Free agency will start this week as the new league year gets under way. The Green Bay Packers have some clear needs which they could address in the opening stages of free agency. While I don’t expect a huge, top of the market signing, the Packers could add a few moderately priced players during the first few days of free agency. Here are five players the Packers could realistically target in free agency at positions of need.
Cornerback Roger McCreary, Los Angeles Rams
The Packers have a need at cornerback. They currently lack a number one cover corner and need more depth and talent at the position.
Roger McCreary was a second-round pick by the Titans in 2022. The former Auburn star stands 5’11” and weighs 190 pounds, so he does still fit the Packers usual parameters at the position.
He started as a rookie but was sent to the Rams midway through the 2025 season. He played primarily in the slot in Tennessee but played the boundary with the Rams. The Packers always value versatility and McCreary would give them that.
He also plays the run well and tackles well. He can blitz the quarterback and has recorded four career sacks. McCreary just turned 26 last month so his age fits in the range the Packers prefer for free agents. He will likely earn $10-13 million per year on the market.
Center Cade Mays, Carolina Panthers
With Elgton Jenkins looking like a cap casualty and Sean Rhyan about to hit free agency, a starting center is a big need for the Packers.
Cade Mays would fit with the Packers move to bigger and stronger offensive linemen that started last season with the additions of Anthony Belton and Aaron Banks.
Mays stands 6’6” and weighs 325 pounds. He is a better pass blocker than run blocker. The Tennessee alum is strong but struggles to get to the second level on run blocks.
Mays started 27 games over four seasons with the Panthers since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2022. He will turn 27 in April.
Center Luke Fortner, New Orleans Saints
Luke Fortner wouldn’t provide as much size up front, but he’s more athletic and able to run block better than Mays. Fortner stands 6’4” and 307 pounds. The Jaguars selected him in the third round in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The former Kentucky star started for Jacksonville for his first two NFL campaigns. In 2025, he was traded to the Saints and started 10 games for them.
Fortner will turn 28 in May. He will likely cost more to sign than Mays but may be a better all-around center.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles
If Quay Walker departs as a free agent, the Packers will need a new starting linebacker to replace him. Nakobe Dean would be an interesting gamble for the Packers.
The former Georgia star is undersized at 5’11” and 231 pounds. He also has trouble staying on the field, having missed significant time in two of the three years he’s been a starter with the Eagles.
But when he’s on the field, Dean can be very effective. He recorded four sacks in 10 games for the Eagles in 2025 and recorded seven tackles for loss.
The 25-year-old has good speed and is adequate in coverage, but boy can he get after the passer and make plays.
Would the Packers take a chance on Dean at an expected $10 million AAV? If it works, Dean and Edgerrin Cooper could give the Pack two very dynamic playmakers at linebacker. If he misses significant time due to injury, this could be wasted cap space.
Cornerback Montaric Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars
Montaric Brown would be a lower-cost option at cornerback for the Packers. The former Arkansas star started his NFL career as a seventh-round pick but became a starter in 2024, his third NFL season.
Brown has good size and broke up a total of 20 passes in the last two seasons combined. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 55.9 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Brown last season according to pro-football-reference.com and had a quarterback rating of just 74.3.
He would also cost the Packers an estimated $6 or $7 million per year to sign. He also excels in zone coverage which new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon emphasizes.