After the Green Bay Packers traded away defensive back Rasul Douglas, they faced the challenge of filling the void left not only in talent but also in leadership. Douglas was known for his leadership qualities, which younger players on the Packers’ roster acknowledged they would miss.
However, an intriguing idea has emerged from The Athletic’s beat writer Matt Schneidman, suggesting a potential solution in the form of free agent safety Jordan Fuller, who has served as a captain for the Rams over the past two seasons.
In a recent mailbag session, Schneidman addressed a question about the Packers’ approach to free agency, noting their typically conservative stance. Despite this, he highlighted Fuller as a “name to watch” in the Packers’ potential pursuit of free agents.
“Safety Jordan Fuller, who had three interceptions, three forced fumbles and eight pass breakups in 17 games as a Rams captain last season. He’s 25 years old, played for new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley at Ohio State in 2019 and probably won’t be too expensive.”
Fuller, now entering his fourth NFL season, initially entered the league as a sixth-round pick in 2020. He quickly asserted himself as a starter for the Rams during his rookie year and has maintained that role at safety ever since, aside from a brief setback due to a hamstring injury that limited his playing time in 2022.
Schneidman emphasized Fuller’s value, particularly in light of the Packers’ constrained financial situation. With limited funds available, even after the anticipated departure of tackle David Bakhtiari, Fuller presents an appealing option.
OverTheCap.com valued Fuller at $7.2 million for the previous season. While the Packers are projected to start the offseason $3 million over the salary cap, cutting Bakhtiari should alleviate some of that financial pressure, leaving them approximately $15 million under the cap.
Given the impending free agency of the Packers’ top safeties in terms of snaps taken—Rudy Ford, Darnell Savage, and Jonathan Owens—a pressing need for a safety arises.
Although notable safeties like Antoine Winfield of the Buccaneers and Kyle Dugger of the Patriots will command attention in the free agency market, they may prove too costly for the Packers. Therefore, securing Fuller could offer a more financially viable yet impactful solution to bolster the Packers’ secondary.
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