Not counting offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, who was released Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers have 19 total free agents. Of those 19, nine are offensive players. Ted Thompson is historically very stingy when it comes to handing out cash in free agency, but there are a few names that should return if the price is right.
QB - Matt Flynn: Flynn (28) was signed to a one-year deal and served as a crucial stop-gap at the quarterback position in 2013, winning two games in four starts. He fooled several teams into thinking he was more than a system-quarterback in his first trip to free agency, signing a 3-year $26 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. After losing his job to Russell Wilson, Flynn bounced around to the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills before winding up back in Green Bay.
This time around, there likely won't be as many teams chomping at the bit for a QB whose 6-TD game is looking more like a fluke than a sign of promise. Nevertheless, in Mike McCarthy's system, Flynn showed he can control the offense and finish drives. With the mishandling of the backup quarterback position that took place in 2013, Thompson could avoid a similar snafu in 2014 by re-signing Flynn.
Prediction: Re-signed, 2-year deal
HB - James Starks: Starks (27) had a quietly productive 2013 season, rushing for 493 yards while serving as Eddie Lacy's primary backup. With injury issues appearing to be a thing of the past, Starks provided a shifty compliment to Lacy's downhill running style. His 89 carries may not have been a large enough sample size to draw significant free agent dollars however, which bodes well for his chances staying in Green Bay for 2014. After being a position of weakness just a season ago, the Packers backfield will be multi-faceted with speedster DuJuan Harris, second-year pro Johnathan Franklin, and the powerful Lacy. Adding Starks to that mix will ensure the Packers will have fresh legs to help make a deep playoff run in 2014.
Prediction: Re-signed, 3-year deal
TE - Jermichael Finley: Finley (26) was beginning to show signs of taking the next step to becoming an elite tight end in 2013 before an unfortunate spine injury ended his season. The Packers elected not to extend Finley last offseason, who figures to ask for much more than his flashy resume may warrant. His agent Blake Baratz says that Finley should be fully healed and cleared to resume football activity in the next 4-8 weeks.
The lingering injury risk combined with the likelihood that Finley will not accept a discount to remain in Green Bay could very well mean his days as a Packer are numbered.
Prediction: Unsigned
FB - John Kuhn: Kuhn (31) has become somewhat of a folk hero in Green Bay, but his recognition is beginning to extend beyond the gates of Titletown. Pro Football Focus gave Kuhn a 9.6 rating for his performance in 2013, ranking him as the top free agent fullback available this offseason. The next highest score was given to Greg Jones II of Houston, who received a 4.7 rating.
Much of that rating comes from Kuhn's ability as a pass blocker. In addition to converting a fourth down against the Bears in Week 17, his head's up chip of Julius Peppers allowed Aaron Rodgers just enough room to escape and deliver the winning TD-pass to Randall Cobb. Green Bay did sign FB Ina Liaina to a reserve/futures contract, which may be a sign to Kuhn that the team is willing to move on unless he takes a pay cut.
Prediction: Re-signed, 3-year deal
QB - Seneca Wallace: Wallace (33) was signed at the conclusion of the 2013 preseason when the Vince Young experiment failed. He finished the Bear game that Rodgers broke his collarbone, and started the next game against Philadelphia before leaving with a hamstring injury and being put on IR the next week. His arm strength was virtually non-existent in 2013 and it would be no stretch to assume he is not part of the team's long-term plans.
Prediction: Unsigned
C - Evan Dietrich-Smith: After taking over for Jeff Saturday in the later stages of 2012, Dietrich-Smith (27) became the full-time starter at center in 2013. He lead an offensive line that lost its starting left tackle to a season-ending injury to a sacks allowed total of six fewer than 2012. The market of centers is rather deep, with at least five or six legitimate starters available, which could lower Dietrich-Smith's market value.
The Packers will likely bring in a center through the draft or undrafted free-agency, but Dietrich-Smith should be a high priority to retain.
Prediction: Re-signed, 4-year deal
WR - James Jones: Jones who will be 30 at the start of next season, regressed rather predictably from his 14-touchdown campaign in 2012. Despite receiving only five fewer targets in 2013 than the year prior, he was not a red zone threat, catching only three touchdowns. With Randall Cobb gone for a majority of the season and Greg Jennings moving on to Minnesota, Jones was supposed to become a greater part of the offense. Any team that pays Jones number-one receiver money could be severely disappointed with his propensity for dropping catchable passes.
That, coupled with a deep receiver market, could mean Jones doesn't receive a good enough offer to move on.
Prediction: Re-signed, 3-year deal
Marshall Newhouse: Newhouse (25) had a prime opportunity to regain a starting role when Bryan Bulaga tore his ACL in training camp, but lost out to rookie David Bakhtiari. Ted Thompson has overhauled the offensive tackle position in recent years by drafting Bakhtiari, Bulaga, and Derek Sherrod, making Newhouse expendable. The Packers will also need to save cap room for the contracts of Bulaga and Sherrod, which both expire after 2014.
Prediction: Unsigned
Andrew Quarless: After Jermichael Finley's injury, Quarless (25) stepped in and filled a hole at tight end. He wasn't an overwhelming threat, with only two receiving touchdowns, but provided a steady safety valve for Matt Flynn in several late-season games. Quarless has room to grow in the Packers system, and is much more likely to be retained than Finley.
Thompson can afford to low-ball Quarless due to a deep tight end market highlighted by Jimmy Graham.
Prediction: Re-signed, 3-year deal
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