Free agent safeties are popping up all over the league. Multiple teams are releasing veterans and foregoing franchise tags. With the draft upcoming, the Packers are in a great position to shore up a glaring defensive gap ahead of OTAs.
Current State of the Packers Safety Room
As of today this is how the safety room looks for the Packers.
Anthony Johnson Jr.
Benny Sapp III
Zayne Anderson
Tyler Coyle
Hits a little different when you see it spelled out doesn’t it? Here’s how the free agent safeties list breaks down for the Packers.
Darnell Savage
Jonathan Owens
Rudy Ford
I would love to see the Packers get Jonathan Owens back in the building. I also think Rudy Ford would also be worth adding back for depth.
It may be unpopular with some folks, but I have no issues with Savage leaving. I haven’t been a big fan of his play for a while now. I think he will end up on another roster as we approach training camp.
Free Agent Safeties Available
“The Safety Bunch” as pictured above, has a plethora of Pro-Bowl vets who could easily walk in as a starter day 1. It’s honestly staggering how many teams are shedding this position from their roster ahead of the draft.
Trading for Budda Baker is still on my mind, but more than likely Gutey will snatch up a free agent and/or go hunting in the draft. In this article I do my best to give a quick 10,000 foot view of the folks currently up for grabs.
These are not in any particular order. I’ll leave the evaluations to you and the Packers top brass to ponder.
The Safety Bunch
Alohi Gilman
5’10”, 201 lbs
Drafted 2020 Rd. 6 186 (LAC)
In his first season as a starter, Chargers S Alohi Gilman posted a career high in tackles, pass breakups, and interceptions. He was one of the Chargers’ most-productive and consistent players. Per PFF, Gilman also finished with a season run defense grade of 75.2, nearly 20 points higher than the previous season. PFF also placed him on the 2023 All-Breakout Team. Perhaps he can help the Packers breakout of their safety woes.
Bolts From the Blue: “Alohi Gilman turns in stellar season, makes PFF’s 2023 All-Breakout Team”
Eddie Jackson
6’0″, 206 lbs
Drafted 2017: Rd 4 (CHI)
Green Bay is listed as a top landing spot for the All-Pro Safety per an article from the Last Word On Sports.
Jackson is turning 30 years old this season. In 2023 he was limited to only 3 games with his last full season being back in 2020. He had a lot of production in 2022, however his PFF rating dropped this last year to 58.6, allowing 3 touchdowns and a passer rating of 120.6 in coverage. It’s possible that some green and gold and the incentive of being on the winning side of the rivalry with his former team may be enough to right the ship.
Geno Stone
5′ 11″, 207 lbs
Drafted 2020: Rd 7 (BAL)
‘I just want to be somewhere I’m appreciated’ (Kevin Patra Around the NFL)
Geno spent his rookie campaign for the Ravens on the practice squad. He was elevated for 2 games, but after some time on the Covid reserve list, he was waived that December.
Geno then headed to the Texans but never got the chance to hit the field. Coming back to Baltimore in 2021, he was mostly utilized on reserve and special teams. Over the last 2 seasons his role has greatly increased starting 11 games at safety in 2023. Perhaps after a few years of being down and out, Green Bay is where he will get his flowers. Gutey seems to have an affinity for players that didn’t get their shot and have a chip on their shoulder.
Jamal Adams
6′ 1″, 213 lbs
Drafted 2017: Rd 1 (NYJ)
While Jamal Adams made a name for himself in New York, his time in Seattle was mostly spent plauged by injuries. He was released as a cap hit decision from Seattle, carrying a $20 million dead cap hit. The Seahawks also acquired Julian Love who looks to be an immediate replacement. Adams only saw 9 starts in 2023, and his solo interception broke a 6-year run with at least 3 annually. He may be a cheap vet option to put in the Packers safety room.
Quandre Diggs
5′ 9″, 197 lbs
Drafted 2015: Rd 6 (DET)
Diggs is another Pro Bowl Seahawk set to fly into the open market. The 31 year old got his start with the Detroit Lions before being traded to Seattle in 2019. Unlike Adams, Diggs has been consistent and played all available games in 2023. He’s also a fan favorite in the Pacific Northwest. It may be a long shot though as the Packers seem to be going young. Quandre would be another solid veteran to bring aboard should they continue their youth movement and look for talent to develop in the draft.
Jordan Fuller
6′ 2″, 203 lbs
Drafted 2020: Rd 6 (LAR)
Jordan Fuller brought valuable leadership, experience and playmaking to Rams secondary in 2023 (Stu Jackson – therams.com).
