Here’s Next Step for Packers as They Build at Safety
The Green Bay Packers have a hole at safety opposite Xavier McKinney. Will they add a solid veteran or look to the draft?
GREEN BAY, Wis. – While Justin Simmons and Julian Blackmon remain available in NFL free agency, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst sounds like he’d rather draft Xavier McKinney’s sidekick than spend money on another veteran safety.
“You can do whatever you like. There’s just going to be, obviously, consequences to that, not only within this year but then in future years,” Gutekunst told reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting last week. “I feel really good about our roster right now. Our numbers are higher than they’ve been usually going into this time. Certainly, I think we have a number of players that are entering the prime of their career. I feel really good about it.
“At the same time, if there becomes a player that fits what we’re looking for – not only as a player but financially as well, then we’ll consider it. We can do that, but I do think there’s ramifications to that.”
Safety remains a sore spot on Green Bay’s pre-draft depth charts. If the Packers were to line up today, McKinney – the team’s huge free-agent addition – would be joined in the starting lineup by 2023 seventh-rounder Anthony Johnson. Benny Sapp, Zayne Anderson and Tyler Coyle would round out the group.
Veteran Rudy Ford is their last unrestricted free agent who remains unsigned.
With free agency – perhaps – off the table, Gutekunst will be looking toward the draft. With the Giants, Xavier McKinney was an impact player regardless of where he lined up.
“You rely on the safety for so many things,” coach Matt LaFleur said at the Annual Meeting. “First of all, just the communication on the back end’s absolutely critical, making sure we get all 11 on the same page. And that’s usually the last line of defense. You get past the safety, there’s nobody left.
“I love his ability to make plays on the ball. You’ve seen it over the course of his career, but in particular two plays that stick out to me were in that Philly game, where he makes an unbelievable interception on the sideline, and then the very next play they try to run a screen and he dissects the screen and jumps in front and picks off the ball. Back-to-back plays with two interceptions. Anytime you have a guy who can take the ball away, that is what you’re looking for in all your players, especially on the defensive side of the ball.”
Of McKinney’s 1,128 defensive snaps last season, 464 came at free safety, 388 were from the box and 167 were in the slot. That kind of versatility should allow Gutekunst to pick the best-available safety rather than looking for a “box” or “deep” specialist.
“I think it’s a pretty good safety class this year,” Gutekunst said.
Presumably, on the spectrum from physical to ballhawk, he’d prefer a player with more of a physical presence so McKinney can handle the playmaking role as defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s “post” safety.
Here’s a look at our preliminary Top 10 safeties, which are weighted a bit more to players with box-safety ability. Included is their height, weight and workout numbers, along with 2023 stats and snap counts from Pro Football Focus.
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean (6-0 1/2, 203. No workout). Zero touchdowns allowed vs. two interceptions. 12.2 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 630 at corner, 23 in slot, 23 in box. Coming off a broken leg, his pro day is set for April 8.
Washington State’s Jaden Hicks (6-1 7/8, 215. 4.48 40; 9.29 RAS). Two touchdowns allowed vs. two interceptions. 14.7 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 200 deep, 456 box, 103 slot.
Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin (6-1 1/4, 205. 4.59 40; 3.64 RAS). Two touchdowns allowed vs. five interceptions. 9.4 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 468 deep, 198 box, 84 slot. For what it’s worth, Nubin has almost identical size and speed to former first-round pick HaHa Clinton-Dix. He set a school record with 13 interceptions.
Utah’s Cole Bishop (6-2, 206; 4.45 40; 9.88 RAS). Two touchdowns allowed vs. two interceptions. 13.0 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 247 deep, 180 box, 97 slot.
Georgia’s Javon Bullard (5-10 1/2, 198; 4.47 40; 8.19 RAS). Zero touchdowns allowed vs. two interceptions. 10.8 missed tackles. Snaps: 362 deep, 80 box, 144 slot.
USC’s Calen Bullock (6-2, 188; 4.48 40; 6.31 RAS). Five touchdowns allowed vs. two interceptions. 13.5 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 320 deep, 274 box, 249 slot.
Wake Forest’s Malik Mustapha (5-10 1/8, 209. No workout). Two touchdowns allowed, one interception. 12.4 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 163 deep, 327 box, 144 slot.
Maryland’s Beau Brade (6-0, 203. No workout). Three touchdowns allowed vs. one interception. 18.8 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 201 deep, 369 box, 104 slot.
Texas Tech’s Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (5-10 3/8, 197; 4.41 40; 8.76 RAS). Three touchdowns allowed vs. four interceptions. 10.2 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 485 deep, 113 box, 202 slot.
Miami’s Kamren Kinchens (5-11 1/4,203; 4.65 40; 2.33 RAS). Four touchdowns allowed vs. five interceptions. 13.7 percent missed tackles. Snaps: 379 deep, 110 box, 113 slot. The workout numbers may make him undraftable, though his 11 interceptions during his final two seasons are impossible to ignore.
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Packers coach Matt LaFleur
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
