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NFL free agency is just a few days away, meaning a whole host of veteran players are about to find new homes and receive life-changing money. While they will not have the kind of budget to go on a spending spree, the Green Bay Packers should be in the mix and are likely to add at least a couple of players to help improve the roster ahead of the 2026 season.
The prototype Packers free agent signing has been a second-contract player aged 27 or younger who also fits the typical size the team looks for at their specific position.
They have almost always been brought in to replace a failed premium draft pick, or a highly paid veteran coming to the end of their time in Green Bay. With that in mind, here are some realistic targets for the Packers to potentially sign next week:
If Elgton Jenkins and Sean Rhyan are not on the team, which seems to be the inevitable conclusion, the Packers will need a new center.
Mays took over a true starting role last season for the Panthers after also starting eight games in 2024, posting PFF pass blocking grades of 74.9 in 2024 and 67.6 in 2025, with run blocking grades of 66.9 and 58.3.
He turns 27 this year and is coming off his rookie contract and has experience playing at both center and guard which could appeal to Green Bay as they value versatility in their O-linemen. At just over 6-4 ½ and 311 pounds, he has the size to be more than ‘just’ a center.
In terms of cheaper options, Luke Fortner, who had something of a breakout season in New Orleans with 72.5 pass and 65.3 run block grades, could make some sense, and is projected to make $6.2 million in AAV per Over The Cap. He is probably a center only and turns 28 this year.
Keeping Sean Rhyan could also be in play. He only turns 26 this year and has the flexibility to play anywhere on the interior, but his performance at center for the Packers in 2025 was not anything to write home about.
This free agency class has precious few defensive tackles under the age of 30, so if the Packers want to stick to their usual type and add a player to help belatedly replace Kenny Clark after he was traded away last year, Hall may be the most logical fit.
He is not a conventional defensive tackle at over 6-6 and 283 pounds, and is more of a tweener, having essentially split his time evenly between playing in the B gap and over the tackle, with some snaps lined up outside the tackle as well.
The former 33rd overall pick has improved each year and had his best season in 2025, racking up 32 pressures and 17 run stops. He also had six sacks (using PFFs numbers which count half sacks as full ones) in 2024.
He turns 26 this year and could be a versatile piece for Gannon’s defense, with Green Bay’s new coordinator famous for his “I don’t have a scheme” mantra.
This would be dependent on Rashan Gary and the Packers parting ways; a development that seems to be on the way after Gary’s Instagram false start on Friday.
Ossai’s snap count has increased each year and he put up a career high 43 pressures, five sacks and 21 run stops in 2025. He will be 26 this season and could serve as a quality No. 3 defensive end.
Retaining Kingsley Enagbare is another option. He is projected to make $5.9 million in AAV and just turned 26, is a strong run defender with 23 stops in 2025, but never had more than 27 pressures in a season. Green Bay may look to either get decisively better or give their younger pass a chance.
The buzz around Chenal is that this projection is too low, and it is easy to see why he would have strong interest ahead of his age 26 season. Green Bay’s interest would depend on Quay Walker departing in free agency and the team not believing Ty’Ron Hopper is ready to step in.
Chenal posted run defense grades of 72, 90.6, 90.1 and 76.2 in his four years with the Chiefs and averaged a missed tackle rate of just 8% during that time. He also had coverage grades of 62.6, 61.1, 69.6 and 72.6.
The former Badger has never been a full time player in the NFL though, with 527 his highest snap count in a season (he was 64th in snaps at the linebacker position in 2025).
He did rank 10th in snaps lining up outside the tackle though, which speaks to the ability to use Chenal in different ways and weaponize him at the line of scrimmage. That could appeal to Gannon and Green Bay.
Watson has been a picture of consistency in coverage during his tenure in Kansas City, with very solid grades of 66.2, 71.7 and 68.4 since 2023. He did not allow a touchdown last season and also markedly improved his run defense, missing just 5.8% of his tackle attempts.
He is a little older, turning 28 in September, but has good size at 6-2 and 197 pounds, which should be attractive to the Packers. Watson is not a game changer, but would provide a steady hand in coverage if Green Bay is in the market for one, which may only be the case if Nate Hobbs leaves.
If Green Bay cannot fish in those financial waters, Montaric Brown would be a logical alternative at a more reasonable $9.2 million projected AAV. The 6-0, 196-pound corner broke out last year with the Jaguars, recording a 74 PFF coverage grade, and turns 27 in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Realistic Packers free agency plan: 5 targets at key positions of need
Continue reading...
