With the NFL draft now less than 20 days away, the free-agent market has gotten a lot quieter and the speculation regarding who is going where with what pick has begun. The Green Bay Packers have reached the playoffs each of the past seasons and a lot of their success can be attributed to how the franchise has fared during the draft. This offseason, general manager Ted Thompson has added some talent from other NFL teams. It’s a little departure from what we’ve been used to from this team, to say the least. But somewhat desperate times call for different measures, especially when this annual Super Bowl contender can’t seem to get its defense in order.
Free-agent report card
Yes, it’s been a busier offseason than usual for the Green Bay Packers. They usually spend this time of the year watching a few players leave for other clubs while the franchise does its best to wrap up its best performers for the long term. This year to date, the losses have once again outweighed the gains. Leaving via Free Agency were running back Eddie Lacy, guard T.J. Lang, swingman J.C. Tretter, outside linebackers Julius Peppers and Datone Jones, safety Micah Hyde and tight end Jared Cook. The incoming included tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, cornerback Davon House (a one-time member of the Packers) and defensive linemen Ricky Jean-Francois and Ego Ferguson.
Or so we thought.
Defensive line update
Earlier this week, the Chicago Bears parted ways with Ferguson. He missed the entire 2016 season due to injury and played in only four games the previous year. Part of that absence had to do with an NFL-induced four-game suspension. The Bears used the 51st overall pick in 2014 to land the 6’3”, 315-pound defender, who played in all 16 games during his rookie campaign.
He finished with 22 tackles, a pair of sacks and three pass deflections. The Green Bay Packers grabbed the former LSU product off waivers but Ferguson failed a physical and was let go.
As for Mike McCarthy’s team, the addition of Jean-Francois does help a bit due to his experience in this defensive system. But while Dom Capers’ defensive unit has underrated Mike Daniels, will be short nose tackle Letroy Guion for the first four games due to his own suspension.
So don’t be surprised that one year after making UCLA’s Kenny Clark their first-round pick, the Green Bay Packers could be looking at another defensive linemen with the 29th overall selection on the evening on April 27.
