Green Bay Packers: 5 Bargain targets in 2020 NFL free agency

1. Andrew Billings, DT

The Packers’ run defense was extremely vulnerable this past season, thanks in large part to a lack of sufficient depth on the defensive line. Aside from defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2019, Green Bay doesn’t have a run-stuffing tackle capable of taking on double teams.

Andrew Billings could be an option as a cheap, one-year flier at defensive tackle. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 325 pounds, Billings was drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2016 draft. Originally touted as a potential top-50 selection, Billings unexpectedly fell in the draft. It’s possible teams didn’t value his skill-set as being worthy of a premium pick since he’s mainly a two-down player.

Just 21 years old at the time of being drafted, Billings has started to blossom later in his career. He missed his entire rookie season in 2016 due to a torn meniscus in his knee but had impressive outings the past two seasons. Billings excels in run-defense, posting 43 defensive stops since 2018, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF defines defensive stops as “tackles that constitute a ‘failure’ for the opposing offense”.

Set to turn 25 years old before the start of the 2020 season, Billings is just hitting his stride. The giant run-stuffer would benefit Green Bay’s defense on early downs, but would also take pressure off Clark. Because he’s still somewhat unproven, Billings could be signed on the cheap.