Packers Could Double-Dip at Safety in Free Agency

The Green Bay Packers made a big splash in NFL free agency with Xavier McKinney. With a strong group of veterans still available, they could strike again.

Author:
Bill Huber
Mar 24, 2024

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

NFL Free Agency

Xavier McKinney

Brian Gutekunst

Justin Simmons

The Green Bay Packers still need another safety to pair with Xavier McKinney. A strong list of veterans remains available in free agency.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – In NFL free agency, the law of supply and demand worked against the Green Bay Packers at linebacker. It could work in their favor at safety.

A strong group of free-agent safeties, which was only bolstered by the offseason releases of several quality veterans, has been mostly picked over.

Mostly. But not totally.

With some quality veteran options on the table, it’s possible general manager Brian Gutekunst will double-dip in free agency after making a big Day 1 splash with Xavier McKinney. That would allow him to focus on other positions in next month’s NFL Draft.

Here are eight names to remember plus an unsigned Packers free agent who at least would provide depth.

Cream of the Crop

Julian Blackmon was our second-ranked free agent. He’ll turn 26 during training camp and is coming off a season of four interceptions, eight passes defensed and 88 tackles. Those are all career highs. Of his 987 snaps last season, 308 came at free safety, 468 came in the box and 175 came in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. His experience closer to the line of scrimmage would work well alongside our top-ranked free agent, McKinney.

Justin Simmons will turn 31 in November, but age has been only a number for the second-team All-Pro. The last five seasons, all of which ended in Simmons earning Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro honors, he has grabbed 23 interceptions. The last two years, he had nine interceptions – including an NFL-leading six in just 12 games in 2022 – and five forced fumbles. Most of his snaps came at free safety, but Simmons and McKinney could be used interchangeably.

Short-Term Rentals

Quandre Diggs’ career took off after being traded from Detroit to Seattle in 2019. In four-and-a-half seasons with the Lions, he had six interceptions. In four-and-a-half seasons with the Seahawks, he had 18. However, had had just one pick in 2023, though he set a career high with 95 tackles. About 88 percent of his snaps came at free safety. The 31-year-old hasn’t missed a game since 2016.

Eddie Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2018 All-Pro, was released by the Bears. The 30-year-old had four interceptions and 80 tackles in 12 games in 2022 but only one interception and 37 tackles in 12 games in 2023. About three-fourths of his snaps last year came at free safety. Maybe he’d view a one-year deal as the impetus to push for one more strong contract.

Micah Hyde and Tashaun Gipson are 33. A standout for the Packers from 2013 through 2016, Hyde’s always had tremendous ball skills and a nose for the ball. He had five picks in 2021, when he was a second-team All-Pro. After missing most of 2022, he had two interceptions and seven passes defensed in 2023, when he played 460 snaps at free safety, 227 in the box and 199 in the slot.

A decade ago, Gipson was a premier ballhawk with a total of 11 interceptions with Cleveland in 2013 and 2014. He had five picks with the 49ers in 2022 but dropped off to one in 2023. He played 578 snaps of free safety, 203 in the slot and 166 in the box. In 2014 and 2015, Hafley was his position coach.

Former First-Round Picks

Terrell Edmunds and Jamal Adams are comfortable close to the line of scrimmage. A first-round pick in 2018, Edumunds started 75 games in five seasons for Pittsburgh before getting four starts with the Titans and Eagles in 2023. He had 108 tackles in 2019 and a combined four interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 2020 and 2021. He’s always been a reliable tackler. Last year, he played 245 snaps at free safety, 159 in the box and 60 in the slot.

Adams was the sixth pick of the 2017 draft. In three seasons with the Jets and the last four with Seattle, he had four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 21.5 sacks and 50 tackles for losses. Injuries have been a chronic problem. He missed four games in 2020, four games in 2021, 16 games in 2022 and eight in 2023. The good about last year: seven tackles losses in limited action. The bad: a career-worst 15 missed tackles. Of his 515 defensive snaps, 208 were in the box and 183 were in the slot.

Familiar Face

Rudy Ford started six games in his first five seasons. He started 15 the past two games with the Packers. The 29-year-old had five interceptions the last two seasons and is a quality tackler. Last year, he played 323 snaps at free safety, 190 in the box and 92 in the slot. With size and speed, he’s been a weapon on special teams.