The Green Bay Packers have work to do on their roster. Between upgrading spots from last year to replacing depth lost to departing cuts and free agents, the Packers can’t afford to simply stand pat.

The start of that process began yesterday when the window opened for teams to apply franchise or transition tags on players that teams either don’t want to let go, or hope to trade for additional draft capital.

I don’t expect Green Bay to tag anyone on the roster. If they did, the only potential option would be Rasheed Walker. It’s likely however that any compensation they received by going that route would likely be the same as the comp pick they could get for him leaving, which makes the tag an unlikely option.

Since Green Bay is unlikely to utilize the tag, the next important date is March 9, when the “legal tampering period” opens. This is in effect the start to free agency. So should fans expect the Packers to be active? While the team does have holes, those need to be balanced against the additional draft capital they could pick up from departures like Walker and backup QB Malik Willis.

While the loss of picks from the Parsons trade leads me to believe the Packers will not spend much this offseason to capitalize on those potential comp picks, lets look at a few options they might consider if they do decide to spend. The Packers are in a good spot in regards to the cap, and have the ability to move money around to essentially target anyone they want.

Future Green Bay Packers (Offense)

  1. Tyler Linderbaum
  2. Luke Fortner
  3. Cade Mays

Three centers, all of which would likely be an upgrade over the Elgton Jenkins/Sean Rhyan combo Green Bay was forced to use in 2026. Linderbaum will likely attract the most interest, but all three would be an upgrade and all three are 27 or under, lining up with Green Bay’s timetable.

  1. Isaiah Likely
  2. Chig Okonkwo

I don’t necessarily think either of these guys would be targets for Green Bay, but with Tucker Kraft coming off an ACL, and Luke Musgrave not being what the team hoped, it wouldn’t shock me if Green Bay went after a TE if the price was right.

Future Green Bay Packers (Defense)

  1. Greg Newsome
  2. Jamel Dean
  3. Eric Stokes

Green Bay’s issues at cornerback are well documented at this point, and if the Packers decide to spend in FA I would expect corner to be a priority.

Newsome and former Packer Eric Stokes would both fall into the age preference of GM Brian Gutekunst, with both players arguably entering their prime. Dean would be more of a veteran option, and may come cheaper.

  1. Khalil Mack
  2. Calais Campbell

Additional depth on the defensive line is another top priority for Green Bay, especially if the Packers part ways with Rashan Gary. Both players on the older side and should be available at a lower cost. DJ Reader is another player in this category that the Packers might look at.

  1. Devin Lloyd
  2. Nakobe Dean

With Quay Walker potentially departing in free agency, Lloyd would be a fantastic partner to rising star Edgerrin Cooper. Nakobe Dean has played under new DC Jonathan Gannon when he was in Philly and may be a target of familiarity.

Final Thoughts

This is an as important of an offseason that Green Bay has had in a long time. The trade last year for Parsons was a signal that the Packers front office views this team as being Super Bowl ready. So while the obvious move might be to remain quiet during free agency to as to recoup some draft capital from departing players, don’t be surprised if Gutekunst continues to view the Packers window as right now, and makes some moves accordingly.