2022 Free Agents/Cuts/Players of Interest to Talk About

[tynimiller]

One FA WR I'm "intrigued" by is John Ross III. Never stayed healthy enough or rose to WR1 with Cincy, played on a $2.25Mil deal w/ NYG last year but their offense was horrible so not necessarily a true reflection on Ross' contributions. Could he be a cheap MVS-replacement? Fast, sudden WR who's only knocks are staying healthy and 20% drop-rate. With AR lasering balls to him could he be a good 2nd/3rd option in this offense?

Ross is a guy you wait out on FA waves for sure, but have in mind for a one year bargain deal.

 

[tynimiller]

Not a good place to put this but Oren Burks gets $5M - 2 year deal with the 49ers.

 

[Magooch]

I'm wondering what's going to happen with Tonyan. I figured that someone would make him an offer that we probably couldn't reasonably meet, but as of yet I feel like I've not heard of anyone having any serious interest in him whatsoever...I wonder if we might be able to end up bringing him back for cheap after all.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

One FA WR I'm "intrigued" by is John Ross III. Never stayed healthy enough or rose to WR1 with Cincy, played on a $2.25Mil deal w/ NYG last year but their offense was horrible so not necessarily a true reflection on Ross' contributions. Could he be a cheap MVS-replacement? Fast, sudden WR who's only knocks are staying healthy and 20% drop-rate. With AR lasering balls to him could he be a good 2nd/3rd option in this offense?

Can't remember where I saw it but I recently saw a chart that showed the receivers who had the fastest 40-times (like the top-10) and their production in the NFL. It wasn't great. I'm not a believer in John Ross.

 

[milani]

Just seemed appropriate to start this thread as we will be seeing in the coming days news of parting ways, future cuts/releases and such. Green Bay depending on Aaron could be active or may be unable.

Of course Rasul and Campbell are the clear top two FAs for Green Bay to want to sign/resign....but as the days progress I'm sure we will have ones to discuss in this thread.

Well, we got one so far. Campbell, I felt was maybe the most critical of all our signings aside from Rodgers. We have not had a LB like him in a very long time.

 

[milani]

I'm wondering what's going to happen with Tonyan. I figured that someone would make him an offer that we probably couldn't reasonably meet, but as of yet I feel like I've not heard of anyone having any serious interest in him whatsoever...I wonder if we might be able to end up bringing him back for cheap after all.

The Packers may be waiting to see how he heals. Even if Tonyan is around the TE position is one that we need to address.

 

[milani]

Kyle Rudolph and the Giants are parting ways. With Tonyan most likely not healthy at start even if we resign him...and Deguara progressing but perhaps not there yet, Rudolph could be a bargain for sure - and if SOMEHOW Aaron stays and they can spare a few bills Rudolph may very well see a chance at a SB here in Green Bay. MLF would love to have another TE he can 100% trust to know blocking assignments and he has more receiving chops than Big Dog. Not to mention HIGH HIGH caliber man he is - that fits Green Bay culture.

How much left in the tank does Rudolph have? Love nothing better than to see him line up against the Vikings.

 

[milani]

I wasn’t advocating a switch, I’m a big dog fan

I like Big Dog but he fumbles. Still holds the ball like a loaf of bread.

 

[milani]

Bobby Wagner turns 32 in June and is still a durable, formidable NFL ILB. He had been making $18mil/yr, and I'm guessing someone will offer him a 3 yr/$30mil deal or more so not expecting GB to be a player for his services.

The man can still hit people. The Packers can monitor his snaps although he is the kind of player that wants to be out there all the time.

 

[Pkrjones]

Can't remember where I saw it but I recently saw a chart that showed the receivers who had the fastest 40-times (like the top-10) and their production in the NFL. It wasn't great. I'm not a believer in John Ross.

Ross hasn't played up to his 1st round (9th pick) status due to injuries & dropsies. Still think he'd be a good field-streching MVS replacement. Might be a cheap, fun Gute experiment getting him into camp?

 

[tynimiller]

Can't remember where I saw it but I recently saw a chart that showed the receivers who had the fastest 40-times (like the top-10) and their production in the NFL. It wasn't great. I'm not a believer in John Ross.

Few of the fastest with actual seasons behind them:
Tyreek Hill 4.29 - Elite playmaker
Marquise Goodwin 4.27 - Saw nearly 1,000 yards first year with San Fran, last three seasons combined around 1,000 total yards and is mainly a deep threat
Marquez Valdez Scantling - 4.37 Going to most likely make $10M/year or so and has been respectable NFL WR, consistently leads league in yards per catch.
John Ross - guy that prompted discussion, contributor is about best term to describe him.
DJ Chark - 4.34 Posted solid figures in Jax, recently injured and signed to a prove it year in Detroit for $10M
Reggie Davis - 4.36
Curtis Samuel - 4.31 Put forth three solid Carolina years 18-20' and is still going, believe injured last year.



