Packers Roster Assessment, 2025 Off-Season

[tynimiller]

Wide Receiver:

-Christian Watson: Solid starter entering a contract year but with a torn ACL.
-Romeo Doubs: Solid starter entering a contract year.
-Jayden Reed: Good role-player under contract through 2026.
-Dontayvion Wicks: Developing role-player under contract through 2026.
-Malik Heath: Viable depth piece due to be a RFA in 2026.
-Bo Melton: Currently an ERFA.
-Julian Hicks: UDFA rookie with developmental traits.
-Cornelius Johnson: UDFA rookie with developmental traits.
-Need Level: 8/10-- The Packers still have plenty of roster-worthy players at this position, but the lack of difference-making talent severely hampered the offense in 2024. Teams were able to stifle the passing game by playing man coverage because the receivers aren't capable at defeating it. They need to add to the top of the depth chart while the younger guys hopefully continue to ascend.

Everyone gravitates to this position without folks like you, whom many of us respect a lot, putting such a high need on it LOL I didn't disagree overall, but I'm a 6 or 7, but still even there it places it relatively high on the spectrum of need absolutely but for me is clearly behind iDL and CB by a lot.

That said, I've expressed elsewhere the issue is the WR market as of right now is just weak overall....Tee is going to be the one that is coveted...then you got guys like Diggs, Cooper and liklely Godwin (healed he is a 1,000 yarder each year).

That said a few of the options out there that I think make VASTLY more sense than ever even considering hitching the wagon to Tee for likely $25M/yr MINIMUM......

Stefon Diggs...I'm pushing my disdain for the guy aside, because for the right deal he does a lot of what Godwin would for us...we have seen firsthand what he can do and if he'd not faced a shortened season he'd likely have delivered his 7th straight 1,000 yard season. The issue is will he be happy and can he play nice in the sandbox of guys that would likely still eat before him (Jacobs and Reed with perhaps Doubs being an equivalent eater at times). From a player perspective of what I think he has left in his tank, his familiarity with cold weather games and his pissed off against the world mindset...in truth a little edge added could actually help this team eat more. Most say he's going to demand that $13M-$17M range figure. He made insane money with the Texans (1 year $22.5M all guaranteed) last year...I could see the limited options cause him to rise above or near that figure again...but if he'd sit and talk, have interest and maybe allow us to put a two or three year structured deal that puts some guaranteed money in his pocket early, essentially make it a two year deal with third being some fluff LOL do you consider Diggs for 3 yrs/$45M with like $20M guaranteed? Could eat up $8-$14 of it first year, $15M second year and all your guarantee is gone and you can walk from him after 2026...the time when a ton of contracts come up anyways......I hate it for personal reasons but also understand this well over what many think Tee is getting 4 years and $100M likely for sure from someone...I actually predict he gets in the $27-$30/Yr range (70% or so guaranteed). NOT WORTH IT.

Chris Godwin....he might prefer to do a one year lucrative deal coming off injury rather than risk teams throw big two or three year contracts that everyone including him knows is a one year deal. If that is the case what is the risk of giving him $10M-$15M for one year only and pushing chips in with him. This option provides that guy that has proven himself now producing 800+ yards in 2018-2023 and in 2024 in only 7 games put up 576 yards and 5 TDs before his injury. He's 6'1' has low 4.4 speed....and can assist in handling Watson being out for a while, and no one stepping forward in Doubs/Reed/Wicks to be that alpha...one year deal works for him and perhaps in that year if Doubs explodes he's your extension, if Reed does he's your one year early extension...if no one does but holds serve if you will...perhaps you work out a two or three year deal with the then nearly 30 year old Godwin for another contract that works.

There are a slew of guys that for various reasons should pull around or less than $10M and while not bonafide no doubt WR1s....adding a guy that is used to being dependable and stabilizing presence still is a direction of merit:

D-Hop - Chance he wins with KC and retires...but does the taste of post-season make him wanna stab at it with GB if KC doesn't make offer to have him back. At his age and such he is clearly a one year deal type candidate, but instantly galvanizes the position, great mentor while also easily sliding in as that second or third targeted WR from the go likely. His last deal which was with the Cardinals was for two years and $26M. I'd say we are around that $10M figure and at that figure perhaps a two year 20 million with like $13 or so guaranteed (which is more than the $11M in his last deal). Little strong for an older WR....yes, but also is the timeframe before we have to pay someone likely IF anyone so you're paying for stabilization of the spot and his sure handedness in big moments and games.

