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After looking at some realistic, ‘Packersy’ free agent targets, let’s expand our minds a little and pick out some players who do not fit the usual prototype of a Green Bay free agent signing, with the sole goal of raising the team’s ceiling for 2026.
Brian Gutekunst has generally stuck to signing free agents who are entering their second contract, under 28 years old and that fill an overt need created by the departure of an important veteran or a draft pick that did not pan out.
Here are some potential options for Green Bay who break the mold:
Tight end is not a glaring need, as the Packers have Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave coming back, but they could benefit from more of a blocking tight end with John FitzPatrick out of the picture with a long-term injury.
Kolar had a 71.5 run blocking grade in 2025, which was 10th in the NFL and up from 62.5 the year before. He has never had more than ten receptions in a season but was stuck behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely on the depth chart in Baltimore. He just turned 27.
He has athletic upside, posting a 9.10 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) including a 4.62 40-yard dash, and is a big man at nearly 6-5 and 252 pounds, with 34.5” arms. The untapped potential as a receiver could make him a steal for whoever signs him.
Another option could be Daniel Bellinger from the Giants. He never topped 290 yards in a season and is more a satisfactory blocker with 60.9 and 62.9 grades over the last two years, but is another strong athlete, registering a 9.65 RAS including a 4.63 40 at over 6-4 ⅔ and 253 pounds.
Bellinger has gotten lost behind different tight ends but could make sense as a longer-term backup to Kraft when Musgrave likely moves on. His projected AAV of $2.5 million is actually more than Kolar, but it seems there is buzz around Kolar and he may make considerably more.
Of the 127 eligible defensive tackles in 2025, Green Bay’s top four of Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt and Warren Brinson ranked 88th, 109th, 110th and 115th in PFF run defense grade. That has to change.
Green Bay does not usually go for grizzled veterans on short-term contracts, but that’s what the free agent market is bringing at defensive tackle this year, and there are a bunch of options that would improve their run defense overnight.
Onyemata ranked eighth overall in run defense grade last season. He turns 34 this year but he actually improved from 2024, indicating he is not trending the wrong way. He also had a 67.1 pass rush grade last year and played 633 snaps overall.
Beyond Onyemata, there are a gaggle of logical options to help the defense, and specifically the run defense, including Calais Campbell, Roy Lopez, John Franklin-Myers, Shelby Harris, Da’Quan Jones and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Will the Packers break precedent to sign one?
If Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare both find pastures new, the Packers could use a third edge rusher to put alongside Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness. Whoever that player is will probably need to start opposite Van Ness to open the season, before Parsons returns from injury.
Clowney has made a great career out of being a hired gun, and has not shown signs of slowing down, at least in terms of production.
He did only play 372 snaps last year, his lowest since 2014 (when he suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie), but still managed 40 pressures and 9 sacks (using PFFs numbers) in that time as well as 27 stops in the run game.
The 33-year-old could start the season across from LVN, then become a rotational rusher once Parsons is back. He would not threaten Van Ness’s long term role on the team or stunt his development, which would be a consideration.
Davis has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over an impressively long period. In his age 37 season, he posted a PFF grade of 81.4 and played over 1,000 snaps for the Saints.
If he wants to chase a ring in Green Bay on a one-year deal, he could provide an upgrade over Quay Walker as the team’s Mike linebacker, helping to usher in Jonathan Gannon’s defense and also provide a great mentor for Edgerrin Cooper in his third year.
In seven NFL seasons, Dean has never had a PFF coverage grade lower than 72.5. He has four interceptions to just one touchdown allowed since 2024 and last year allowed a passer rating of just 47.7.
He would instantly be Green Bay’s best cornerback, but is not their usual type as he turns 30 this year. The decline can come quickly at that position, and he will probably get paid more than any other free agent cornerback, which could take the Packers out of contention if they were interested.
There is another corner available who just turned 27 and had a breakout season in his fifth year, with a 73.5 coverage grade. It’s Eric Stokes! That relationship is probably over, but the team at least has familiarity with Stokes and could at least discuss the idea of a reunion.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Idealistic Packers free agency plan: 5 targets to raise 2026 ceiling
Continue reading...