Most notable retired guys with sub 4.4 speed:
Calvin Johnson 4.35
Randy Moss 4.25
Torry Holt 4.38
Jerome Mathis - 4.26 - All Pro returner rookie year and then injuries derailed everything

 

[tynimiller]

Well, we got one so far. Campbell, I felt was maybe the most critical of all our signings aside from Rodgers. We have not had a LB like him in a very long time.

Technically doesn't fit signing, was an extension but yup he and Barnes are a perfect duo across the middle!

 

[tynimiller]

I like Big Dog but he fumbles. Still holds the ball like a loaf of bread.

16 years in the league and has been credited with 5 fumbles in regular season and 2 in playoffs...not really something I'd label as a fumbler. I mean he has 442 receptions overall and 7 fumbles or 1.5% of those times. Slightly high but not crazy.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Ross hasn't played up to his 1st round (9th pick) status due to injuries & dropsies. Still think he'd be a good field-streching MVS replacement. Might be a cheap, fun Gute experiment getting him into camp?

He's as fast as MVS that's for sure. He's also a LOT smaller. If they're bringing in a project I'd prefer they went for OJ Howard; Howard at least shown indications of being great.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Few of the fastest with actual seasons behind them:
Tyreek Hill 4.29 - Elite playmaker
Marquise Goodwin 4.27 - Saw nearly 1,000 yards first year with San Fran, last three seasons combined around 1,000 total yards and is mainly a deep threat
Marquez Valdez Scantling - 4.37 Going to most likely make $10M/year or so and has been respectable NFL WR, consistently leads league in yards per catch.
John Ross - guy that prompted discussion, contributor is about best term to describe him.
DJ Chark - 4.34 Posted solid figures in Jax, recently injured and signed to a prove it year in Detroit for $10M
Reggie Davis - 4.36
Curtis Samuel - 4.31 Put forth three solid Carolina years 18-20' and is still going, believe injured last year.



Most notable retired guys with sub 4.4 speed:
Calvin Johnson 4.35
Randy Moss 4.25
Torry Holt 4.38
Jerome Mathis - 4.26 - All Pro returner rookie year and then injuries derailed everything

Yes, there have been very good, fast receivers. I believe i said top-10 40 times? I also should have added that the times i saw were from the combine so that obviously excludes a number of players who had insane speeds at pro days.

Now I feel forced to look it up, here are the top 40 times in combine history. Some good players but most are, uhmm, forgetable:
John Ross 4.22
Kalon Barnes 4.23 (CB)
Rondel Menendez 4.24
Chris Johnson 4.24
Jerome Mathis 4.26
Dri Archer 4.26
Tariq Wooden 4.26 (CB)
Henry Ruggs III 4.27
Stanford Routt 4.27
Marquise Goodwin 4.27
Champ Bailey 4.28 (CB)
Jacoby Ford 4.28
JJ Nelson 4.28
Tyquan Thornton 4.28

Ignoring corners (they're not really the point) you have one great WR, one great RB, and one potentially great WR (Ruggs)....40 time is important but just being one of the fastest isn't a great indicator of potential performance.

 

[tynimiller]

Yes, there have been very good, fast receivers. I believe i said top-10 40 times? I also should have added that the times i saw were from the combine so that obviously excludes a number of players who had insane speeds at pro days.

Now I feel forced to look it up, here are the top 40 times in combine history. Some good players but most are, uhmm, forgetable:
John Ross 4.22
Kalon Barnes 4.23 (CB)
Rondel Menendez 4.24
Chris Johnson 4.24
Jerome Mathis 4.26
Dri Archer 4.26
Tariq Wooden 4.26 (CB)
Henry Ruggs III 4.27
Stanford Routt 4.27
Marquise Goodwin 4.27
Champ Bailey 4.28 (CB)
Jacoby Ford 4.28
JJ Nelson 4.28
Tyquan Thornton 4.28

Ignoring corners (they're not really the point) you have one great WR, one great RB, and one potentially great WR (Ruggs)....40 time is important but just being one of the fastest isn't a great indicator of potential performance.

Most of those don't even have a "career" to gauge really and that is why I stayed in the same position and only guys that actually have some years under their belts to judge. Your list includes other positions but using it lets look at the guys:

WR John Ross 4.22 - Purely a depth contributor role type guy, arguably less value than MVS would be agreed.

CB Kalon Barnes 4.23 (CB) - Hasn't played a snap, zero reason to judge.

WR Rondel Menendez 4.24 - A 7th round draft pick (so zero expectations of good), showed promise as returner and then tore his miniscus zero ability to properly judge in many ways.

RB Chris Johnson 4.24 - Had a very electric, somewhat short career - 6 straight 1,000 plus seasons is insanely good, and was supportive role for two more before really dropping.

