The Green Bay Packers has added guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman in free agency so far. It’s the team with the fewest external additions in the NFL, and it’s just how the franchise tends to operate.
However, there is still time to make moves. Even though the top free agents are off the board, the second wave of free agency can bring some helpful pieces to the roster—and for much less money.
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
He’s smaller than what the Packers tend to look for in cornerbacks, but he did have a visit in Green Bay in the pre-draft process. The timing didn’t help Samuel’s free agency, because he’s coming from an injury and not his best play in 2024.
Still, Samuel is a solid coverage corner who had a really good performance in 2023. And last season, he allowed an 87.3 passer rating when targeted. Because he is smaller, run defense and tackling are issues, but considering the Packers’ need at cornerback, it’s hard to find a better option with spending too much.
WR Keenan Allen
The Packers have already signed Mecole Hardman, but more to be a returner. Allen would be a real wide receiver. Even though he’s not in his prime anymore, the veteran had 1,987 yards and 13 touchdowns in the past two years.
Allen had a higher drop rate last year (10.3) on the Chicago Bears, but it seems like a fluky occurrence based on what he’s done throughout his NFL career. He is a positive veteran presence and is healthy, which are important factors for a veteran coming in
DT Taven Bryan
A first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018, he spent the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. While he obviously didn’t pan out as his draft stock would indicate, Bryan is a solid interior rusher, which fits well in Jeff Hafley’s scheme.
After losing TJ Slaton in free agency, the Packers could use more depth, and Bryan is still a relatively young player at 29.
DT/DE Calais Campbell
If Bryan could be a mid-term option, Campbell is certainly a short-term option. But boy is that a great alternative. He will be 39 by Week 1, but last season he still produced at a high level for the Dolphins, generating 39 pressures and five sacks. And that was under a one-year, $2 million contract. It’s extremely hard to get that type of production with this amount of money.
But better than that, Campbell is also extremely reliable as a run defender. According to PFF, he had an 85.9 run defense grade in 2024. And that’s something Green Bay doesn’t have on the roster besides Kenny Clark, because Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks are bad against the run.
OL Isaiah Wynn
Another first-rounder in 2018, Wynn had a really good start to his career for the Patriots, but regressed over the past few years both in New England and Miami. This would be a low-cost signing, just like the Packers did with Andre Dillard last season, for a former high prospect with suspect recent play. The main difference, and advantage for Wynn, is the positional versatility. Throughout his NFL career, Wynn has 2,052 snaps at left tackle, 477 at left guard, 103 at right guard, and 343 at right tackle. For a backup offensive lineman who would offer depth, the ability to play multiple spots is huge.
