Prioritizing the Packers' free agents

Between expiring deals and voiding contracts, the Packers have 17 players set to hit the open market this offseason.

In a matter of weeks, the NFL will descend on Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine. While ostensibly a draft-related event, combine week actually serves as a critical piece of the free-agent process as player representatives and team decision-makers meet in back rooms, bars, and restaurants to feel out the market.

At present, the Green Bay Packers have 14 players with expiring contracts, the majority of which possess the four or more accrued seasons necessary for unrestricted free-agent status while the others will become either a restricted or exclusive-rights free agent. Three more veterans have deals that void prior to the start of the new league year, bringing the total of potential free agents to 17.

While the front office will not re-sign everyone, a sizable percentage of the 17 players will indeed return to Green Bay for the 2024 season. This exercise attempts to prioritize the free agents by balancing their on-field impact with their expected cost. Because the resources required to retain one type of free agent can vary greatly from another category, a player's contract-eligibility status holds considerable importance.

17. Robert Rochell

Position: cornerback
2023 workload: 26 defensive snaps, 325 special-teams snaps
Status: restricted free agent

The Packers signed Robert Rochell off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad in late October, essentially deploying him as a special-teams player only for the duration of the season. Rochell wouldn't cost much to retain, perhaps not even the original-round tender for a restricted free agent. Still, the team's decision to re-sign him or let him walk seems highly unlikely to affect them in the long term.

16. Tyler Davis

Position: tight end
2023 workload: zero snaps (preseason ACL tear)
Status: unrestricted free agent

Entering 2023, Tyler Davis occupied a critical role as the only true tight end with any meaningful NFL experience on the Packers' roster. However, an ACL tear suffered during the team's preseason opener landed Davis on the shelf for the remainder of the year. While he could still hold value on special teams, the rookie tight-end tandem of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft have essentially absorbed Davis' role (and then some).

15. Patrick Taylor

Position: running back
2023 workload: 226 offensive snaps, 122 special-teams snaps
Status: restricted free agent

When injuries depleted the Packers' running-backs room in November, the Packers turned to a familiar face to backfill, signing Patrick Taylor off the New England Patriots' practice squad. Taylor didn't have a huge workload on offense -- 21 carries and six catches for 131 yards from scrimmage over the next seven games -- but he saw considerable action on multiple special-teams units. While that has value, Green Bay can easily replicate Taylor's skill set.

14. Kristian Welch

Position: off-ball linebacker
2023 workload: zero defensive snaps, 210 special-teams snaps
Status: unrestricted free agent

While a nonfactor on defense, Kristian Welch appeared on every special-teams unit, kickoff coverage and return especially. That service weighs in his favor, but nothing about his performance suggests the Packers couldn't replace him with an inexpensive rookie.

13. Josiah Deguara

Position: tight end
2023 workload: 196 offensive snaps, 219 special-teams snaps
Status: unrestricted free agent

When the Packers selected Josiah Deguara in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, they hoped to deploy him similarly to how the San Francisco 49ers utilize fullback Kyle Juszczyk. That never came to pass as Deguara missed most of his rookie season and then returned as a capable but ultimately limited contributor as a de facto H-back and special-teamer. With Kraft and fellow rookie Ben Sims filling in those roles without any noticeable drop-off, Deguara's future in Green Bay looks cloudy at best.