Report: Packers Bringing in TE Owen Daniels for a Visit
A former Wisconsin Badger, Daniels is a street free agent and able to sign with any team.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
#Texans TE Owen Daniels, a former UW product, is making a visit to Green Bay to meet with the #Packers, according to an NFL source.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 12, 2014
With Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless out testing the open waters of free agency, Daniels would be an experienced option that could offset some of the production from the afore-mentioned tight end duo should they depart.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Daniels will be entering his ninth year in the NFL in 2014 and has 385 career receptions for 4.617 yards and 29 touchdowns. His best season came two years ago in 2012 when he caught 62 passes for for 716 yards and six touchdowns, and that included missing one game. Those 62 receptions would represent a single-season record for tight ends in Green Bay, previously set by Finley.
Missing games has been a recurring problem for Daniels in recent seasons. He played in only five games this past season after fracturing his fibula and was placed on short-term injured reserve.
In 2009, Daniels was limited to eight games after tearing his ACL, but put those concerns behind him with productive seasons in 2011 and 2012.
One other reason Daniels might be attractive to the Packers is that he's technically not an unrestricted free agent after being released by the Houston Texans on Tuesday and therefore won't count in the compensatory draft pick equation.
Teams receive compensation for losing more free agents of equal value than they sign, which is why the Packers are likely to receive two draft picks this year for losing wide receiver Greg Jennings and linebacker Erik Walden last season.
Daniels would have counted $6.25 million against the salary cap in 2014 had the Texans kept him. He had one year left on a three-year deal worth roughly $15 million.
Signing Daniels would also mitigate the need for the Packers to address tight end in the first few rounds of the NFL Draft, allowing them to focus on other positions, most likely on the defensive side of the football.
In addition to his injury history, there might also be concern about how much Daniels has left in the tank. At 31 years old, the Packers may not want to commit to him on a long-term contract.
Comments (24)
RCPackerFan
March 12, 2014 at 01:06 pm
Wouldn't be a bad signing pending on price. Has an injury history.
murphy
March 12, 2014 at 01:12 pm
Not someone who will shut up the FA saber rattlers, but he seems like he'd be more than adequate if both Finely and Quarless are gone, assuming that he'd be healthy during the vast majority of the season.
That's kind of a big assumption.
Evan
March 12, 2014 at 01:08 pm
A torn ACL and a broken fibula aren't a injury history that really concerns me - those aren't "injury-prone" injuries.
I wish he were taller (only 6'3"), but he's definitely been productive. He'd be a nice 1-2 year player.
White92
March 12, 2014 at 01:19 pm
That was my thought also. If you don't break the bank and you are not relying on him long term, he's perfect. Seems to be Ted's wheelhouse
Idiot Fan
March 12, 2014 at 01:50 pm
I drafted him for my fantasy team in 2009, which pretty much guarantees a player the tearing of some important ligament, so definitely don't hold that one against him.
HankScorpio
March 12, 2014 at 01:17 pm
I would like this signing more than re-signing Quarless. Add in Brandon Bostick and they are up to 2 guys I'm ok with come opening day. I would like a day 2/early day 3 draftee to fill out the position.
lebowski
March 12, 2014 at 01:20 pm
"Missing games has been a recurring problem". Sounds like Packer People to me.
Evan
March 12, 2014 at 01:42 pm
@TyDunne In Tenn., @jwyattsports reports that #Steelers DL Al Woods is scheduled to meet with #Packers on Thursday. Had 16 tackles, two sacks in '13.
A NT - 6'4", 307 lbs. Only 26. 2 career starts.
EDIT: Also listed as a DE in some places.
RCPackerFan
March 12, 2014 at 01:43 pm
I was just going to post that...
From what I have heard about him, is he is an up and coming type of player.
Also...
