With Safety Eric Reid signing with the Carolina Panthers, let’s take a look at who is currently not on a team or practice squad that the Packers could sign. Obviously, Eric Reid was the player that most fans were hoping that General Manager Brian Gutekunst would bring in to help the defense. The Packers recently sign Cornerback Tony Brown and defensive lineman Deon Simon to the active roster from the practice squad and placed defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson on injured reserve.  The chances of Gutekunst signing any of these players is slim unless another player goes down with an injury and it opens up a roster spot.

Here are several candidates that Gutekunst could target.

Lenzy Pipkins

GM Gutekunst traded Pipkins to the Indianapolis Colts for Linebacker Antonio Morrison. Pipkins was on the Colts active roster and was recently cut as he was not a great fit for the Colts defense. Lenzy Pipkins is a former undrafted free agent, who actually was one of the Packers best cornerbacks in 2017. Gutekunst could bring him back to help out the safety position which has been underperforming. He does have knowledge of Mike Pettine’s defense after going through offseason workouts and training camp with the team.

Dez Bryant

With Randall Cobb ailing and missing the Buffalo game this past weekend. If Cobb misses more time or another receiver goes down with an injury for an extended period of time this possibly could be a receiver that Gutekunst goes after. Granted, the chances of the Packers signing Bryant are pretty slim as they are deep at the receiver position. Bryant is the type of player that could help get this offense going. He could turn out to be this years mid-season acquisition that puts a team over the top like Andre Rison. If not the Packers, someone may pick him up along the way.

Karlos Dansby

Linebacker Karlos Dansby is 36 years old but still hoping to land on team for the 2018 season. With the lack of depth at the linebacker position for the Packers and lack of production, he could be a mid-season acquisition to bolster the defense. Even at 36 years young, he can still be productive. In 2017, he registered a sack, a interception and 94 tackles, and played in all 16 games in each of the last three seasons. He is a durable player and would provide a boost to a unit that lacks depth.

With his most recent moves, General Manager Brian Gutekunst has promoted from his own practice squad. Granted he did try and make a run at a player on the Cleveland Browns practice squad but was unsuccessful. He has also shown the leadership to leave no stone unturned in improving the roster.

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag