With the 2020 NFL season over, the Packers set their sights on Super Bowl 56 after making back to back trips to the NFC Championship game in a row. This season was a wild rollercoaster for them. After being blown out by the Buccaneers in week 6, the Packers averaged 31 points per game, produced 15 takeaways on defense, and was the #1 seed in the playoffs. They are just a couple moves away from returning to the super bowl for the first time since 2010. It might be getting a player from free agency or in the draft. However, it may be addition by subtraction, and deciding which free agents to re-sign and which ones should be released. This is part one of a two part series, as we take a look at the Packers free agency class heading into the 2021 offseason.
Marcedes Lewis, TE
As Aaron Rodgers likes to call him, “Big Dog”, Marcedes kind of went under the radar this season. He wasn’t known for his pass catching skills, but for more his involvement in pass and run blocking. With HC Matt Lafleur calling for two TE sets, Lewis was positioned to help block for the running backs and while Rodgers finds the open weapon. In total, he lined up to pass block for 54 snaps, and helped run block for 231 snaps. The 15 year vet only caught 10 out of 15 targets for 107 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The Packers should bring him back on a 1 year deal. His veteran presence helps out the Packers offense and the overall comradery of the team. Robert Tonyan has shined given the opportunities he’s had, and Joseph Deguara will also be returning next year. Green Bay also has Jace Sternberger returning after a concussion knocked him out the last few games of the season. However, Sternberger hasn’t been as productive since he’s been drafted and may be released.
In addition, rookie TE Dominique Daffney showed flashes of his talent after being signed from the practice squad in mid December. Lewis has come out publicly saying he wants to re-sign with Green Bay. There is the chance the Packers release him to save cap space to search free agency for a position in need. Overall, the Packers should resign Lewis to a one year deal, and release Jace Sternberger.
Corey Linsley, C
Other than David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley has been the heart and soul of this offensive line. Despite missing three games this season, he was the #1 ranked Center in the league according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, he earned his first All-Pro team, and committed zero penalties all season. Being a staple on the offensive line, he’s only allowed one sack, two quarterback hits and four hurries. He signed a three year, $25.5M extension back in 2017, and should be resigned to another three year deal.
2020 was the first season where he missed games since 2016 when he missed half the season with a lingering hamstring injury. Since being drafted out of Ohio State in 2014, Linsley has only allowed 18 sacks, 15 quarterback hits and 94 quarterback hurries. Although, Elgton Jenkins filled in nicely when Linsley missed time this season, Linsley is still a generational talent. He turns 30 in July, and has missed 10 games in the last four seasons. The Packers should resign him to a three year, $10-12M extension and keep the offensive line intact.
Jamaal Williams, RB
Williams has come on strong these past two seasons, while rotating with Aaron Jones in the backfield. He is part of the running back by committee Lafleur has implemented into the offense, but proved he can handle a bell cow workload when Jones was injured. Williams has only missed 4 games in the last two seasons, and earned 965 rushing yards, 489 receiving yards and 9 combined touchdowns. The fourth round draft pick in 2017 has become a vital offensive weapon and earned an extension.
With Aaron Jones possibly being released this offseason, Williams has a chance to earn the starting role alongside outstanding rookie AJ Dillon. He recently fired his agent, Chris Cabott, in an attempt to make a deal with Green Bay and re-sign with the team. On the other hand, the Packers have expressed interest in free agent running back James White. The former Patriot (and Wisconsin Native) would be the third down back with Dillon handling the early down carries. If that were the case, Williams would more than likely be released.
Tyler Ervin, RB
Ervin was an offensive weapon used mostly on special teams, returning both kickoffs and punts. He was also involved in a rotation at running back when Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were out, especially in week nine against the 49ers. In that game, he rushed eight times for 24 yards and caught four catches for 48 yards. Overall, he only played 142 offensive snaps, but totaled 15 kickoff and punt returns. Irvin returned 10 kickoffs for 196 yards with a long of 34 yards. Additionally, he also returned five punts for 20 yards with a long of seven yards.
He only suited up for eight games this season. With both Williams and Jones possibly headed into free agency, Ervin should be resigned for a one year deal. He would maintain his special teams role, but still provide depth at running back. If the Packers choose to extend Jamaal Williams, Ervin would be released.
Tyler Lancaster, DE
Lancaster was a great rotational player, behind both Kingsley Keke and Dean Lowry. He even started in three of fifteen games this season. However, that is a big drop off from his previously ten game starts last season. Lancaster made 29 combined tackles this season, but ended up having zero quarterback pressures at all. If the Packers decide to draft a promising young defensive lineman or get aggressive in free agency, Lancaster should be re-signed to a one year deal. But, if the Packers do not decide to go that route, Lancaster would more than likely be released.
In his three seasons in the NFL, he’s only started in 18 of his 43 career games, and didn’t have much playing time this season. He was on the field for over 44% of the defensive snaps in his first six games this season. Since then, he reached that threshold only once. This may be due to the defensive schemes being called by former coordinator Mike Pettine. However, given his lack of production, and younger stars on the rise like Keke, Lancaster would simply provide depth at the position.
