Here are five overrated players in free agency that the Green Bay Packers should avoid at all costs.

Green Bay Packers v Tennessee Titans | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

The Green Bay Packers are going to dip into free agency this offseason—one way or another. The only real question is how deep they’re willing to go.

Packers cap guru Ken Ingalls projects they have about $22.5 million in usable cap space right now. That number doesn’t include potential cuts, restructures, or extensions—like waiving a certain high-priced cornerback who has made headlines for all the wrong reasons (cough, Jaire Alexander, cough).

As the Packers weigh their options, one thing is crystal clear—they should steer clear of these five overrated free agents.

1. Teven Jenkins, Offensive Guard

Ironically, Teven Jenkins was on the Packers’ radar during the 2021 NFL Draft, but they opted for Eric Stokes at No. 29 instead. Jenkins continued to slide before the Chicago Bears scooped him up at No. 39 overall.

Now, after four seasons, he’s hitting unrestricted free agency—and the Packers should let someone else pay him.

Jenkins has had a solid career in Chicago, flashing the versatility that initially made him appealing to Green Bay. He’s played both tackle spots and has settled in as a starting-caliber guard. But while the talent is there, the availability hasn’t been.

In four seasons, Jenkins has never played a full year, missing 21 games due to injuries. The Packers can’t afford to spend big on a player who can’t stay on the field.

And that’s exactly what Jenkins is looking for—a big contract. He’ll likely aim for something in the range of Sam Cosmi’s four-year, $74 million extension with Washington. That’s an expensive gamble on a player with a long injury history.

Green Bay has other options to address the interior offensive line, whether through the draft, internal development, or a more affordable free agent. Instead of rolling the dice on Jenkins, the Packers should prioritize durability and long-term reliability up front.

2. DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver

The Packers need a No. 1 wide receiver. This isn’t breaking news. Even Josh Jacobs said it on a radio show, sparking social media debates that weren’t debated at all. He’s not wrong.

Green Bay spent 2024 waiting for one of their young receivers to break out. They didn’t care who—Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks—just someone to take the leap. It didn’t happen. The group stagnated, showing flashes but no real sustainable growth.

That prevented the Packers from reaching their offensive ceiling and sent them into the offseason with plenty of questions.

Banking on internal development isn’t enough anymore. The Packers need proven quality, not just quantity in their receiving corps.

DeAndre Hopkins used to be that guy. From 2014 to 2020, he was one of the league’s elite receivers, racking up at least 1,165 yards in six of those seven seasons, including three years over 1,400 yards.

But that’s not who he is anymore. His name carries more weight than his game at this point.

Hopkins turns 33 before next season and has been in steady decline for years. He’s failed to surpass 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons, with injuries chipping away at his explosiveness and durability. He still has strong hands and great instincts, but he’s no longer the dynamic, game-changing presence he once was.

The Packers need a receiver who can elevate their offense immediately. Hopkins won’t be that guy, so Green Bay should keep looking.

3. D.J. Reed, Cornerback

The Packers need to rebuild their cornerback room and fast. Jaire Alexander is likely on his way out—whether via release or trade—and Eric Stokes, Robert Rochell, and Corey Ballentine are unrestricted free agents. That leaves Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as the only notable corners on the roster.

This isn’t a position Green Bay can afford to ignore. Brian Gutekunst will likely attack it in both free agency and the draft, and fortunately, this year’s free-agent class is deep at cornerback.

That means the Packers can afford to be patient and selective. In other words, they should stay far away from D.J. Reed.

For starters, Reed is going to want a top-tier contract. Pro Football Focus projects him to land a three-year, $42 million deal. That number is doable for Green Bay, but one they should not be excited about handing out.

Then there’s his recent decline. In 2024, Reed posted his lowest PFF grade (70.7) in three years while playing his fewest defensive snaps (880) in that same span. That’s not the kind of trend you want to buy into, especially at a premium position.

The Packers need to find long-term stability at cornerback, and Reed isn’t the answer.

4. Charvarius Ward, Cornerback

Another veteran option the Packers could consider is Charvarius Ward, who spent the last three seasons with San Francisco and made the Pro Bowl in 2023.

At his best, Ward is a physical, playmaking corner who can take on tough assignments. But his 2024 season wasn’t his best. He dealt with off-field personal issues, which showed on the field.

PFF ranked him 148th out of 223 eligible corners last season with a 56.2 overall grade. That’s not the type of production Green Bay should gamble on.

Ward still can be a solid starting corner, but he comes with too much risk for what the Packers are looking for in free agency. With a strong CB market available, Green Bay should aim higher.

5. Haason Reddick, Defensive End

One of the Packers’ biggest areas of need this offseason is bolstering their defensive line and pass rush.

Green Bay watched Philadelphia dominate them up front in the Wild Card round, then do the exact same thing to Kansas City in the Super Bowl. The Eagles showed what a championship-caliber defensive line looks like, and the Packers still aren’t there yet.

They’ve invested heavily in their front four—four first-round picks in the rotation, including two of their highest-paid players starting. Yet the group continues to underperform, leaving Green Bay searching for more answers.

One way to fix the problem is dipping into free agency, where sneaky-good additions are available. However, one player they should avoid at all costs is Haason Reddick.

There’s no questioning his talent—Reddick has been an impact pass rusher everywhere he’s played. The real concerns are about what kind of teammate he is in the locker room.

Reddick has bounced around the NFL for a reason. After four years in Arizona, he signed a one-year deal with Carolina in 2021. He left after that season to sign with Philadelphia, where he lasted just two years before demanding a raise. When the Eagles wouldn’t give it to him, they traded him to the Jets.

That’s where things got messy. Upon arriving in New York, Reddick held out for a new contract, missing half the season. When he finally took the field, he was a shell of himself.

At 30 years old, he’s going to want another big payday. But what happens if he feels underpaid again? Another holdout? Another distraction? That’s a risk Green Bay can’t afford. Reddick has set his precedent, and the Packers should steer far away.