The 2024 NFL Free Agent year for the Green Bay Packers was a smashing success. During free agency Packers GM Brian Gutenkunst signed two Pro Bowl players and vital pieces to the roster in Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs. Looking to repeat the 2024 free agency success, we look at Packers Free Agent options to help address their pass rush and cornerback needs.
OLB Josh Sweat
Pass rush is one of the most important positions the Green Bay Packers need to look at addressing in 2025. Look no further than the man that had 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl 59. Josh Sweat is 28 years old and is a long active edge player potentially looking for a new home. The Philadelphia Eagles OLB registered 8.0 sacks with 54 pressures in the regular season which would have led the 2024 Packers. Sweat has registered double digit sacks only once in his career. Gutenkunst may shy away from Josh Sweat because his prior production may not be worth the big market Sweat will command.
OLB Khalil Mack
Sticking with fixing the 2025 Green Bay Packers pass rush, old foe Khalil Mack may be a perfect option. At 34 years old Mack does not have the ideal age the Packers GM would typically look for. However if you put on the 2024 game film, you can see that Khalil Mack can still play at a high level. PFF gave Mack a 90.4 overall grade which ranked him fifth among all edge rushers. The value Khalil Mack offers may be immeasurable if he is able to teach Lukas Van Ness and Rashan Gary how to unlock some of their potential. Mack registered 6 sacks and 49 pressures in 2024 but the change of scenery may be all he needs to get back to double digit sacks.
Below Cheesehead TVs Aaron Nagler and former player and NFL analyst Matt Bowen discuss why Bowen believes Khalil Mack may be the perfect fit for the Green Bay Packers.
DE Chase Young
A Young player who may not break the bank like Sweat or Khalil Mack, New Orleans Saints Defensive End Chase Young. The former number 2 overall draft pick is still only 25 years old. At 6’5’’ 265 LB Chase is long and lengthy and may have some upside given the right situation. Young registered 5.5 sacks with 66 pressures on a bad Saints defense. Most likely only getting a 1 year prove it deal, this may be a cheaper option for the Green Bay Packers to consider to help the 2025 pass rush.
CB DJ Reed
Switching gears to another key position of need for the 2025 Green Bay Packers is cornerback. New York Jets free agent DJ Reed may be a great option at cornerback with the team likely to lose Jaire Alexander. Reed may be considered the top corner available in free agency. He is a feisty slot corner who doesn’t back down from anyone. DJ is 28 years old but is slightly undersized for what the Packers typically like at 5’9’’ 188 lbs. In 2024 Reed had a 70.7 PFF overall grade and did not record an interception but did record 10 pass breakups. Would Packers GM Brian Gutenkunst pay up for Reeds services?
CB Charvarius Ward
2024 was a down year stat wise for Charvarious Ward, personal tragedy may have played a big role into the drop in production. Looking for a change of scenery, Ward could be a great option if he can get back to his 2023 self. 2024 wasn’t all that bad for Ward as he compiled a 86.5 coverage grade per PFF which ranked third at his position. Ward is 6’1’’ and 198 lbs, he breaks up a lot of passes due to his length. He may be a perfect fit for Jeff Hafleys defense in 2025.
CB Rasul Douglas
Old friend Rasul Douglas is back as a free agent, in 2021 the Packers found this gem off of the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. We all remember the next week Rasul picking off Kyler Murray in the end zone to end that Thursday night battle. Most fans were upset that the team traded away Rasul at the 2023 trade deadline. With cornerback as an obvious need in 2025 the Packers should at minimum kick the tires on Douglas. The former Bills/Packers CB is still only 29 years old and has the natural size to give WRs problems. Everyone is talking about the Packers reuniting with Davante Adams in 2025. Could we be thinking of the wrong former Packer reunion in 2025? Time will tell.
——————Joseph is an avid Packers fan since the age of five who enjoys giving his opinions on his favorite team! The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary - Vince Lombardi. Go Pack Go!
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