First it was the addition of tight end Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Then it was cornerback Davon House getting picked up off the scrap heap and returning to the franchise. We also saw the signing of defensive linemen Ricky Jean-Francois and Ego Ferguson. But the latter failed to pass a physical and was let go. Yes, it has been an unusually busy free-agent period for general manager Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers. A franchise that has been to the playoffs eight straight years last won a Super Bowl title in 2010. Unfortunately, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his mates haven’t been able to get back to the Big Game since.
Hence, the franchise continues to be busy this year adding talent. And the latest signing could prove to be a major coup.
The latest addition
This offseason, we saw the Green Bay Packers lose a pair of quality offensive linemen in center J.C. Tretter (Cleveland Browns) and right guard T.J. Lang (Detroit Lions). The latter was a very big blow considering the quality blocker signed with a division rival. It should be interesting when these longtime combatants square off in Week 9 (Monday night at Lambeau Field) and in the regular-season finale at Ford Field. However, to offset the loss of Lang the Packers have turned to a very experience veteran in Jahri Evans. The team announced the signing on Wednesday.
He’s spent all 11 seasons in the league with the New Orleans Saints and started all 169 regular-season games with the team over that span. He was cut loose by the club last offseason and signed with the Seattle Seahawks but was let go. He rejoined Sean Payton’s club and started all 16 games in 2016. Now he joins the Packers looking to regain his star form.
Evans’ resume includes six Pro Bowl berths and he’s been a 16-game starter in nine of his 11 campaigns.
How does this affect the draft?
The Green Bay Packers have a lot of needs on defense. But you can’t rule out the fact that they could opt for an offensive lineman somewhere among their eight selections. In 2016, they did add Jason Spriggs in the second round and he can line up at both tackle and/or guard.
Corey Linsley is set at center and the tackle spots are secure with David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. As previously mentioned, Evans usually doesn’t miss a lot of action but he’s also not a long-term solution. The onus in this draft for the Packers remains the defensive side of the ball. But it’s easy to see Thompson opt for some interior line help, perhaps anywhere from the fourth to seventh rounds.