Fuller only saw the field for 3 games in 2022 due to injury. He came back last year and started all 17 regular season games for the Rams setting a career high with 3 interceptions. His 94 tackles ranked second on overall for LA. Fuller was named captain for a 2nd time and may be able to bring some needed leadership to Jeff Hafley’s safety room.
Jordan Poyer
6′ 0″, 191 lbs
Drafted 2013: Rd 7 (PHI)
Poyer joined the Bills in 2017 alongside former Packer Micah Hyde. I’m still scratching my head on the Micah Hyde release, who by the way is also a pending free agent from Buffalo.
Given Hyde and Poyer’s production, it’s pretty clear the Bills are looking to trim the cap and start fresh. The duo have been widely regarded as one of the best tandem safety threats in the league. Perhaps it’s time to bring Micah home alongside Poyer for a run at a ring. Jordan is 32 years old and still performing at a high level. Just have to wager whether the juice is worth the squeeze as I’m sure someone will offer top dollar for the talent.
Jordan Whitehead
5′ 10″, 198 lbs
Drafted 2018: Rd 4, (TB)
Jordan Whitehead is still playing at a very elite level. He will only be 27 years old this season, and would be a great addition to an empty Packers safety room to build around. As you can see his numbers have not only been consistent, they have also trended upward since his start in 2018. Whitehead was also a part of the 2020 Bucs Super Bowl win, which may lend to him brining a championship mindset and experience to a young Packers squad. There’s a lot of talk that Jordan may be headed back to Tampa, but, maybe he can be swayed to give a different Bay a chance.
Julian Blackmon
6′ 0″, 202 lbs
Drafted 2020: Rd 3, (IND)
Blackmon started 15 out of 17 games last season. He had 4 interceptions and played snaps at slot as well as safety. With Green Bay moving towards press coverage, having someone this versatile could be a great addition. Julian stacked 5 tackles for a loss and broke up 8 passes which may offer Hafley some flexibility in the secondary. At 26 years old he brings youth AND veteran experience to the table.
Kamren Curl
6′ 2″, 198 lbs
Drafted 2020: Rd 7, (WSH)
“Curl can line up anywhere and is as consistent as safeties come on a down-to-down basis, possessing good instincts and a clear understanding of how to manipulate leverage and angles in the open field,” PFF.
The Commanders are cap rich with $73.6 million to burn according to Overthecap.com. If they aren’t able to lock in a deal with Curl, he could end up in Green Bay. Especially if he doesn’t want to wait 4 years to see a post season again.
Kevin Byard
5′ 11″, 212 lbs
Drafted 2016: Rd 3 (TEN)
After only 11 games with Philly, Kevin is set to fly into free agency. He came to the Eagles after spending 8 seasons with the Titans. He had 75 tackles and an interception in the regular season campaign last year which is certainly not too shabby indeed.
In the end, his release frees up $14.4 million in cap space for new DC Vic Fangio and company to work with. Byard is yet another multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl Safety on the market. He was also named captain 5 times while in Tennessee and received a Walton Payton Man of the Year nomination. Given his level of play, and how respected he is in the locker room, he may be just the man to “Carry the G”.
Xavier McKinney
6′ 0″, 201 lbs
Drafted 2020: Rd 2, (NYG)
I know a lot of you reading this article were likely starting to wonder where this name was. He’s been the darling of the media reports recently regarding a move to Green Bay. So in that respect I won’t brow beat you with the same talking points here.
It’s VERY easy to see why he would be a great fit for Green Bay. This seems to be the year to load up on RB and S, which is just incredible for the Packers. The free market is speaking volumes this year. Maybe we can get Saquon on a friendly deal to come on over to the superior cold city to the west with him too….
I personally didn’t expect them to not tag a young and talented player like Xavier, but the sticking point may again be the price tag.
Safeties Safeties Everywhere But Not A Drop Of Hints
The only thing clear as of now is that this market is FLOODED with top tier running backs and safeties. It seems the Football Gods may indeed be shining a light on the frozen tundra. With it, an early spring, and a veritable cornucopia of talent to drawn upon.
I will be waiting with bated breath for next week’s acquisitions and trades. I have not completely extinguished my hopes of Budda Baker coming to Lambeau. I am, however, overjoyed at the prospects laying in wait. Will this be the year that we make a splash in free agency? We will have to wait and see how things play out while Gutey rubs that icy crystal ball at 1265 Lombardi.