The prototype Packers free agent signing has been a second-contract player aged 27 or younger who also fits the typical size the team looks for at their specific position.
They have almost always been brought in to replace a failed premium draft pick, or a highly paid veteran coming to the end of their time in Green Bay. With that in mind, here are some realistic targets for the Packers to potentially sign next week:
Center: Cade Mays - $12.3M projected AAV
If Elgton Jenkins and Sean Rhyan are not on the team, which seems to be the inevitable conclusion, the Packers will need a new center.
Mays took over a true starting role last season for the Panthers after also starting eight games in 2024, posting PFF pass blocking grades of 74.9 in 2024 and 67.6 in 2025, with run blocking grades of 66.9 and 58.3.
He turns 27 this year and is coming off his rookie contract and has experience playing at both center and guard which could appeal to Green Bay as they value versatility in their O-linemen. At just over 6-4 ½ and 311 pounds, he has the size to be more than ‘just’ a center.
In terms of cheaper options, Luke Fortner, who had something of a breakout season in New Orleans with 72.5 pass and 65.3 run block grades, could make some sense, and is projected to make $6.2 million in AAV per Over The Cap. He is probably a center only and turns 28 this year.
Keeping Sean Rhyan could also be in play. He only turns 26 this year and has the flexibility to play anywhere on the interior, but his performance at center for the Packers in 2025 was not anything to write home about.
Defensive tackle: Logan Hall - $8M projected AAV
This free agency class has precious few defensive tackles under the age of 30, so if the Packers want to stick to their usual type and add a player to help belatedly replace Kenny Clark after he was traded away last year, Hall may be the most logical fit.
He is not a conventional defensive tackle at over 6-6 and 283 pounds, and is more of a tweener, having essentially split his time evenly between playing in the B gap and over the tackle, with some snaps lined up outside the tackle as well.
The former 33rd overall pick has improved each year and had his best season in 2025, racking up 32 pressures and 17 run stops. He also had six sacks (using PFFs numbers which count half sacks as full ones) in 2024.
He turns 26 this year and could be a versatile piece for Gannon’s defense, with Green Bay’s new coordinator famous for his “I don’t have a scheme” mantra.
EDGE: Joseph Ossai - $9.2M projected AAV
This would be dependent on Rashan Gary and the Packers parting ways; a development that seems to be on the way after Gary’s Instagram false start on Friday.
Ossai’s snap count has increased each year and he put up a career high 43 pressures, five sacks and 21 run stops in 2025. He will be 26 this season and could serve as a quality No. 3 defensive end.
Retaining Kingsley Enagbare is another option. He is projected to make $5.9 million in AAV and just turned 26, is a strong run defender with 23 stops in 2025, but never had more than 27 pressures in a season. Green Bay may look to either get decisively better or give their younger pass a chance.
Linebacker: Leo Chenal - $4.6M projected AAV
The buzz around Chenal is that this projection is too low, and it is easy to see why he would have strong interest ahead of his age 26 season. Green Bay’s interest would depend on Quay Walker departing in free agency and the team not believing Ty’Ron Hopper is ready to step in.
Chenal posted run defense grades of 72, 90.6, 90.1 and 76.2 in his four years with the Chiefs and averaged a missed tackle rate of just 8% during that time. He also had coverage grades of 62.6, 61.1, 69.6 and 72.6.
The former Badger has never been a full time player in the NFL though, with 527 his highest snap count in a season (he was 64th in snaps at the linebacker position in 2025).
He did rank 10th in snaps lining up outside the tackle though, which speaks to the ability to use Chenal in different ways and weaponize him at the line of scrimmage. That could appeal to Gannon and Green Bay.
Cornerback: Jaylen Watson - $12.5M projected AAV
Watson has been a picture of consistency in coverage during his tenure in Kansas City, with very solid grades of 66.2, 71.7 and 68.4 since 2023. He did not allow a touchdown last season and also markedly improved his run defense, missing just 5.8% of his tackle attempts.
He is a little older, turning 28 in September, but has good size at 6-2 and 197 pounds, which should be attractive to the Packers. Watson is not a game changer, but would provide a steady hand in coverage if Green Bay is in the market for one, which may only be the case if Nate Hobbs leaves.
If Green Bay cannot fish in those financial waters, Montaric Brown would be a logical alternative at a more reasonable $9.2 million projected AAV. The 6-0, 196-pound corner broke out last year with the Jaguars, recording a 74 PFF coverage grade, and turns 27 in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Realistic Packers free agency plan: 5 targets at key positions of need
Continue reading...