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
They want to sign 2 WRs RT @MMehtaNYDN: Sources: Jets have expressed a real interest in Packers WR James Jones. http://nydn.us/1gq8R37
Evan
March 12, 2014 at 01:46 pm
Better the Jets than the Lions...
Idiot Fan
March 12, 2014 at 01:51 pm
YES
HankScorpio
March 12, 2014 at 05:42 pm
The Lions just added Golden Tate for too much money.
Idiot Fan
March 12, 2014 at 07:10 pm
I disdain Golden Tate. Playing against him twice a year is going to drive me crazy. If Schwartz was still there, I don't know if I could handle all that annoyingness.
Irish_Cheesehead
March 12, 2014 at 01:40 pm
Only entering his ninth year in the NFL? I would have guessed he was older by that picture. Could be a nice addition.
Idiot Fan
March 12, 2014 at 01:59 pm
He's got decent athleticism as a receiver; anybody know how he is as a blocker?
L
March 12, 2014 at 02:25 pm
"One other reason Daniels might be attractive to the Packers is that he's technically not an unrestricted free agent after being released by the Houston Texans on Tuesday and therefore won't count in the compensatory draft pick equation."
Indeed this may be the biggest draw for TT and the Packers in assessing the value and sense of signing him to a short-ish term contract. I'm thinking they offer him a 2, maybe a 3, year deal that certainly won't break the proverbial bank given that he is 31 years old and has some injury history. If this is so, I like it!
L
March 12, 2014 at 06:11 pm
Given the attractiveness of signing free agents that won't count against the compensatory draft pick equation I wonder if Ted Thompson will show any interest in taking a look at other cut players such as: DE/OLB Chris Clemons, DE Adam Carriker (returning from knee inj.), DL Isaac Sopoaga, DL Letroy Guion, LB Jameel McClain, LB LaMarr Woodley (Pro Bowler), FS Thomas DeCoud (Pro Bowler), SS Patrick Chung, and SS Roman Harper (2x Pro Bowler). Depending on their cost they could be excellent short-term solutions or simply nice competition at key positions in regards to earning a position on the 53.
I'd love to see TT take a good hard look at former Pro Bowlers LaMarr Woodley and Thomas DeCoud or Roman Harper as possible challengers for a starting position on top of acquiring Owen Daniels; plus, why not give some consideration to the others (DE/OLB Chris Clemons, LB Jameel McClain, SS Patrick Chung, DL Isaac Sopoaga, DL Letrov Guion, and DE Adam Carriker if medically okay) as possible low-cost/low-risk team depth challengers for training camp -- at a minimum just bring them in for a closer look since signing them won't neglect any compensatory draft picks we'll be earning, but of course signing any of these "others" will still depend on what kind of guaranteed money it'll take; hopefully none.
wharrington
March 12, 2014 at 03:53 pm
When I heard Texas let go of Daniels my first thought was, "This would be a perfect short-term solution in Greenbay". It still will fit with TT's "draft and develop" philosophy as we'll undoubtedly draft a TE this year or next. Daniels is a proven team player who will strap on the helmet and go to war. It's a great "fit" if the price is reasonable. Maybe a two-three year deal? I just don't see Finley and Quarless returning as they are being shopped around pretty heavy.
4thand1
March 12, 2014 at 03:57 pm
Why not.
Koostyroosty
March 12, 2014 at 06:27 pm
2 year deal would be good. as stated above, could be a transition while the next TE develops. no question about his hands.
TommyG
March 12, 2014 at 07:00 pm
Doug, I was gonna say almost exactly this. I totally agree.
NickPerry
March 13, 2014 at 07:16 am
Owens catches the ball when it's thrown to him, that alone makes him worth a look.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
March 13, 2014 at 01:15 pm
idk
HankScorpio
March 17, 2014 at 08:11 am
So does signing Quarless mean that the Packers are no longer interested in Daniels? I would hope they would still be interested at a bargain price.
A TE trio of Daniels, Quarless and Bostick would suit me just fine.