Team Needs:

EDGE, OG, FS, TE, SS, LB, WR, OT

Available Draft Picks:

1(12), 1(30), 2(44), 3(76), 4(108), 4(112), 5(140), 6(172), 6(182), 7(204)

Starting Cap Space:

$34,166,842

Trades:

None

Restructures:

TE Jimmy Graham from $12,666,666 to $7,666,666

LB Nick Perry from $14,437,00 to $10,500,000

Jimmy Graham hasn’t panned out so far but rather than release him (which would still cost just under the re-structured deal) the Packers can renegotiate and hope that he helps a young TE that gets brought in or that he can be a better fit in the new offense under Matt LaFleur.  Nick Perry hasn’t lived up to the value of the contract that he signed in 2017, whether it be due to drop in quality of play or injury, he restructures here to prove he was worth the extension in the first place.

Cuts:

DB Tramon Williams to save $4,750,000

This Green Bay secondary is pretty young and they could use the cap space. This makes Tramon Williams, as serviceable as he is, a cap casualty and he’s now looking for a job elsewhere.

Re-signings:

DL Muhammad Wilkerson for 1 year, $5,000,000

WR Geronimo Allison for 1 year, $4,149,000 (1st round tender)

S Kentrell Brice for 1 year, $2,914,000 (2nd round tender)

TE Robert Tonyan Jr for 1 year, $570,000 (ERFA)

DE Reggie Gilbert for 1 year, $645,000 (ERFA)

G Lucas Patrick for 1 year, $645,000 (ERFA)

OT Adam Pankey for 1 year, $645,000 (ERFA)

WR Jake Kumerow for 1 year, $570,000 (ERFA)

I really wanted to bring Jake Ryan back but I feel like there will be teams offering more money than the Packers should be willing to offer. Muhammad Wilkerson missed the last half of the season due to injury but he was playing well prior to the injury so the Packers should be able to bring him back on another one-year deal. Geronimo Allison and Kentrell Brice are both signed to tender deals with Geronimo Allison having a 1st-round tender placed on him and Kentrell Brice having a 2nd-round tender placed on him. Robert Tonyan, Reggie Gilbert, Lucas Patrick, Adam Pankey, and Jake Kumerow are all early-rights free agents this year so re-signing depth on cheap deals should be a fairly easy decision.

Free Agent Signings:

S Earl Thomas for 3 years, $39,750,000

WR Jermaine Kearse for 2 years, $8,500,000

Earl Thomas instantly makes this defense significantly better and he puts the Packers right back into the NFC Championship picture. An absolute game-changer in the secondary, the best safety in the league gets paid like it. Jermaine Kearse isn’t a huge name free agent but he’ll be a steady contributor to the Packers offense and defenses will have to respect him.

Draft Results:

1.12 – Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida

The Packers need some help on the edge so they use their first pick in the first round on just that. Jachai Polite has all of the physical tools to be an effective pass-rusher at the next level with potential through the roof.

1.30 – Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR, Oklahoma

I know a lot of Packers fans are hoping to trade for Antonio Brown but drafting Hollywood Brown here gives the Packers the most explosive player in the draft on a rookie deal, with a fifth-year option without the biggest ego in the NFL. It may not seem as flashy as trading for AB, but it’s the better move. I’m also not worried about his foot injury, he’s a tough player that fought through that injury in the college football playoff and then got surgery afterwards. The injury actually helps the Packers out because his stock would probably skyrocket after he would have lit up the combine. The Aaron Rodgers-Hollywood Brown threat, not even the actual connection but the threat itself would give defensive coordinators nightmares.

2.44 – Elgton Jenkins, IOL, Mississippi State

Jenkins is capable of coming in and contributing immediately along the interior of the Packers offensive line.

3.76 – D’Andre Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Walker was an absolutely dominant pass-rusher at Georgia but given that he played in the SEC and throwing isn’t a priority down there, the numbers won’t replicate that. Walker should have no problem being a successful pass-rusher for the Packers, especially not as their primary pass-rusher.

4.108 – Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo

Letting Jake Ryan go in free agency leaves a spot for competition at inside linebacker. Antonio Morrison will probably get the start going into the season but it’s possible that Khalil Hodge could take snaps away from him early.

4.112 – Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M

Jace Sternberger is one of my favorite tight ends in the NFL draft because he’s a mismatch nightmare from the tight end position so pairing him with Aaron Rodgers should make this one of, if not the biggest, steal of the draft.

5.140 – Anthony Nelson, DL/EDGE, Iowa

Nelson is a mountain of a man at 6’7. He’s a solid all-around defender that isn’t great at any one thing but he can move around the defensive line and make himself useful when he’s given the opportunity.

6.172 – Marquise Blair, S, Utah

Marquise Blair has good coverage skills and he’s not afraid of contact. Blair is a good scheme fit here for Green Bay and he should be able to carve out a nice role for himself in this defense.

6.182 – Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington

Myles Gaskin’s primary role in the Packers offense would just be as a change of pace back when Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams aren’t on the field. He’s a smaller back but he’s quick and capable of making some people miss. Don’t be surprised to see him take snaps and eventually replace Jamaal Williams.

7.204 – Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn

Corey Ballentine isn’t a name that most casual fans know but he’s one that’s been rising up boards since the Senior Bowl given his size, physicality, and speed. This a project pick but in the seventh round that’s acceptable.

Cap Space Spent on Re-signings:

$14,568,000

Cap Space Spent on Free Agents:

$17,500,000

Cap Space Spent on Draft Picks:

$10,263,680

Total Cap Remaining:

$992,662

Backfield Starters

QB: Aaron Rodgers

RB: Aaron Jones

Receiver Starters

WR1: Davante Adams

WR2: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Slot: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown

TE1: Jimmy Graham

TE2: Jace Sternberger

Offensive Line Starters

LT: David Bakhtiari

LG: Lane Taylor

C: Corey Linsley

RG: Elgton Jenkins

RT: Bryan Bulaga

Defensive Line Starters

WDE: Muhammad Wilkerson

NT: Kenny Clark

SDE: Mike Daniels

Linebacker Starters

WLB: Jachai Polite

WILB: Blake Martinez

SILB: Antonio Morrison/Khalil Hodge

SLB: D’Andre Walker

Secondary Starters

CB1: Kevin King

CB2: Jaire Alexander

Slot: Josh Jackson

FS: Earl Thomas III

SS: Kentrell Brice

Special Teamers

K: Mason Crosby

P: JK Scott

KOS: Mason Crosby

LS: Hunter Bradley

KR: Jaire Alexander

PR: Jamaal Williams