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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano provided a few Green Bay Packers-related updates on players coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, including notes on quarterback Malik Willis, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker.
The combine is not only a testing ground for the incoming draft class, but also an information gathering point as the offseason heats up and free agency approaches. And the Packers have several players likely to be on the move come March.
Willis and Walker are expected to become highly paid players by next month, while it's possible the Packers could still net something from the expected departure of Jenkins.
On Willis, Fowler pushed back on predictions claiming the free agent quarterback will get $30 million per season on his next contract and pointed to Justin Fields' $20 million deal signed last offseason as a reasonable floor, with upside to $25 million.
"A range of $20-25 million annually is certainly a good starting point. But Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine," Fowler wrote.
Multiple teams are expected to be in on Willis, including the Miami Dolphins, who are run by Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan and expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa. Some teams see Willis as having the ability to be the best rushing quarterback in the NFL.
Opinion: If Willis has multiple suitors, and teams think he can be a game-changing runner as a starter, why wouldn't his market go over $25 million and approach $30 or more? The higher the number, the better for the Packers, who could get a third-round compensatory draft pick in 2027 if Willis signs a big contract.
Here's a potential surprise: Fowler pointed to Jenkins, who is coming off a significant injury and entering the final year of his contract, as a potential trade candidate.
"Two offensive linemen to potentially be included in trades are Green Bay's Elgton Jenkins and Denver's Ben Powers. Both have large cap hits and potential value," Fowler wrote.
Jenkins has been viewed as a near certain cap casualty for the Packers, given his decline in play, injury in 2025 (fractured leg in Week 10) and cap number in 2026 (over $24.3 million). Green Bay needs the cap space. But finding a way to create value from his departure via a trade would be a best-case scenario.
Opinion: Is there a team willing to take on Jenkins' contract? There's no more guaranteed money, but Jenkins has $18.5 million in base salary due in 2026. Maybe a team thinks they can squeeze another 1-2 years of solid play from Jenkins at guard or center and is willing to trade a Day 3 pick or offer a pick swap for the two-time Pro Bowler. The Packers should be all ears if such a team exists.
On Walker, Fowler is confident the free agent left tackle will get to $20 million per year on his next deal. He is seen as a "productive" player who is "hitting the market at the right time," and the offensive line market in free agency is not strong. Walker is a three-year starter at left tackle, a premium position, and there are precious few capable options at tackle entering free agency.
Opinion: All reporting on Walker suggests he's going to be one of the most coveted free agents of this cycle, and his next contract is going to net the Packers' a valuable comp pick in 2027. Jordan Morgan is set to take over at left tackle in 2026.
-- Fowler connected free agent receiver Romeo Doubs with the Buffalo Bills, who are expected to be in the wide receiver market, and the San Francisco 49ers, who run a similar offense.
-- Veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is seen as a possible backup quarterback option for the Packers, although he's a strong option in Los Angeles and Arizona, too.
-- Former Packers cornerback Eric Stokes was highlighted as a "sleeper" free agent.
-- Jaguars free agent cornerback Montaric Brown is also in the "sleeper" category. No reporting here, but Brown looks like a Packers type.
-- Panthers free agent center Cade Mays is expected to get $8 million per year. A possible option for the Packers.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers notes from NFL combine: Malik Willis, Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker
Continue reading...
The combine is not only a testing ground for the incoming draft class, but also an information gathering point as the offseason heats up and free agency approaches. And the Packers have several players likely to be on the move come March.
Willis and Walker are expected to become highly paid players by next month, while it's possible the Packers could still net something from the expected departure of Jenkins.
QB Malik Willis
On Willis, Fowler pushed back on predictions claiming the free agent quarterback will get $30 million per season on his next contract and pointed to Justin Fields' $20 million deal signed last offseason as a reasonable floor, with upside to $25 million.
"A range of $20-25 million annually is certainly a good starting point. But Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine," Fowler wrote.
Multiple teams are expected to be in on Willis, including the Miami Dolphins, who are run by Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan and expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa. Some teams see Willis as having the ability to be the best rushing quarterback in the NFL.
Opinion: If Willis has multiple suitors, and teams think he can be a game-changing runner as a starter, why wouldn't his market go over $25 million and approach $30 or more? The higher the number, the better for the Packers, who could get a third-round compensatory draft pick in 2027 if Willis signs a big contract.
OL Elgton Jenkins
Here's a potential surprise: Fowler pointed to Jenkins, who is coming off a significant injury and entering the final year of his contract, as a potential trade candidate.
"Two offensive linemen to potentially be included in trades are Green Bay's Elgton Jenkins and Denver's Ben Powers. Both have large cap hits and potential value," Fowler wrote.
Jenkins has been viewed as a near certain cap casualty for the Packers, given his decline in play, injury in 2025 (fractured leg in Week 10) and cap number in 2026 (over $24.3 million). Green Bay needs the cap space. But finding a way to create value from his departure via a trade would be a best-case scenario.
Opinion: Is there a team willing to take on Jenkins' contract? There's no more guaranteed money, but Jenkins has $18.5 million in base salary due in 2026. Maybe a team thinks they can squeeze another 1-2 years of solid play from Jenkins at guard or center and is willing to trade a Day 3 pick or offer a pick swap for the two-time Pro Bowler. The Packers should be all ears if such a team exists.
LT Rasheed Walker
On Walker, Fowler is confident the free agent left tackle will get to $20 million per year on his next deal. He is seen as a "productive" player who is "hitting the market at the right time," and the offensive line market in free agency is not strong. Walker is a three-year starter at left tackle, a premium position, and there are precious few capable options at tackle entering free agency.
Opinion: All reporting on Walker suggests he's going to be one of the most coveted free agents of this cycle, and his next contract is going to net the Packers' a valuable comp pick in 2027. Jordan Morgan is set to take over at left tackle in 2026.
Other notes
-- Fowler connected free agent receiver Romeo Doubs with the Buffalo Bills, who are expected to be in the wide receiver market, and the San Francisco 49ers, who run a similar offense.
-- Veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is seen as a possible backup quarterback option for the Packers, although he's a strong option in Los Angeles and Arizona, too.
-- Former Packers cornerback Eric Stokes was highlighted as a "sleeper" free agent.
-- Jaguars free agent cornerback Montaric Brown is also in the "sleeper" category. No reporting here, but Brown looks like a Packers type.
-- Panthers free agent center Cade Mays is expected to get $8 million per year. A possible option for the Packers.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers notes from NFL combine: Malik Willis, Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker
Continue reading...
