Green Bay Packers: 5 Realistic free agents still available to target
By Joe Kipp
4. Alec Ogletree, LB
The Packers allowed Blake Martinez to walk away and sign with the New York Giants this offseason, leaving a giant hole in the middle of their defense. For all of Martinez’s faults, he was still a reliable player and the signal-caller of Mike Pettine’s defense. Martinez finished second in the NFL in tackles (155) in 2019 and was a valuable locker room presence.
Green Bay would essentially swap with the Giants by signing linebacker Alec Ogletree, who was cut by New York earlier this offseason. After already signing Christian Kirksey earlier this week, who was cut by the Cleveland Browns, the Packers still have minimal depth at linebacker. Oren Burks is largely unproven and Ty Summers is a core special teamer at this point.
A first-round draft choice by the Los Angeles Rams back in 2013, Ogletree was traded to the Giants in 2018. Still just 28 years old, he’d provide serviceable depth for a Packers defense lacking veterans at the linebacker position.
Though he’s not exceptional in any one area, Ogletree would be a solid backup behind Kirksey and could be a contributor on special teams. Additionally, he’s been a solid veteran presence in the locker room in both Los Angeles and New York during his first eight years in the league. A cheap two-year, $8 million deal could be enough to sway Ogletree.