Remaining Free Agents The Green Bay Packers MUST Pursue
The Green Bay Packers had an impressive start to the 2024 offseason, signing over 100 million dollars worth of contracts between superstars Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney alone. Despite the activity of the Green Bay Packers early, they have been dormant in obtaining new talent since the early start, opting for the re-signing of multiple Packers.
There are questions of depth all along Green Bay’s roster, mainly in positions along the defense like safety, off-ball linebacker, and cornerback, as well as running back on the offense. With contracts being signed all around the league every day, the clock is ticking for the Green Bay Packers to obtain new talent for their 2024-35 season.
The Green Bay Packers Could Target: Jullian Blackmon
Julian Blackmon is a 25-year-old safety drafted in 2020 by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the NFL Draft. In his 50 games played for the Colts Blackmon totaled 214 tackles, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. standing at 6’0 202 lbs Blackmon fits your prototypical safety build.
In 15 games in 2023, Blackmon pulled in a career-high four interceptions which was tied for seventh most league-wide. Blackmon also set a career-high in tackles with 88 including 65 solo tackles. A large part of these stats was his ability to line up anywhere on the field, playing 100+ snaps as the deep safety, box safety, and slot defender.
Blackmon young age fits perfectly with the timeline of the Green Bay Packers and his presence as the safety beside Xavier McKinney would be a perfect match.
Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons has had a questionable start to his career, but as the Green Bay Packers have with Quay Walker, Simmons is an athlete who can cover a lot of field in pass coverage. With the former number 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft, the Packers could find another pure athlete to blanket in coverage alongside Walker.
Isaiah Simmons is likely considered a bust by many, but the 6’4 238 linebacker defensive back hybrid remains a chess piece on defense. With the ability to move around from interior linebacker, to edge, to safety, Isaiah Simmons could find himself winning snaps all over the field for the Packers. Simmons has also not missed a game in his 5-year career, such health would be a commodity on a Packers team that has struggled in that area.
With a move to the Green Bay Packers, Simmons could find himself reunited with his former teammate Xavier Mckinney.
Zach Cunningham
Zach Cunningham is the veteran of this list, at 29 years old the 2nd round pick to the Houston Texans in 2017 has proven himself as a consistent linebacker in the NFL. With over 700 tackles, six sacks, and five forced fumbles in his career, Cunningham would be a perfect compliment as a run-stopper next to Quay Walker.
In 2023 as a member of the Philidelphia Eagles, Zach Cunningham put together a respectable season that PFF graded at 69.4. He displays quick feet and a nose for the football, finding him prone to making noticeable stops. In 2020 he led the entire NFL in tackles.
The Green Bay Packers could use consistency in the tackling department to stay legitimate on defense. His presence could be felt on run-stopping downs in Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 base defense where a linebacker must be able to make the big tackles.
