Green Bay Packers: 3 Players to target after first wave of free agency

2 of 4

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles recovers his own fumble in the fourth quarter as Zach Brown #53 of the Washington Redskins defends on October 23, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

ILB Zach Brown

The Washington Redskins released veteran linebacker Zach Brown during the onslaught of free agency in an effort to free up cap space. Coincidentally for the Packers, Brown’s former coach, Kirk Olivadotti, was named Green Bay’s inside linebackers coach on Jan. 24. Olivadotti was Washington’s linebackers coach from 2014-18.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Brown has spent the last two seasons with Olivadotti and the Redskins, so the familiarity is there. He was drafted in the second round by the Tennessee Titans in 2012, but signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2016. Brown was named to his only Pro Bowl with the Bills, along with being a second-team All-Pro. Still, Buffalo elected not to re-sign him, and Brown was off to Washington.

Although the Packers have a reliable starter in the middle in Blake Martinez, Brown would bring a whole new dynamic to Green Bay’s defense. Brown was Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) No. 3 linebacker overall, No. 6 linebacker in run defense and No. 7 linebacker in pass coverage. Martinez is a reliable linebacker, but appears to lack the extra gear to move sideline to sideline.

Brown finished 2018 with 96 total tackles, one pass defensed and one sack. At 29 years old, the Packers likely wouldn’t need to break the bank for his services.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

Home/Green Bay Packers