Tavon Austin, WR
Austin was signed late in the season, and was used primarily on special teams for punt returns. Through four games with Green Bay, he only made five receptions for twenty yards on offense, and returned five punts for 31 yards this season. In addition, he called for six fair catches, and his longest return was 9 yards. He was signed as a free agent to improve the special teams, but ended up not having much playing time. Austin should be released. He’ll be turning 30 in March, and the Packers will probably be drafting a receiver within their first 3 draft picks.
James Burgess, ILB
Burgess was signed onto the Packers’ active roster on October 20th, after being on the practice squad for Atlanta. He played 100% of his snaps on special teams, recorded three combined tackles and only played four games this season. Unfortunately, he landed on injured reserve at the end of November after suffering a hamstring injury during a special teams play against the Colts.
Burgess will most likely be released, but at age 26 Burgess should be re-signed for a one year deal. He hasn’t played 14 games in a season since his rookie year, and has 91 combined tackles in the past three seasons. That being said, Burgess could make his way into the starting linebacker group as the Packers desperately need help at the position.
Chandon Sullivan, CB
After Tramon Williams left this offseason, Sullivan took on a larger role this season. He played in all 16 games this season, allowed a 67.9% completion rate, and a 95.8 passer rating when targeted. That was a big improvement from his 118.7 passer rating in 2018 when he was released by the Eagles. Sullivan played a majority of his snaps as the slot corner, except in the Jacksonville game when both perimeter corners were out. He ended the year with 41 combined tackles, one interception, and six passes defended. Sullivan proved he can handle a larger role and should be re-signed to a two year deal.
The cornerback position is a huge hole the Packers need to fill this offseason. However, that may be to replace Kevin King who is also a free agent, who by assumption would be released. Sullivan has proven to be a talented slot corner, after played 63% of his snaps there. His best game was against the Lions in week 2, where he had a seven yard pick six. The team may move him to the perimeter momentarily, but he’s proven to be a terrific slot corner as of late.
Robert Tonyan, TE
The Packers found a diamond in the rough with Robert Tonyan. After the Lions cut him back in 2017, the undrafted free agent was signed onto the Packers practice squad. In his first two seasons on the active roster, Tonyan had a combined 14 catches for 177 receiving yards and two touchdowns. This season, he was having a Pro Bowl worthy season by catching 88% of his targets for 586 receiving yards and tied for the most touchdowns in the league (10). Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a productive and reliable tight end for quite some time. Keeping a reliable weapon for him is essential this offseason, and Tonyan should be re-signed to a three year deal.
Recent draft picks Jace Sternberger and Joseph Deguara are proving to be busts, while Tonyan has really come on strong. Granted, Deguara did unfortunately tear his ACL in the beginning of the season, but should be back by the 2021 season. Tonyan is known for is pass catching skills this season, but also played a vital role blocking in two tight end sets. Tonyan will be a huge factor in the Packers offense for years to come.
Malik Taylor, WR
Taylor was mostly involved on special teams, as he returned kickoffs and only lined up on offense for 166 snaps. He did earn six targets and had five receptions for 66 yards and 1 touchdown on offense. On special teams, he averaged 19 yards off of 11 kickoff returns with his longest being 26 yards. Since Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown are on contract until 2022 and he hasn’t had much opportunity on offense, Taylor should be released.
Kabion Ento, CB
Ento was signed by Green Bay back in May of 2019. After being waived on August 31st, he was signed to the practice squad on September 1st. In January of 2020, he signed a one year reserve/future contract with the Packers. Unfortunately, the 25 year old did not suit up for any games this season. He broke a bone in his foot during training camp back in August 2020 and had surgery. Ento was a player the team really liked coming from the practice squad. Kabion spent the entire 2019 season on the practice squad, and had a chance to join the roster in 2020 as a backup corner. Depending on the recovery process of his surgery, there is a chance that he may be released.
Raven Greene, S
Greene was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Packers back in 2018. This season, he recorded 28 tackles in ten games before ending up on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. It’s his third season in a row that’s ended with him going on the injured reserve list. “Yea, that’s a tough one for us” head coach Matt Lafleur said in a interview. “He did a lot for us, not only as a dime linebacker or safety, but also on special teams.” In the ten games, he played no less than 47% of the snaps for seven of those games. He also defended five passes, and had an interception against the 49ers in week nine.
Those 10 games were the most he played in a single season throughout his career. Given he’s been injury prone, and where he is on the depth chart, it may be best if he is released. However, if he can stay healthy, and if the team releases Will Redmond, Greene should be resigned to a one year deal. The coaching staff recognizes him as a hard worker and it’d be a prove it year for Greene.
Want More Great Content?!
Follow me on Twitter, @PackerEddyFF, and follow us @WiscoHeroics1 for more great content! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin Sports, click here.
