roster situations to watch at linebacker (both rush and off-ball) for cuts:

• The 49ers seem to have a bit of a log jam of off-ball linebackers. Korey Toomer and Dekoda Watson are two possible cuts who would be worth a look.
• The Broncos have an edge rusher on the bubble named Marcus Rush. He came out in 2015, undrafted. He's bounced around but has always showed out in preseason in a big way. My guess is that no one has kept him on their roster to this point because he's been a bit of a one trick pony, but it's possible that development has taken place. He's exceptionally talented as a pure outside rusher.
• The Panthers added three off-ball linebackers in the draft so it's possible that someone worthwhile shakes loose there, though I don't know anything about their players outside of the starters who obviously aren't getting cut.
• The Ravens have something of a glut of rush linebackers with Albert McClellan, Terrell Suggs, Tim Williams, Matt Judon, Tyus Bowser, and Za'Darius Smith all being guys that they likely want to keep. They could potentially make room to keep them all, but it's a spot to watch.
• The Eagles are flush with pass rushers. Graham, Barnett, Bennett, Long, and Sweat are likely making the roster. Steven Means has been just barely hanging on to his spot for a couple of years and could lose it this year. UDFA Joe Ostman is apparently having a strong camp and could be a good pick up.

Looking over depth charts, I find that I'm not all that familiar with off-ball linebackers league wide. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the guy that the Packers brought in at the position was someone I've never heard of. We shall see.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sad but good news for GreenBaySlacker......Adrian Peterson has signed with the Redskins!

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Sad but good news for GreenBaySlacker......Adrian Peterson has signed with the Redskins!

Dooough!!!!

That was a wicked shame about the skins new rookie stud rb blowing his acl already... I follow the skins a little because my wife's family is skins fans. And my grandpa was a big skins fan. So this is a good plan b.

When was the last time the skins had a rushing leader?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

When was the last time the skins had a rushing leader?

I guess with AP now, they will have to wait another year?

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I guess with AP now, they will have to wait another year?

ESPN article today. Lol don't worry though. Montgomery, Jones got this. After Monty catches stride and Jones comes back from suspension..... Probabally... And Williams. Once he is back to 100%....

Fantasy fallout: Are Adrian Peterson, Alfred Morris really back?

Lol
Better hope not.