The Green Bay Packers submitted a rather underwhelming performance defensively in 2013, and some changes in personnel could be coming. The organization decided to retain defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his 3-4 defense, despite finishing 25th in yards allowed last season. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport also reported last week that the Packers plan to retool the defense with up to five free agents. This report is significant, not only because the Packers are historically passive in free agency under GM Ted Thompson, but because it suggests a change of plans defensively. That could be bad news for several of the Packers' ten defensive free agents.
DT's - B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett: Two players who could be first on the chopping block in a shift to become more athletic on the defensive front are Raji, age 27, and Pickett, 34. The original idea when the Packers switched to the 3-4 was that Raji would grow into the role of a Vince Wilfork, clogging the middle and drawing double-teams. Raji accumulated 6.5 sacks in the Packers' 2010 Super Bowl campaign, but has been shut out the last two seasons.
Pickett has also been held without a sack for the last three seasons and is coming off his lowest tackle total since his rookie season. At his age and weight (340 lbs), the Packers could find a more versatile linemen in free agency or the draft.
Predictions: Raji - Unsigned, Pickett - Unsigned
LB's - Robert Francois, Mike Neal, Jamari Lattimore: After appearing in all 16 regular season games in 2012, Francois, age 28, only played in four games and appeared almost exclusively on special teams. At this point the Packers may deem him expendable and bring in another younger project linebacker to replace him.
Neal, 26, made the shift from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2013, and responded with his best season. Appearing in all 16 games for the first time in his career, Neal totaled 47 tackles and five sacks. Neal is part of a deep market of free agent pass rushers, but the class is top heavy, which could place a premium on lesser known players. The organization is high on Neal, and they will have to be, as he figures to get something in the neighborhood of Erik Walden's four-year, $16 million deal from the Colts last offseason.
Lattimore, 25, provided valuable depth on special teams and linebacker in 2013, serving as the relief for A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones. His 35 tackles were good for fifth best among the Packer linebacker corps, but his resume doesn't exactly warrant a blockbuster deal. Being a restricted free agent, Lattimore will likely be issued a one-year qualifying offer from the Packers. If this offer is matched by another team, the Packers may be awarded a draft pick corresponding to the value of the offer.
Predictions: Francois - Unsigned, Neal - Re-signed 4-year deal, Lattimore - Re-signed 1-year deal
DE - C.J. Wilson, Johnny Jolly: Wilson, 26, and Jolly, 30, could also be casualties of the transition towards more athletic linemen in 2014. Wilson was slowed again by injuries in 2013, and only appeared sparingly in eight games.
After being reinstated following a three-year drug suspension, Jolly gave the Packers a presence in the middle of the defensive front. Playing in 13 games and starting eight, Jolly showed signs of the player he was before his suspension. Unfortunately, it appears the the Packers are trying to get more linemen that resemble 2013 first-round pick Datone Jones (285 lbs), rather than Jolly or Wilson, who both weigh over 300 pounds.
Predictions: Wilson - Unsigned, Jolly - Unsigned
CB - Sam Shields: High on the list of the Packers offseason priorities list should be to retain Shields, 26. After an injury shortened 2012, Shields returned to post a career high 61 tackles while intercepting four passes for the second time in three years. His speed makes him a valuable asset to the Packers defense, and he is molding into a true CB2 behind Tramon Williams. If negotiations reach a stalemate, the Packers could even use their franchise tag on Shields. He is the only Packers free agent that would be worth the kind of money the tag carries with it.
Prediction: Franchise tagged
S - M.D. Jennings, Chris Banjo: Jennings, 25, would appear at first glance to be a valuable member of the Packers defense. He started all 16 regular season games, and came fifth on the team in tackles with 74 total stops. However, it was his play in pass coverage that proved to be a huge liability in 2013. Whether he is retained for 2014 or not, he should not be relied upon as the primary option. Expect Ted Thompson to take a long look at that position this offseason.
Banjo, 23, played mostly on special teams in his rookie 2013 season. He is one of the Packers few in-house options to improving the back end of their secondary. The team could choose to re-sign him to get a full offseason in Capers' system and push whoever is brought in through the draft or free agency.
Predictions: Jennings - Unsigned, Banjo - Re-signed 2-year deal
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