The Green Bay Packers are in the market for talent on the defensive side of the ball. The main position they look to upgrade in the 2024 off-season is safety. Whether they look to aim for a superstar in the position remains to be seen. But given the release of one of the best in the position from the Denver Broncos, it is likely the Green Bay Packers will explore a big-time upgrade.
#3 Super Bowl Starter
When looking for a supplemental playmaker, it is never a bad idea to pursue a player who has proven himself on the biggest stage. One of these starter-level talents that have won at the highest level with includes a pending free agent at the Green Bay Packers biggest position of need.
Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Edwards has shown he can be a part of champion defenses, first in 2021 against the Chiefs, then in 2024 with the Chiefs. Edwards is only 27 years old with two rings on his fingers, that level of experience could be integral to a young team such as the Packers. Likely in the market as one of the cheaper options at the position, there are many valuable aspects to picking up a talent like Mike Edwards.
Though it is unlikely if the Packers would go this route they would stay with only his addition. Given that Edwards would come with a cheaper contract, it would be reasonable for them to pursue another player on this list.
#2 Xavier McKinney
McKinney is only 24 years old as he enters free agency, and the 6’0 201 lbs safety has a lot of value. After tallying up 116 total tackles ( 2 less than the Packers’ leading tackler) along with leading the New York Giants in interceptions, he is slated to join a new team.
One trait the Packers are looking for is versatility, something McKinney certainly supplies. Throughout his short career, he has displayed abilities not only as a deep safety but a box safety as well. While put at number 44 of the top free agents’ list, Pro Football Focus had this to say.
“McKinney’s coverage grades as a free safety (81.4) and in the box (79.4) are top-10 marks among safeties in 2023, and there is a big enough sample size of box play despite his general deployment as a deep player. Over the past three seasons, McKinney’s 7.0 yards allowed per target in coverage ranks top-25 among safeties, and his 17 combined interceptions and forced incompletions put him in the top 20.”
Xavier Mckinney has ties to the Packers. Derrick Ansley was the head of recruiting for the Alabama Crimson Tide when McKinney was scouted to play there. Ansley is now on staff with the Green Bay Packers as a pass defense coordinator. We could see him recruit Mckinney at the next level.
https://twitter.com/UpAndAdamsShow/status/1765798584203555128
#1 Superstar Newly Enters Market
The NFL off-season often comes with the release of many talented players. But it’s overall pretty rare to see one of the caliber of Justin Simmons enter the market.
“Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding matter in which he represented our organization on and off the field.”
Broncos to part ways with S Justin Simmons » https://t.co/JBRaBTQXDs
A statement from the Broncos: pic.twitter.com/CkAQLC6Pd0
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 7, 2024
Justin Simmons measures 6’2 203 lbs at 30 years old. The Boston College alumni entered the NFL in 2016 through the third round of the draft to the Denver Broncos. He measured at a 9.38 Relative Athletic Score as he entered the draft it was clear at his position he would be an electric athlete, but his growth in the game was integral to turning into the superstar he’s considered today.
In Simmons 8 year career (7 as a starter) he has racked up 30 interceptions, good for the most in the NFL in that period. That level of ball-hawking can only be considered elite. Though Simmons is 30 years old, he has a knack for staying healthy. He snapped a 66 consecutive games started streak in 2022, but managed to recover to play 15 games through 2024.
Simmons is not just great on the field, but also off of it. He has been nominated for the league’s most prestigious award three times, which is the Walter Payton Man of the Year. His dedication to Denver’s Boys and Girls Club is admirable, to say the least.
A player of the caliber of Justin Simmons will be a bit of a heftier price tag, though given his age it is possible he takes a bit of a pay cut to compete at the highest level. For the Green Bay Packers it would be a dream scenario to pick him up.
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