The Green Bay Packers must utilize the current NFL free agency period if they want to bounce back from a dismal 2018 campaign.
The Pack finished with a 6-9-1 record last season – their worst since the 2008 NFL season when they finished 6-10.
While Green Bay's four Super Bowl titles ties them with the New York Giants for third all-time, it seems the Packers' days as a perennial title contender are a distant memory.
Mike McCarthy's firing on December 2, 2018 ended his 13-year partnership with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Former Green Bay wide receiver Greg Jennings recently said a power struggle brewed between McCarthy and Rodgers in 2018. That ultimately was one of the reasons the Pack limped through McCarthy's final season at Lambeau Field.
Can the Packers bounce back in the 2019 NFL season?
Absolutely. Honestly, it's hard to envision Green Bay contending for Super Bowl LIV. However, they can establish as solid foundation via the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft and free agency.
One glaring need is at wide receiver. It's clear Davante Adams is Rodgers' No. 1 receiving target. Unfortunately, nobody stepped up at the No. 2 spot in 2018. Geronimo Allison's season-ending concussion and the inconsistency of rookies Equanimous St. Brown and Marquez Valdez- Scantling took their toll on the receiving corps.
Green Bay must also add beef to its offensive line. The starting unit of David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Bryan Bulaga, and Lane Taylor stayed relatively healthy in 2018. Unfortunately, this group surrendered 53 sacks last season.
That means it allowed the pass rush to swallow up Rodgers an average of 3.3 times per game in the 2018 NFL season. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars (3.3) and Houston Texans (3.8) had worse O-Lines.
The bad news for Green Bay: there are no available offensive linemen in the current free agent pool. Unless the Packers trade a key offensive lineman or two before the season, they must find other ways to improve their offensive line performance. Offensive line coach Adam Stenavich has his work cut out for him.
Finally, the Pack need to shore up their running game.The duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams combined for 254 carries, 1,192 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2018. Nonetheless, Green Bay still finished 22nd in the NFL in rushing offense last year (1,667 yards).
As of April 7, the Packers have approximately $13.1 million in salary cap space. That's not a lot by any stretch. General manager Brian Gutekunst doesn't have the luxury of adding big-name free agents. However, if he can lure a couple of players to Green Bay at a bargain price, it will certainly go a long way.
Let's take a look at three key free agents who can help the Packers make strides in 2019.
3. Michael Crabtree
General managers may have second thoughts about Crabtree's age (31) and declining speed, but he's a productive wideout. He's hauled in 54 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens.
Not only is Crabtree productive, but he's also durable, as he's missed just two games (both in the 2017 NFL season) in the past five years. Not bad at all for a 31-year-old wide receiver.
Crabtree is far from finished. If he winds up playing for the Packers, he should become the N0. 2 receiver if neither St. Brown or Valdez-Scantling fail to live up to expectations. The receiving trio of Adams, Crabtree, and tight end Jimmy Graham should provide Rodgers with more reliable weapons.
2. Kelvin Benjamin
Kelvin Benjamin presents the Pack with a slightly younger option (28 years old) at the wide receiver spot.
Benjamin has battled injury issues during his five-year NFL career. He missed the entire 2015 NFL campaign due to a torn ACL. He also sustained several knee injuries in the ensuing NFL seasons.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur and Co. could have second thoughts about signing Benjamin. However, the latter did haul in a combined 1,949 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2014 and 2016. If Benjamin can stay healthy, he can give the Pack more options at wide receiver.
1. T.J. Yeldon
The Green Bay Packers could use a reliable third-down back who can help them move the sticks. Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon fits the bill perfectly.
Yeldon has amassed nearly 3,200 all-purpose yards in his four-year NFL career. That number is right up there with the likes of new San Francisco 49ers halfback Tevin Coleman (3,350 all-purpose yards).
Yeldon is only 25 years old. He could help Green Bay increase its productivity on the ground. He would also prove his worth in short-yardage situations – a huge factor in crunch time. Yeldon would be a valuable asset in offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett's running plays down the stretch.
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