Brian Gutekunst has generally stuck to signing free agents who are entering their second contract, under 28 years old and that fill an overt need created by the departure of an important veteran or a draft pick that did not pan out.
Here are some potential options for Green Bay who break the mold:
Tight end: Charlie Kolar - $1.7M projected AAV
Tight end is not a glaring need, as the Packers have Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave coming back, but they could benefit from more of a blocking tight end with John FitzPatrick out of the picture with a long-term injury.
Kolar had a 71.5 run blocking grade in 2025, which was 10th in the NFL and up from 62.5 the year before. He has never had more than ten receptions in a season but was stuck behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely on the depth chart in Baltimore. He just turned 27.
He has athletic upside, posting a 9.10 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) including a 4.62 40-yard dash, and is a big man at nearly 6-5 and 252 pounds, with 34.5” arms. The untapped potential as a receiver could make him a steal for whoever signs him.
Another option could be Daniel Bellinger from the Giants. He never topped 290 yards in a season and is more a satisfactory blocker with 60.9 and 62.9 grades over the last two years, but is another strong athlete, registering a 9.65 RAS including a 4.63 40 at over 6-4 ⅔ and 253 pounds.
Bellinger has gotten lost behind different tight ends but could make sense as a longer-term backup to Kraft when Musgrave likely moves on. His projected AAV of $2.5 million is actually more than Kolar, but it seems there is buzz around Kolar and he may make considerably more.
Defensive tackle: David Onyemata - $8.6M projected AAV
Of the 127 eligible defensive tackles in 2025, Green Bay’s top four of Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt and Warren Brinson ranked 88th, 109th, 110th and 115th in PFF run defense grade. That has to change.
Green Bay does not usually go for grizzled veterans on short-term contracts, but that’s what the free agent market is bringing at defensive tackle this year, and there are a bunch of options that would improve their run defense overnight.
Onyemata ranked eighth overall in run defense grade last season. He turns 34 this year but he actually improved from 2024, indicating he is not trending the wrong way. He also had a 67.1 pass rush grade last year and played 633 snaps overall.
Beyond Onyemata, there are a gaggle of logical options to help the defense, and specifically the run defense, including Calais Campbell, Roy Lopez, John Franklin-Myers, Shelby Harris, Da’Quan Jones and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Will the Packers break precedent to sign one?
EDGE: Jadeveon Clowney - $5.7M projected AAV
If Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare both find pastures new, the Packers could use a third edge rusher to put alongside Micah Parsons and Lukas Van Ness. Whoever that player is will probably need to start opposite Van Ness to open the season, before Parsons returns from injury.
Clowney has made a great career out of being a hired gun, and has not shown signs of slowing down, at least in terms of production.
He did only play 372 snaps last year, his lowest since 2014 (when he suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie), but still managed 40 pressures and 9 sacks (using PFFs numbers) in that time as well as 27 stops in the run game.
The 33-year-old could start the season across from LVN, then become a rotational rusher once Parsons is back. He would not threaten Van Ness’s long term role on the team or stunt his development, which would be a consideration.
Linebacker: Demario Davis - $9.5M projected AAV
Davis has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over an impressively long period. In his age 37 season, he posted a PFF grade of 81.4 and played over 1,000 snaps for the Saints.
If he wants to chase a ring in Green Bay on a one-year deal, he could provide an upgrade over Quay Walker as the team’s Mike linebacker, helping to usher in Jonathan Gannon’s defense and also provide a great mentor for Edgerrin Cooper in his third year.
Cornerback: Jamel Dean - $12.5M projected AAV
In seven NFL seasons, Dean has never had a PFF coverage grade lower than 72.5. He has four interceptions to just one touchdown allowed since 2024 and last year allowed a passer rating of just 47.7.
He would instantly be Green Bay’s best cornerback, but is not their usual type as he turns 30 this year. The decline can come quickly at that position, and he will probably get paid more than any other free agent cornerback, which could take the Packers out of contention if they were interested.
There is another corner available who just turned 27 and had a breakout season in his fifth year, with a 73.5 coverage grade. It’s Eric Stokes! That relationship is probably over, but the team at least has familiarity with Stokes and could at least discuss the idea of a reunion.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Idealistic Packers free agency plan: 5 targets to raise 2026 ceiling
Continue reading...
