Safety is a sneaky need for the Packers
Taking a look at free agent options.
Damontae Kazee played for the Cowboys in 2021. Photo: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
When we talk about Green Bay Packers needs, wide receiver immediately (and fairly) comes to mind. Tackle, edge, and defensive tackle also are mentioned frequently. But there is a position that is filled, but demands an active approach not to become a problem in the near future: safety. This offseason, there was an expectation that Adrian Amos could be extended. But the Packers decided only to restructure his contract, opening up $ 4.7 million in cap space in 2022. But that also means Amos will be a free agent in 2023. Darnell Savage is in the final year of his rookie deal and, although the Packers can exercise his fifth-year option for 2023, the decision must come by May 2nd, and it's far from a certainty.
The only safety under contract beyond 2022 is Vernon Scott, a seventh-round pick in 2020 who appeared in three games last season, but spent most of the games as an inactive player.
Surely, the Packers might be able to keep both Amos and Savage long-term. But Joe Barry's system frequently uses three safeties on the field at the same time. That's why we saw so many snaps by Henry Black last season - by the end of the year, even Kevin King was playing as a dime safety.
In free agency, the Packers can find depth pieces. It's hard to imagine Brian Gutekunst would make a large investment in guys like Tyrann Mathieu or Landon Collins. But Jabrill Peppers, Damontae Kazee, or DeShon Elliott are realistic options.
Jabrill Peppers
Peppers was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. After two years in Cleveland, he was traded to the New York Giants as part of the Odell Beckham Jr. deal. Last season, he suffered an ACL injury, so his recovery is the reason why he's still a free agent. As a 26-year-old player, Peppers can be a long-term bet by Green Bay.
Damontae Kazee
Kazee was a fifth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. He is 28 years old and as a solid contributor to the Dallas Cowboys last season. He signed a one-year contract with Dallas to follow coach Dan Quinn and to go back to the market this offseason. Kazee's best moments were between 2018 and 2019, when he had 10 interceptions (7 in 2018, when he led the NFL). He started 15 games for the Cowboys in 2021 and received a 60.9 PFF grade - in comparison, Savage had a 59.7 grade.
DeShon Elliott
Since Brian Gutekunst hired former Ravens' executive Milt Hendrickson as director of football operations, the Packers have signed multiple former Baltimore players. And Elliott could be the next one. He is only 24 years old and has four years in the NFL. He lost the second half of last season because of biceps and pectoral injuries, but should be good to go when next season starts. He had a 65.6 PFF grade, with 19 solo tackles.
The draft is also an alternative - probably the best one - to find long-term solutions. While Kyle Hamilton is too good of a prospect to be in the Packers' range, Michigan's Daxton Hill or Georgia's Lewis Cine could be high draft picks. If the plan is to use a mid-round pick to fill the position, which might be the smartest approach, there is a third-round prospect from Cincinnati who has the physicality necessary to play in the box and could be a perfect complement to Amos and Savage, even if they are kept for the future: Bryan Cook, a 6'1, 210lb senior.
Bryan Cook
Cook is a strong player, who is well suited to play in the box if needed. Decent athlete and fast to react after recognizing plays. He is viewed as a third-round prospect.
Nick Cross
Cross is also a third-round prospect, but a different kind of player. With a 4.34 40-yard, he is fast for the position and can cover from sideline to sideline. Good attitude to attack ball carriers.
Markquese Bell
If the Packers want a late-round bet, Bell could be an option. He's fast and plays with acceleration, but needs technical development to be more effective with his body movements. He could be a special teamer and developmental defender.
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Wendell Ferreira covers the Green Bay Packers for Zone Coverage and Cheesehead TV. He is a Brazilian journalist with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, soccer, NBA, and MMA. Follow him on twitter at @wendellfp
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Comments (28)
LambeauPlain
March 22, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Draft Buzz lists all DB together in their profiles and ratings. Of their top dozen DBs, 5 are Safeties. All are over 6 ft with good size and speed.
Kyle Hamilton would ordinarily be out of the Packers range in the first round...but he suffered a knee injury at midseason and missed the rest of the season. So he may drop with injury concerns.
If he fell to 22, would you make him a Packer?
dobber
March 22, 2022 at 12:17 pm
Without question.
SteveMiller22
March 22, 2022 at 12:20 pm
I hate to break it to you, but you have a better chance of being the 22nd pick than Hamilton does. I'd be shocked if he drops out of the top 5, and there is NO chance he drops out of the top 10.
Coldworld
March 22, 2022 at 12:42 pm
No, not given our other needs and the importance of contributing now. S should be third day with an eye on ST and developmental potential, in my opinion.
We are not drafting for the future this year, particularly early. Unless there is a massive improvement now, draft for the biggest net gain. Frankly that comes from DL, WR almost indubitably.
Starrbrite
March 22, 2022 at 04:30 pm
I agree with Coldworld. I hope we draft and/or sign a safety, but I don’t believe it should above than a 4th rnd pick.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 23, 2022 at 03:45 am
I think it is a moot point. He won't be there at #22. He could help us in 2022 most likely. He can play deep, in the box, robber. Most of the reviews are just gushing. NFL.com questioned whether he can cover shifty slot WRs. I suspect Barry would find 600 snaps for him as a rookie.
"Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton might just be the best NFL draft prospect I’ve personally studied since entering into the draft space in 2014." Crabbs - thedraftnetwork.
