With the first wave of free agency behind us, one that sucked up most of the talent off of the board, it’s time to revisit how many difference-makers are really left out there on Day 2 of a weak class. Below are Pro Football Focus’ best available free agents, including their overall ranks in the remaining class, in the Green Bay Packers’ biggest positions of need: wide receiver, defensive tackle and defensive end. Following the signings of guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs yesterday, it’s doubtful the Packers take another swing on the offensive line or at cornerback.
Remaining Wide Receiver Free Agents
#1 Amari Cooper
#2 Stefon Diggs
#10 DeAndre Hopkins
#16 Keenan Allen
#39 Diontae Johnson
#50 Mike Williams
#51 Tyler Lockett
#56 Elijah Moore
#59 Demarcus Robinson
#61 Mecole Hardman
#64 Marquez Valdes-Scantling
#67 Brandin Cooks
#68 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
#71 Noah Brown
#78 Tyler Boyd
#90 JuJu Smith-Schuster
#92 Nelson Agholor
#95 Van Jefferson
#96 Olamide Zaccheaus
There’s some argument that the Packers could still take a look at the players ranked in the top 10 here, Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins, but it seems more likely that Green Bay would rather let their young players continue to develop with on-the-field reps than divert those to veterans who will almost certainly command a decent amount of targets. Honestly, the receiver who makes the most sense for the Packers here is former Packer Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has the frame that Matt LaFleur demands in his run-first scheme and also has the speed to replace what the team is missing from the loss of Christian Watson, who is expected to be out until at least Week 12 of the 2025 season with an ACL tear.
Remaining Defensive Tackle Free Agents
#12 Javon Hargrave
#14 Levi Onwuzurike
#23 Calais Campbell
#48 Maliek Collins
#68 Ta’Quon Graham
#75 Kevin Givens
#79 Roy Lopez
#91 Greg Gaines
Considering how deep the defensive tackle class is in the upcoming draft, it seems unlikely that the Packers would sign an interior player here. Honestly, I’d bet that Green Bay would take a swing on a defensive tackle in the first rounds in April over paying one of Javon Hargrave or Levi Onwuzurike, the only real needle movers left on the market.
Remaining Defensive End Free Agents
#18 Von Miller
#19 Za’Darius Smith
#20 Joey Bosa
#22 Azeez Ojulari
#25 DeMarcus Lawrence
#28 Dante Fowler Jr.
#35 Matthew Judon
#36 Dennis Gardeck
#45 Preston Smith
#47 Joshua Uche
#55 Charles Omenihu
#57 Brandon Graham
#63 Carl Lawson
#77 Emanuel Ogbah
#83 Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
#84 Deatrich Wise Jr.
#86 K’Lavon Chaisson
#88 Anthony Nelson
The Packers are desperate for pressure, especially at the defensive end position. Aside from Rashan Gary, Green Bay is below average across the board in terms of pressure production at the position. If they don’t add someone, either by free agency or trade, there’s no promise that a player better than Kingsley Enagbare or Lukas Van Ness will be available to them with the 23rd overall pick, as edge rushers fly off the board on Day 1 of the draft.
With that being said, there are not many proven pass-rushers who are coming off of productive 2024 seasons left. Von Miller sounds nice in theory, but are the Packers willing to pay all that money for a designated pass-rusher who hasn’t started a game since 2022? Za’Darius Smith and Green Bay clearly have history, but can they get over it? If not, a flier on Joshua Uche as a thrifty designated pass-rusher might be their best plan of action.