WR Jerome Mathis 4.26 - As a rookie this dude LIT IT UP as a returner, making the Pro Bowl even...in his second year he fractured his foot and was never the same...showed insane promise but no one can judge his career as he never had one.

Dri Archer 4.26 - Decent returner but never great and never panned out into anything after being a 3rd round pick. *Failure can be applied justly it seems.

Tariq Wooden 4.26 (CB) - Hasn't played a snap zero reason to judge.

Henry Ruggs III 4.27 - Will never know, zero reason to judge as cannot incomplete

CB Stanford Routt 4.27 - Eight year career, was a starter three of those years and wasn't a a terrible CB to have but also not a top end as many hoped. Failure may be harsh but definitely underachieved.

Marquise Goodwin 4.27 - This guy is still going at age 31 and has seen 9 seasons of use. He's been primarily a role type guy, with 2017 nearly breaking 1,000 yards receiving...but for a 3rd rounder slight underachievement I think any could argue as enough of his career has passed. Last season he put up 313 yards, was not a starter and scored a touchdown for Chicago.

CB Champ Bailey 4.28 - Everyone knows this guy, VERY good.

Jacoby Ford 4.28 - A fourth rounder that was christened a return specialist that happened to be a WR as well. Despite that he did put up 470 yards his first year and an 18.8 yards per catch level. However after three years and growth by others his "specialty" role was a liability to a roster space and was cut, never picked up elsewhere - similar to others being a 4th and never even staying on a roster elsewhere after a few tries even in the CFL and failing he is christened a failure with justification.

WR JJ Nelson 4.28 - A 5th round flyer taken by Arizona in 2018, he is actually still in the league technically...but after PS squads since his knee injury it is doubtful he is picked up. Crazy thing is Nelson appeared to be growing into something in first three years putting up over nearly 1,400 yards, seeing over 75 receptions but his catch percentage was worse than even MVS (partially comes with the fact he was a deep threat only role type guy). Not being one good at returning this limited his function and once rookie deal was done his future was as well. For a 5th rounder one could argue he did what could be expected and even flirted with being more.

Tyquan Thornton 4.28 - Hasn't played a snap zero reason to judge

 

[mradtke66]

Technically doesn't fit signing, was an extension but yup he and Barnes are a perfect duo across the middle!

I'd argue it was a signing. His contract voided.

 

[tynimiller]

I'd argue it was a signing. His contract voided.

The league year had not ended. He was under contract and extended - there is a reason it was an extension on the books.

Doesn’t matter though

 

[coulomb]

Lazard was tendered. Think Someone is going to offer him more than 4mil?

Packers giving Allen Lazard second-round RFA tender

Now that Aaron Rodgers has officially signed his new contract with the Packers, the team is moving to solidify the quarterback's weapons for 2022.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

 

[Pkrjones]

Lazard was tendered. Think Someone is going to offer him more than 4mil?

Packers giving Allen Lazard second-round RFA tender

Now that Aaron Rodgers has officially signed his new contract with the Packers, the team is moving to solidify the quarterback's weapons for 2022.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

There are a lot of lazy(er) WR's making a lot more than $4mil in the league... it could happen. Just thinking about supposed #1 & #2 WR's who are too good to throw a block or half-a$s their routes when they're not a top 3 target.

 

[tynimiller]

Lazard was tendered. Think Someone is going to offer him more than 4mil?

Packers giving Allen Lazard second-round RFA tender

Now that Aaron Rodgers has officially signed his new contract with the Packers, the team is moving to solidify the quarterback's weapons for 2022.

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

Do I think someone would if that was all they had to do, yes absolutely. Do they do that and also have to give up a second is the kicker that might make everyone hold off.

However, time will tell.

 

[swhitset]

Not a good place to put this but Oren Burks gets $5M - 2 year deal with the 49ers.

traded back up into the 3rd round to get him… never understood that one.

 

[wist43]

Well, we got one so far. Campbell, I felt was maybe the most critical of all our signings aside from Rodgers. We have not had a LB like him in a very long time.

Glad we resigned him. Would have preferred Foye Oluokun, but he signed with Jax for more $$.

 

[Pkrjones]

OL Lucas Patrick will become a Bear. Great pickup by Chicago as they desperately need OL help.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I was only listing free agents but for sure.

Now Kirk's details of the contract is out and it is not $84M

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That is still a DUMB contract and is no doubt truly a two year deal I suspect unless Kirk explodes into a Top 20 WR in the league.

Even if the Jaguars release Kirk after two seasons he would have made at least $37 million. Absolutely crazy.

The man can still hit people. The Packers can monitor his snaps although he is the kind of player that wants to be out there all the time.

The Packers won't have enough cap space to compete for Wagner's services.