Packers prefer to turn to draft to address remaining needs at safety

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers still need to add to their safety position, but even with a few big-name free agents still available, it sounds like GM Brian Gutekunst is planning on addressing the need in the draft for now.

“Certainly, I think we’d always prefer a young guy that’s always going to have his best football ahead of him,” said Gutekunst at the NFL’s Annual Meeting. “But we will look at all options as we go forward. Certainly, with the draft coming up, which is important, we’ve had some success finding guys after the draft in the free-agent market that have fit us very well.

“I’ve spoken to you guys in the past about how this never stops, so we’ll continue to look at ways to add to our football team. Kind of keeping this year and the years to the future in mind.”

Free agency has just about come to a halt at this point, but there are still several players available at the safety position who could step in and make an immediate impact.

On PFF’s list of available free agents, Justin Simmons is listed as the best remaining player, regardless of position. Julian Blackmon is ranked ninth. Also unsigned are Tashaun Gipson, Micah Hyde, Jayron Kearse, and Rudy Ford, who makes sense to bring back.

The Packers do still have operating room when it comes to the salary cap. According to Ken Ingalls, who independently tracks the Packers’ cap situation, when factoring in incoming expenses, such as signing the draft, class, the practice squad, and having in-season reserves, among other costs, the Packers’ effective cap space is $13.57 million.

However, every deal made today has future salary cap implications. And while the Packers’ have the ability to make another fairly significant addition at safety, from the sounds of it, Gutekunst wants to see how the draft unfolds first.

“You can do whatever you’d like,” said Gutekunst when it comes to spending. “It’s just there’s going to be consequences to that, not only within this year but in future years. I feel really good about our roster right now. Our numbers are higher than they usually are going into this time.

“Certainly, we’ve got a number of players who are entering the prime of their careers, so I feel really good about it. But at the same time, if there becomes a player that fits what we are 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 are ramifications to that.”

With Xavier McKinney able to provide the most value to this defense as a post-safety, adding a box safety to the mix, especially in a Jeff Hafley defense that will utilize more Cover-1, would be a nice complement to McKinney’s skill set.

But with that said, the priority for Gutekunst is going to be versatility. He mentioned at the NFL Combine that he wants the two safety positions and the nickel to be “interchangeable.”

On Daniel Jereamiah’s big board, he didn’t have any safeties ranked in his top 50 overall prospects. Below is how PFF sees the top-10 of the safety class shaking out:

25. Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

48. Javon Bullard, Georgia

61. Jaden Hicks, Washington State

87. Kamren Kinchens, Miami

97. Calen Bullock, USC

99. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

101. Sione Vaki, Utah

117. Tykee Smith, Georgia

118. Cole Bishop, Utah

159. Beau Brade, Maryland

“I think it’s a pretty good safety class this year,” said Gutekunst. “The draft is unpredictable. It’s how these things fall, whether it comes to you, but it’s a pretty good safety class. But I don’t think going into the draft is anything you can count on just because you never know how it’s going to fall.”

As Gutekunst alluded to, depending on how the draft goes, we could see the Packers active in the free agent safety market if they feel that they need to raise the floor of the position group and add some competition with a veteran. Recent post-draft signings who came in and made an impact include De’Vondre Campbell, Dennis Kelly, and Jonathan Owens.

Even with the addition of McKinney, safety remains a top need for the Packers. The only other players on the roster are Anthony Johnson, a second-year seventh-round pick. Benny Sapp and Zayne Anders, two special teams players if on the roster, and Tyler Coyle, who was signed to a futures deal in January.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers prefer to turn to draft to address remaining needs at safety