Darius Slayton - I've always felt there is more there with Slayton than NYG have gotten...now granted he's had four 700+ yard seasons and only once under 500 yards...two years ago he was a guy that NYG spent a two year $12M deal on....can you convince him of something similar?? Something less...doubtful...likely touch more.

MVS - We are all familiar with MVS, is he still the exact same guy? No and Yes. He's now at the age and after the failed expanded role in KC not taking flight, he knows he's not a primary guy, but plays to his role quite well. There is a real chance you can grab him for less than $2M and at that rate and for added insurance best to make it a two year deal or more as the cost/risk is so little. Would love a 2 year $3M Deal and just guarantee like $250,000 of it in year one. MVS is still proving to be that DEEP target that once a game can absolutely get you CHUNK yards. Yes he's going to have drops given the depth of target but he is that role to a T still. He also is an experienced blocker and actually solid blocking WR which is an added bonus. He stabilizes the room but doesn't at all slow down or limit target shares likely already going to Doubs/Reed and Wicks...but if one falters he can in a pinch be that guy. He provides security and that year for you to see if Heath, Melton or perhaps like a fourth or fifth rounder shows promise. I've already said I'm a big fan of a reunion with MVS if for NO reason than to be that field spreader that Watson is for us so often till his return.

Josh Palmer - Another mid-tier type guy like Slayton with little less proven...
Dyami Brown - is in that batch of did Gute like him as a prospect that has never panned out but maybe in a new environment he could excel type...

DJ Chark - He's an interesting one...still under 29 years old which suprised me a bit...LA tried giving him a chance this year but IR issues took TOO long and it was a failed year entirely. He proved just in 2023 in Carolina he can be depended upon to be that say WR3 type on a team...am I throwing money at him no...but dang close to minimum or like MVS type number would make a lot of sense potentially...again is a insurance hedge your bets type guy for sure.

Tyler Boyd - He is also another interesting one...everyone knows he proved himself as very capable in Cinci...and many forget he produced over 750 yards 5 straight seasons (2018-2022) and twice over 1,000. Even in 2023 his final year he still put up 667 yards. He was solid for the terrible team and passing game in TN...so maybe this year he underachieved what is still there for him...but he's NOT a WR1 but he either is a SOLID WR2 or a guy slipping into that WR3 range....so if we signed him he isn't going to slow down growth of our current to a measurable degree, but he's also not going to cost a ton...I'd guess no more than $2M or so as last year he got $2.4M and had a down year, but that is very much the team he was on and QBs he worked with.


There just isn't that guy that jumps out to me.....if I were forced to pick who out of the "bargains" might turn into a dude that puts up good numbers for someone in 2025....I'd likely pick Slayton or Boyd....but still it is just not a good year for WR need and is partially why I think we grab a Chark or MVS, a mid draft pick and call it a day.

 

[Sanguine camper]

I like Gute's policy of signing free agents at or near the end of their rookie contract. That worked well with McKinney, Jacobs, both Smith's. You're getting a player who is still relatively young and is likely to be more durable and in their prime. Other than a kicker, I would hesitate to sign guys in the 28-30 age class. Most of those players are going to be less durable and are on the way down in terms of production. Other than Higgins, who will be too expensive, most of the free agent WR'ers are well past their rookie deal. I'd prefer that Gute drafts more WR'ers. He has a good record when it comes to that position. I can be critical of Gute regarding other moves but his free agent track record is very good.

 

[tynimiller]

I like Gute's policy of signing free agents at or near the end of their rookie contract. That worked well with McKinney, Jacobs, both Smith's. You're getting a player who is still relatively young and is likely to be more durable and in their prime. Other than a kicker, I would hesitate to sign guys in the 28-30 age class. Most of those players are going to be less durable and are on the way down in terms of production. Other than Higgins, who will be too expensive, most of the free agent WR'ers are well past their rookie deal. I'd prefer that Gute drafts more WR'ers. He has a good record when it comes to that position. I can be critical of Gute regarding other moves but his free agent track record is very good.

