The Green Bay Packers have 12 players slated to hit the unrestricted free agent market. As always, some of them will return, some will leave in free agency. But for those who will be in another uniform in 2024, what is the perfect external opportunity?
Let's analyze the ideal outside team to sign each of the Packers free agents — restricted and exclusive rights free agents are not included.
RB AJ Dillon - Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys suffered without a power back since Ezekiel Elliott left to sign with the New England Patriots. Tony Pollard is an efficient runner, but he didn't show what it takes to be a full-time running back. Moreover, Pollard himself is also a free agent. Dillon is exactly what the Cowboys need: a powerful runner, even though not explosive, and he isn't expected to make a lot of money in free agency.
TE Josiah Deguara - San Francisco 49ers
Before the 2020 draft, I saw Deguara as a perfect fit for the 49ers. He ended up with the Packers, which made sense considering the schematic similarities. Now as a free agent, he could finally go to the Niners as a backup plan to Kyle Juszczyk's role.
TE Tyler Davis - Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have zero tight ends on their 90-man roster. Irv Smith Jr. and Drew Sample are unrestricted free agents, while Tanner Hudson and Mitchell Wilcox are restricted. Davis is not a high-end option, but he's a solid depth alternative, with special teams potential to help the team out.
OT Yosh Nijman - Kansas City Chiefs
Donovan Smith is 30, he's not that good, and he's slated to hit the market again. So if they want to sign a short-term option to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side, Yosh Nijman makes more sense. Nijman would be an upgrade over Smith, is younger, and perhaps would be cheaper after a year as a backup in Green Bay.
OG Jon Runyan - Baltimore Ravens
Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson are free agents, so the Ravens need to add interior offensive lineman options. Runyan isn't a great run blocker, but he's a solid pass protector and that's important to play in Todd Monken's offense.
LB Eric Wilson - Seattle Seahawks
Wilson could help as a defensive depth option, but he's mostly a special teams player. And from a culture perspective, it would make sense for the Seahawks to add Wilson and allow him to play under new special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, who is Jim's son.
LB Kristian Welch - Cleveland Browns
The Browns have a clear need at linebacker, and Welch knows the AFC North well after playing three seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. Special teams are his calling card.
CB Keisean Nixon - Detroit Lions
There are two reasons for that, one for each role Nixon is able to execute. Kalif Raymond is a good punt returner, but Nixon would be a major upgrade over Khalil Dorsey as a kickoff returner. Moreover, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley, Will Harris, and Kindle Vildor are all free agents. Nixon would give the Lions slot cornerback depth, maybe even allowing Brian Branch to move to deep safety.
CB Corey Ballentine - Houston Texans
Right now, Derek Stingley Jr. and former Packer Ka'dar Hollman are the only cornerbacks under contract with the Texans for 2024. Ballentine wouldn't be an ideal starter, but he showed with the Packers in 2023 that he can be a useful replacement-level piece.
S Darnell Savage - Buffalo Bills
Micah Hyde and Taylor Rapp are free agents, while Jordan Poyer is entering the final year of his deal. So the Bills could try to replace Hyde with another ex-Packer. Savage had solid performances in 2019 and 2020, but regressed playing under Joe Barry. The Bills could see untapped potential to extract more than the Packers did out of the former first-round pick.
S Rudy Ford - Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' defense is bad, and the secondary is particularly concerning. Kevin Byard is the only solid safety option, but he's getting older and is entering the last year of his deal. They need a reliable option, and that's exactly what Rudy Ford is.
S Jonathan Owens - Washington Commanders
The Commanders need to rebuild their defense. Jonathan Owens isn't a long-term solution, but he can be a useful piece for a transitional year. He has a lot of starting experience in the NFL, and the new defensive staff has two former Packers coaches — they coached in Green Bay before Owens played there, but there's a cultural aspect to scouting that counts. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and pass game coordinator Jason Simmons would possibly like that combination.
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