IDK. I agree that GB should draft for 2022 and perhaps 2023. Draft analysts spoke about taking him at #3 overall. Well, he would and should be hard to pass over at #22.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/kyle-hamilton/dohC9Wztil
LLCHESTY
March 22, 2022 at 04:45 pm
Hamilton is a top 10 pick in all likelyhood.
splitpea1
March 22, 2022 at 12:25 pm
There was an article a few weeks ago with almost the exact same title....and I agree, but with the Amos situation, the need is certainly less sneaky now.
As far as the draft goes, Penn State's Brisker wasn't mentioned, although he may not be within the Packers' reach, either. If Gute does surprise and go for a safety in the first round, Daxton Hill is probably the more realistic option--he has the athleticism and high ceiling that Gute may not be able to resist.
jannesbjornson
March 22, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Get Honey Badger. Play to win. Brisker is a solid player, upper second round guy.
Razer
March 22, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Timely article - thanks Wendell. Totally agree that safety is a looming need for this defense. As much as would like to see us improve the D-line, safety is right there in priority. I am not sure who is available via the draft but I would like to see us emphasize a player with football savvy more than just an athlete. Savage may be fast but I can't recall ever being impressed with his speed to recognize a play. Maybe this is one position that we focus on veteran players like we did with Amos.
mnbadger
March 22, 2022 at 12:36 pm
great overview, showing top end draft prospects and best available (price range) free agents. Probably no real game changers, but at least as good if not better grades than Savage. Hopefully we can draft a mid/late round safety and add one of the above via FA. GPG
Coldworld
March 22, 2022 at 01:29 pm
Well, Z Smith can now go after Rodgers for the rest of his career. Another Packer to the Vikings. Hope he costs them dearly.
jannesbjornson
March 22, 2022 at 02:30 pm
He either gets 10 sacks or misses ten games. Run at him with a power formation.
MooPack
March 22, 2022 at 01:39 pm
If the Packers see a need there and want to use top draft capital, they could have a shot at S/CB Daxton Hill at #22 or #28. My opinion is he will be best Safety in class and also played CB, mainly slot. Blitzed from that position. That kind of flexibility is what gives OC's a headache.
LLCHESTY
March 22, 2022 at 04:55 pm
I think Brisker and Pitre are more instinctive than Hill. Pitre reminds me of Javon Holland.
scoonie_penn
March 22, 2022 at 01:55 pm
If Brisker from Penn State is available GB should try to draft him in the 2nd. He's another Winfield Jr type of player. the guy is always making an impact and big plays. You can't teach what he has.
dobber
March 22, 2022 at 02:10 pm
Not a sneaky need at all. When the Packers chose to not extend Amos--and they still might--and just add void years, they signaled that they may be moving on to new players post 2022. They had a lack of depth there to begin with, I think they take a S in the first 2 rounds, now, unless they find a cheap but effective vet to plug into the depth chart.
HawkPacker
March 22, 2022 at 02:44 pm
Yeah, they will need to select in the top 2 rounds anyway so the guy can get the experience needed for year 2 if they let Amos depart.
Coldworld
March 22, 2022 at 05:15 pm
Assuming they don’t do something later. Of course Amos might want to hit FA.
PhantomII
March 23, 2022 at 08:59 pm
That would be too bad. Amos and Douglas are the best tacklers. Plus we need a FS badly.
PackEyedOptimist
March 22, 2022 at 03:01 pm
I had high hopes for Innis Gaines to develop...now it's more like wishful thinking, but I haven't given up on him. I loved his college tape.
Great safeties make a huge impact, but they can be tricky to identify for a draft.
jannesbjornson
March 22, 2022 at 06:48 pm
He could not beat out Black or Scott, so....
MarkinMadison
March 22, 2022 at 03:53 pm
I don't think the Packers can afford to spend big money on a FA safety. So I would have appreciated $$ projections for the prospects. It is bargain basement time folks. And nobody coming off of an ACL. The Packers already have too many guys recovering from ACL injuries.
I think there are a number of good safeties in the draft, and I don't think the Packers need to use a first or second round pick to get one this year.
I think Amos deserves an extension. I'd like to see him get his, but I get that he may have to wait. I just don't want to see it turn out like it did with Davante. (Not that I really minded Davante being traded, but the souring of the relationship to the point where a player would rather leave is always a bad thing.)
Grandfathered
March 22, 2022 at 05:41 pm
People want to leave their current employer and go to a new employer all the time. I don't think it's always bad, and I thought the DA/Packers relationship was just business - not "souring". But I agree that Amos deserves an extension.
I am not a stats person, but even if you had 25 guys coming off ACL injuries, that would have no impact on whether one guy rehabbs better or worse than average. Correct me if I'm wrong.
LLCHESTY
March 22, 2022 at 04:52 pm
Nock Cross is a little green but he'd be a good pickup if available in the 4th round. They need to find a good deep safety to allow them to run some designed stuff for Amos and Savage.
PhantomII
March 22, 2022 at 08:27 pm
We need a FS. None of our current roster translates to the position well at all.
croatpackfan
March 23, 2022 at 05:28 am
I can see that first 4 pick will be used to take one player at following position: DL, ILB, WR, S. The rest of the picks will be to fill smaller holes on the team...
egbertsouse
March 23, 2022 at 07:35 am
Safety is not a sneaky need. It’s obvious, Savage stinks. He’s HHCD 2.0.