The Green Bay Packers have numerous holes that they will need to fill on their roster this offseason. Of course, the front office will look to find some impact players in the NFL Draft. However, it will also be necessary for the Packers to explore signing some free agent players as well. Of course, the front office will do its due diligence in exploring all of their free agent options. This Sunday, the Super Bowl will give the Packers and other NFL teams a chance to get a final look at some upcoming free agents.
Green Bay Packers Free Agent Target #1: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Chiefs)
Allen Lazard has already stated the believes that he has played his last game with the Green Bay Packers. Randall Cobb is not under contract for next season and his future is very much up in the air. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are clearly the future at wide receiver for the Packers, but only have one NFL season under their belt. Samori Toure, Bo Melton, and Jeff Cotton round up the remainder of the wide receivers Green Bay has under contract for 2023.
Regardless of Aaron Rodgers’ decision for next season, the Packers must address their wide receiver room. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is finishing his one-year $3.76 million contract with the Chiefs. This past season, Smith-Schuster had arguably the second-best season of his career. In 2022, he totaled 78 receptions, 933 yards, and three touchdowns.
The 2018 Pro Bowl wide receiver will surely look to make more money in free agency this offseason. However, Green Bay can afford him if they want to by restructuring current contracts. With wide receiver an obvious weakness on the offense, getting a quality veteran in Smith-Schuster makes a lot of sense.
Green Bay Packers Free Agent Target #2: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Eagles)
Put this under wishful thinking, as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will be signed for big money in free agency. However, if the Packers are truly going to improve the safety position and put the best team on the field, Gardner-Johnson would be well-worth signing.
Formerly of the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson has enjoyed the best season of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. While playing in just 12 games, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL with six interceptions. He had 67 tackles, including five for a loss and a sack. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 78.4 passer rating when targeting receivers he covered, which is a far better mark that Darnell Savage or Adrian Amos had this past season.
As mentioned previously, Gardner-Johnson is a free agent that may very well be out of the Packers’ price range. However, with only Darnell Savage returning (and his best play in 2022 coming after switching to the slot), safety may be a position that the front office may want to address with a free agent.
Green Bay Packers Free Agent Target #3: Juan Thornhill (Chiefs)
A less expensive option at safety on the free agent market would be Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill. The fourth-year pro already has one Super Bowl victory under his belt and could have another one come Sunday.
Thornhill had a solid 2022 season, registering 71 tackles (four for a loss), one sack, and three interceptions. However, he did struggle in pass coverage as opposing quarterbacks had a 105.6 passer rating when targeting him. That being said, Thornhill did deflect a career-high nine passes this past season.
The decision on whether or not to explore signing Thornhill will depend on if Green Bay believes he can continue to improve as a player. If so, he would be a low-risk high-reward signing with plenty of Super Bowl experience.
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