The Green Bay Packers defensive needs this offseason has mostly focused on fans wondering how the Packers will improve their secondary. The Packers ranked 31st in the NFL in 2016 in pass defense and they have to improve on that number if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl. However, while they need to find secondary help, they also need to work on developing a pass rush because putting pressure on the quarterback helps defend the pass as much as shutdown corners. The biggest name on the market is still linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who the Packers really need to concentrate on.
What does Dont’a Hightower bring to the table?
The Green Bay Packers have Clay Matthews inside at linebacker but he is least effective when asked to hang back in pass coverage, which was necessary for the team in 2016. The Packers need to let Matthews rush the quarterback, which is what he does best. The only way to do that is to add a quality linebacker to the mix and Dont’a Hightower fits that description. For one thing, Hightower has won two Super Bowl rings while playing with the New England Patriots. He knows how to win. Second, he is only 28 so he has a long career still ahead of him. He is smart, instinctive, and athletic. Out of all the NFL free agents still available right now, Dont’a Hightower is the man Ted Thompson should offer a big contract to.
How much should the Packers invest in Dont’a Hightower?
The fact of the matter is that the Green Bay Packers have a nice sum of money for NFL free agents this offseason but they haven’t invested in anyone outside of two tight ends. The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited Hightower to tryout with them and the New York Jets are also interested.
Dont’a has won two Super Bowl titles so there is a chance he is not chasing a ring but instead chasing a paycheck, or maybe just a good fit for him. With the Green Bay Packers, Hightower can get both. At his age, the Packers can afford to offer him a nice contract with a good number of years to lure him to a team that can still compete for a title. If Green Bay wants to win another Super Bowl, they need to fix their defense and Dont’a Hightower is a perfect place to start.
