Three perfect free agent targets for the Packers

A to Z Sports published a really interesting free agency guide from Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio, projecting the contract structure for the top 40 players slated to hit the market in 2024. From these 40 players, three would be interesting fits for the Green Bay Packers — position, value, and scheme-wise.

So let's put their free agent profiles first (thanks, Josh and Kyle), and then a Packers-centric analysis.

1) WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

• Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
• Projected Contract: 3 yrs $70.5M, $23.5M APY, $45M Fully GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $7.5 million

Free agent profile: Higgins has been an alpha receiver buried behind another alpha receiver as a part of one of the best and deepest receiver rooms in the NFL. As the Robin to Ja'Marr Chase's Batman, Higgins has still shown an ability to be a primary "X" receiver at times over the course of his first four years in the league. Over the course of 2021-2022 Higgins notched 261 targets, 179 catches, 2,577 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging just under 2.00 yards per route run. At 6'4 and 219 lbs. Higgins has prototypical size to complement good speed and can line up both inside and outside.

Outside of Evans, Higgins will be the most sought after receiving option on the market for wide receiver-needy teams. And with the recent explosion in the valuation of the receiver market he will be able to lock in a contract well ahead of other recent "Robins" like Chris Godwin and Mike Williams.

Packers fit: General manager Brian Gutekunst passed on Higgins in 2020, but it was for a good reason — he took quarterback Jordan Love instead. The Packers haven't shown inclination to spend big on wide receivers, but the contract projection of $23.5 million per season is more than reasonable.

The Packers still need a real X receiver — Christian Watson is looking much more like a Z at this point, even when healthy. And while the depth is great with players like Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, a true difference-maker would still make sense to help Jordan Love in his second year as the starter.

S Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots

• Franchise Tag Likelihood: Medium
• Projected Contract: 3 years, $40.5 million, $13.5 APY, $25M GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $7.0 million

Free agent profile: Dugger's best comp for contract extended late in the 2023 season. Grant Delpit agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal with the Browns recently. Over the past three seasons, Dugger has outperformed Delpit in tackles (278 to 276), interceptions (nine to six), passes defensed (20 to 17) and sacks (2.5 to 2.0).

And Dugger is playing more free safety than Delpit recently, which is typically the safety position that gets valued higher in free agency. As a versatile chess piece who can move up high, down into the box as well as play nickel against big slots and cover tight ends, Dugger should have a robust market of suitors who want him to help unlock their defense to be more multiple.

Packers fit: Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers will most likely play a lot of single-high, and Dugger is used to doing so with his experience in New England. It's not a cheap contract, to be sure, but it would be something similar (plus the inflation) of the deal the Packers gave to Adrian Amos in 2019.

Safety is the biggest need for the Packers in 2024 because Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens are all slated to hit the market. Instead of bringing some or all of them back, Gutekunst could make a real investment at the top of the position.

RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

• Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
• Projected Contract: 3 years, $31.5 million, $10.5M APY, $15M GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $4.2 million

Free agent profile: Once considered a generational prospect at running back, injuries have reduced his effectiveness to where Barley will no longer be considered a player who can reset his positional market. Still, Barkley is one of the best in the league at his position and a true three-down back.

With 962 rushing yards and a yards per carry of less than 4.0 in 2023, Barkley’s production fell substantially from the year prior when he re-asserted himself as one of the best in the game. But Barkley was able to eclipse 10 total touchdowns while averaging over 45 catches per season over the past three years.

Long gone are the days where Barkley can be counted on for 3+ yards after contact per carry or a forced missed tackle rate north of 20%. But Barkley's 60 carries of 10+ yards since the beginning of 2022 is second to only one other running back…Christian McCaffrey.

Packers fit: I know, I know. Paying top money to veteran running backs is not the ideal use of resources. But to be fair, the contract projection here is not top money. Moreover, the Packers have a really cheap group of wide receivers and tight ends, which opens the door for bigger investments elsewhere.

Over the last few years, the Packers offense has been much, much worse when Aaron Jones is not on the field, and now AJ Dillon is slated to be a free agent. So, instead of trying to retread something that hasn't worked as well as the Packers hoped, they could add Barkley to create the best running back duo in football.

Barkley's catching ability and home run propensity would be excellent characteristics to add to this young offense.