PFF’s top three free agents the Packers should target in 2025

The Green Bay Packers, who secured a spot in this year’s playoffs with last week’s big win over the New Orleans Saints, will be aiming to make a deep postseason run come the New Year. The Packers are a talented team with an 11-4 record but are currently winless against the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Therefore, they still need to prove they can handle the cream of the crop in the NFC.

If this isn’t Green Bay’s year, they’ll still have plenty of pieces to build from. Building a roster is a 365-day-a-year job, and there will undoubtedly be areas where the Packers can improve in the offseason.

While it may be difficult to get into the offseason mindset when there is so much more football to be played, Green Bay is projected to have plenty of money to spend, opening the door to an aggressive approach in free agency. With that in mind, Pro Football Focus recently published the following: Top 50 free agents of 2025. Some of the names on their list could be a great fit for a cash-strapped Packers team.

Using PFF’s rankings, let’s identify a few free agents who could be at the top of Green Bay’s wish list in 2025.

CB DJ Reed, New York Jets

2024 statistics: 12 games (12 starts), 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 10 pass breakups, zero interceptions

– PFF: “Reed is poised to enter free agency at an ideal time because he is on track for a career year. His 75.1 coverage grade ranks 14th among players at his position this season. “He also did well on PFF’s advanced metrics with a lock-up percentage of 52.26%.”

Suitable for Packers: The only new corner added to the Packers roster last summer was seventh-round pick Kalen King, an indication that the team feels pretty good about its cornerback depth. This decision paid off, considering they sit 8th in passes allowed per game this season; despite top cornerback Jaire Alexander missing eight games due to injury. But with Alexander’s injuries continuing to mount and former first-rounder Eric Stokes’ contract expiring, cornerback needs to be given more of a priority in 2025. Reed will be a hit, but Green Bay could be an attractive destination. There will likely be a lot of transition from the Jets’ scheme to Jeff Hafley’s scheme, setting up a smooth transition for Reed as he joins an extremely talented sophomore class and starts out as a legitimate contender.

EDGE Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders

2024 statistics: Game not played (injury)

– PFF: “Koonce could have been in the top 10 of our list had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury before the start of 2024 and continued his momentum through the back half of 2023. Perhaps the upside of getting injured so early in the year is that it would be healthier for Koonce to enter free agency rather than get injured during the season.” What should happen is that Koonce could re-enter the market in 2026 or extend a two-year contract by one year like recent defenders like Uchenna Nwosu. “A short-term deal might make sense.”

Suitable for Packers: Green Bay’s rushing room has done a good job of late, but if they’re looking for reinforcements, Koonce is worth a look. Koonce, who broke out in 2023 with 8.0 sacks, 43 tackles and 17 quarterback hits, unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice just three days before the start of the 2024 season. The Raiders have had a disastrous year and would be wise to retain a player with Koonce’s potential, but they could also choose to let him walk. At just 26 years old, Koonce’s best football may still be ahead of him, and Green Bay is an ideal landing spot where he can continue to hone his skills in a 4-3 defense. At least Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. A perfect rotational piece to pair with.

C Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons

2024 statistics: 7 games (7 starts), 61.4 pass blocking rating, 79.6 run blocking rating, eight pressures and two sacks allowed in pass protection, 411 offensive snaps played

– PFF: “There aren’t a lot of long-term answers at center in terms of free agency, which would make Dalman the primary beneficiary if he reaches the open market. Any team that implements an offensive plan out of the zone will have the entire previous fourth-round pick. Dalman has room to grow as a pass protector, but he is one of the best run-blocking centers in the NFL and will further the continued growth of the interior offensive line market after Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey finally reset the center market.”

Suitable for Packers: Josh Myers has been the Packers’ preferred center for the past four years, but that could change when his rookie contract expires at the end of the season. Green Bay could certainly find an upgrade for Myers, who ranks 39th among centers with at least 200 offensive tackles this season. This pales in comparison to Dalman, who finished fifth overall. The Packers would have a much more consistent player in Dalman, which has been an issue for Myers since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2021. Dalman was also in the same draft class and performed much better than Myers despite being drafted twice. later tours.