The Green Bay Packers are usually bystanders while other teams throw around millions in free agency. That's about to change.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport said Wednesday on "NFL Total Access" that the Packers plan to take advantage of their nearly $30 million in cap space and acquire outside free agents, according to sources informed of the team's thinking.
Rapoport reported on NFL Network that the Packers could sign as many as five players, which would be the most for the team since 2006.
And who will Green Bay target? According to Rapoport, the team is committed to rebuilding its defense in a way that best suits the philosophy of defensive coordinator Dom Capers.
That means getting more athletic and versatile along the defensive line. A major goal is to improve their ability to blitz and get after the quarterback. Green Bay finished with 44 sacks last season, tied for eighth in the league.
This could be bad news for B.J. Raji, the standout defensive tackle who turned down $8 million to stay with the Packers last season. The Packers want defensive linemen that better resemble Datone Jones, last year's first-round draft pick. Raji and Ryan Pickett are 330-pound behemoths who might no longer fit what the team wants to do.
The Packers made the decision to stick with Capers. Now they're committed to giving him a defense that plays to his strengths.
On the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys huddle with Seahawks trio Michael Robinson, Brandon Mebane and Red Bryant before unpacking Cleveland's week of chaos.
