Green Bay Packers: 5 Early 2020 free agent targets
By Joe Kipp
5. Joe Schobert, LB
With Blake Martinez set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020, it remains to be seen what route the Packers could take at inside linebacker. Historically, the team has never valued the position, and Martinez has never been overly impressive. Put that together, and it seems unlikely the Packers would re-sign him.
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The biggest conundrum is whether Martinez will command more than his perceived worth. Martinez, who currently leads the NFL in tackles (140) this season with two games to go, could price himself out of Green Bay, especially since the Packers have a few other key free agents to potentially re-sign (i.e. Kenny Clark, Bryan Bulaga, Mason Crosby, Allen Lazard, and others).
Enter current Cleveland Browns linebacker Joe Schobert as a potential free-agent target this offseason. A former Wisconsin Badger, Schobert is all too familiar with Green Bay and could be eager to return to the area. The Browns appear to have no intention of re-signing him, which means Schobert should be available on the open market this coming spring.
Schobert started his career as a core special teams player, making a Pro Bowl in 2017. He’s having the best season of his career in 2019, already with four interceptions, 116 tackles (79 solo), six tackles for losses and two forced fumbles with two games remaining. Schobert is an ideal target if the Packers elect to part ways with Martinez.