The Green Bay Packers have a big need at safety. With the new league year starting next week and franchise tags already handed out, we now know which free agent safeties will be available on the open market. Here is a look at five free agent safeties that could help the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
Keep in mind the Packers are looking for players who can fit Jeff Hafley’s defensive scheme which ideally will feature two players who can interchangeably play either box safety or a deep, coverage safety position.
The top three safeties on the 2023 depth chart, Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens, are all scheduled to be free agents themselves. That leaves Anthony Johnson, Jr. as the most experienced remaining safety on the current roster.
Free Agent Safeties That Could Help the Packers Number One: Xavier McKinney
Xavier McKinney will be a free agent after playing four seasons for the New York Giants. The former second-round pick out of Alabama would be a good fit in Hafley’s defense if he can stay healthy. He played all 17 games in 2023 and intercepted three passes while making 116 total tackles. He also broke-up a career-high 11 passes.
The big issue McKinney had thus far has been staying healthy. He played a full season in 2021 and 2023 and missed significant time due to injuries in 2020 and 2022.
McKinney will be one of the top free agent safeties out there. He may earn as much as $12 million per season. Will GM Brian Gutekunst be willing to shell out that kind of money to fortify the safety position this offseason? If he is, McKinney would be a great addition.
Number Two: Jordan Fuller
Like McKinney, Jordan Fuller will be a free agent at the end of his rookie contract. The Rams selected Fuller in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s been a starter for them since his rookie season.
Fuller started all 17 games for the Rams last season and intercepted three passes while making 94 tackles. Fuller has not been as consistent in pass coverage as McKinney, but he has a high football IQ and sees the game well.
He also played for Hafley at Ohio State which could make him a prime candidate to join him in Green Bay this offseason.
Free Agent Safeties That Could Help the Packers Number Three: Julian Blackmon
Julian Blackmon intercepted four passes for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, his fourth season in the NFL. The former Utah star will turn 26 in August. He has played at least 14 games in three of his four NFL seasons.
Blackmon enjoyed his best season in coverage in 2023. Opposing quarterbacks completed 60.9 percent of their passes when targeting receivers covered by Blackmon and had a quarterback rating of just 46.6.
Blackmon can play both box and in coverage. He made five tackles for loss last season while breaking up eight passes.
Number Four: Quandre Diggs
If the Packers are looking for a short-term solution at safety, former Seahawk Quandre Diggs would be an interesting option.
Diggs is only 5’9” but he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2020 until 2022. He’s also been healthy for most of his nine-year NFL career.
The 31-year-old Texas alum may be cheaper and sign a shorter-term deal than some of the alternatives.
His play in coverage did drop off a bit last season and he missed a career-high 13 tackles. Diggs has experience and savvy and can provide leadership for a season or two and help mentor any young safeties the Packers add in the draft this season.
Free Agent Safeties That Could Help the Packers Number Five: Geno Stone
Iowa alum Geno Stone has come a long way from seventh round draft pick to three-year NFL starter. Stone intercepted seven passes last season and broke up nine passes. He also broke up nine passes and held opposing quarterbacks to a 63.8 quarterback rating.
He did miss nine tackles which would be a bit of a concern, but he could help the Packers increase their turnovers, something they needed help with in 2023.
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