It has been a busy free agency period for the Packers. We will see how it goes but most of the action so far has been anticipated. When free agency started these were the Packers free agents:

The Packers have 14 unrestricted free agents (URFA); RB Tyler Ervin, FB Danny Vitale, S Will Redmond, S Ibraham Campbell, CB Tramon Williams, OLB Kyler Fackrell, ILB Blake Martinez, ILB BJ Goodson, OT Bryan Bulaga, OT Jared Valdheer, OT Jason Spriggs, WR Geronimo Allison, WR Ryan Grant, and TE Mercedes Lewis.

The Packers have 1 restricted free agent (RFA); FB Malcom Johnson

The Packers have 5 exclusive rights free agents (ERFA); TE Robert Tonyan, WR Jake Kumerow, WR Allen Lazard, CB Chandon Sullivan, and DL Tyler Lancaster.

 

Moves we know the Packers have made include the following. TE Jimmy Graham was cut a week before free agency to help create some cap room and opportunity for others. That makes TE Jace Sternberger the new number one tight end for the moment. He had been growing in playing time toward the end of last season and caught a touchdown pass in the NFC Championship game vs. the 49ers. The Packers have signed former Browns LB Christian Kirksey. He was released by the Browns making him fair game for whoever wanted to sign him. He comes with an injury history and for me that is a concern. But he is a good player when healthy. The Packers have agreed to terms with RT Rick Wagner who was cut by the Lions. The Packers have also re-signed K Mason Crosby for 3 more years. Other Packer URFAs re-signed by Green Bay include Lewis and Redmond. The Packers have tendered all of their ERFAs – so they will be back. And finally, the Packers have indicated that they will open talks with one of next year’s potential URFAs, RB Aaron Jones. If they re-sign him it will take one guy off next year’s plate.

 

This is just speculation but URFA’s expected back include; Ervin – he improved special teams and he could help spark the running game – I noticed they played him instead of RB Dexter Williams when they used a third running back, Vitale – if anything they didn’t use him enough last year, Campbell – I think the Packers like him, Valdheer – he says that he still wants to play and the Packers have talked to him about that, URFA’s that are questionable to return include; Williams – he may be too old or the Pack may be ready to move on, Allison – his target vs. catch percentage went down with Adams off the field, and Grant – I do not have enough information, Spriggs – his ineffectiveness continues so I think the Packers move on from him, and. I also don’t know about RFA FB Malcom Johnson who spent most of last year on injured reserve. I would doubt that he would be tendered.

 

The following Packer URFA’s have signed with another team; Fackrell – with the Giants, Martinez – with the Giants, Bulaga – with the Chargers, and Goodson – with the Browns.

 

To date there is no mention of using either the transition or franchise tags in Green Bay. Again, none of this changes who the Packers preferred fantasy starters are. They are QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones, WR Davante Adams – and depending on how you view it, PK Mason Crosby, and the Packer Defense. Next month I will have a free agency update along with a pre draft review of the Packer needs. I would get your draft weekend snack shopping done now while the stores are still open. What would the draft be without a few "Cheetos" between Packer picks?

 

End.