His big swing types are typically this, but we've also seen immense benefits from like Julius Peppers signing, who at 34 came in and gave three solid years and still went back to Carolina and delivered an 11 sack season.

I suspect if Gute is going to swing BIG money at a prospect that's his preference and it will come in at CB or iDL IMO...think Asante Samuel Jr from Chargers exiting his rookie deal but really there isn't any bonafide STUD CBs in that situation....which is why I wouldn't be shocked if Gute tries to nab a veteran of some sort (ala Rasul Douglas or similar) and perhaps wait and see if a guy like one of the rookie CBs in Washington that have underachieved Noah Igbinoghene (former first rounder) or Benjamin St.-Juste (third rounder) might be able to be nabbed for a one year or short two year cheap term to try and play into a big contract.

If he did that at edge a few names to possibly see him target would be:
Josh Sweat - dude would cost us for sure, but he's sub 28 years old and producing at a high clip.
Chase Young - folks forget he's only 25 years old still...he is also someone I think could be a sneaky pick up.
Azeez Ojulari - Rumors were we were discussing trading for at deadline for him from NYG...he's less than 25 years old, has produced 23 sacks across his rookie contract (four years) but hasn't been active over 11 games except for his rookie year and he hasn't been a big snap guy with only around 400 last two years.
Malcolm Koonce - The dude from LV no one is talking about because everyone is focusing on Maxx who is under contract. Under 27 years old, had JUST in 2023 put up big pressure numbers and looked bonafide elite projection...2024 stolen in injury so there is some risk there but many still suspect he's going to garner a serious amount of change on the market.
Michael Hoecht - Here is a guy that just saw bad luck with the drafting of Jared Verse...he's an undrafted dude who has laid down though four solid years...After making a contract for a UDFA and being there in 2021 for the Rams but not playing a lot he did then start 6 games in 2022 and upped his snaps to over 400 and produced 5 sacks and 24 pressures which was awesome...2023 he started all games, delivered 6 sacks, 43 pressures and appeared to be ready to just explode in year four, then Verse gets drafted, BUT this year he still saw 700 snaps, produced 30 pressures and 5 sacks. I have Hoecht as a guy that could be their version of Fackrell, BUT he's produced across two years. Now he isn't a STUD, but man he is intriguing and likely not expensive.


If he did that approach with iDL there are some for sure:
Milton Williams - Milton is a guy I have red circled as what would serve as both an upgrade along our front and a surprise guy no one is talking about. For a rookie contract guy, folks his last three seasons overall PFF grade is over 70 (that's SOLID), his pass rush grade this year was over 90 (that's elite)...his run defense lacked some this year but I think it's because of some of his usage. 12 sack guy over four years from the interior is no slouch either....
Levi Onwuzurike - He came on STRONG for the Lions this year when injuries forced a guy that was a former 2nd rounder that hadn't really played much over first two years. He played nearly 600 snaps, has graded out fairly solid and is still under 27 years old.
Osa Odighizuwa - This young man has played and started ALL games the last three years for Dallas, and this past year played an astounding 860 snaps....our highest was Kenny with 686 amongst our bigguns. I LOVE the idea of bringing Osa into the fold, especially on what is likely Clarks last year with us fiscally unless a rework happens or he rebirths his career...Osa has 18 sacks in his four seasons but an astounding 60 pressures just this past year was NASTY nice.
Chauncey Golston - We will stay in Dallas and mention a guy on a massive upswing of production. In his third season he finally started getting playing time of sizable nature since his rookie year and rounded into form - but in 2024 when he took on his biggest role yet he delivered. 37 total pressures, 7 sacks and played the run actually better than Osa did. Won't garner the money as he laid down slightly less work in his last four than Osa but you could be nabbing a guy right as he's ascending a lot.
Javon Kinlaw - He did get a one year deal post rookie contract with the Jets, but showed this season he can be a solid iDL for a team, started all 17 (saw just shy of 700 snaps), 30 pressures and 5 sacks. I don't think he is the world beater many think he is, BUT I wonder what he could be like in a system that is rotating him, Clark and Wyatt along with Brooks.....that is a lot of interior firepower from a pressure perspective. Sub 28 years old still too.