September 19, 2024

Packers’ Top Players in 2024 NFL Free Agency

Matt LaFleur's ability to build trust, starting with Aaron Rodgers, is key  to the Packers' success - The Athletic

The Green Bay Packers should be a lot more active in 2024 NFL Free Agency than they were in the 2023 free agent cycle.

Of course, that’s an incredibly low bar to clear. The Packers made almost no major signings last season. A month into free agency their biggest external signing was arguably long-snapper Matt Orzech.

This year, things should be a little different. The Packers are at least under the cap (by $350,000) this season and there aren’t many pressing internal free agents that demand to be re-signed. Once the Packers make some cuts, restructures or trades they should have a little free agent budget to improve their roster.

They will still need to spend their money wisely, though. While it’s fun to connect the team to some bigger-name free agents they have to be fiscally responsible with how they continue to build the roster.

These free agents should be avoided either because of their projected price tag, fit with the team or positional value.

RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders news: Josh Jacobs not ranked super high on top running back list -  Silver And Black Pride

The running back position is one to watch for the Packers this offseason. A.J. Dillon is set to be a free agent and Aaron Jones carries a $17.6 million cap hit that will need to be addressed somehow.

Dillon’s inefficiency (3.4 yards per carry) and Jones’ contract situation are bound to have some calling for the Packers to blow up their backfield. PFF already named the Packers a top landing spot for Raiders free agent running back Josh Jacobs, noting that the Packers tried to trade for Jonathan Taylor last season.

That was before Jones ripped off

However, letting go of Jones only to pay Jacobs a high-dollar deal defeats the purpose of getting rid of Jones in the first place.

Jones turned 29 in December so he’s definitely entering in the danger zone for running back health and he missed six games this season due to various injuries. He was instrumental in the team’s playoff upset of the Dallas Cowboys with three rushing touchdowns and 118 yards on 21 carries.

Jacobs is three years younger, but he actually has more career carries. Thanks to his featured back role with the Raiders, he has 1,305 career carries just five seasons into his career, including 340 last year when he led the league in rushing.

The Packers might want to find a way to retain Jones at a lower cap number, but either way they would be better to utilize the draft to find the his next running mate or his successor.

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