Green Bay Packers: 5 Budget free agents to target for 2021
By Joe Kipp
4. Denzel Perryman, LB
Everyone knows the Packers haven’t had a strong inside linebacker since AJ Hawk or Nick Barnett. Blake Martinez was serviceable, especially when considering the fact that he was a fourth-rounder, but the team felt comfortable enough letting him walk in free agency this past season.
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The Packers then selected Kamal Martin in the fifth round of the 2020 draft and signed Krys Barnes as an undrafted free agent. Both rookies had their ups and downs, but Barnes impressive near the end of the season. Additionally, veteran Christian Kirksey was signed to be the team’s mike linebacker, but he was released last month as a cap casualty.
Denzel Perryman makes sense as a potential budget signing. Perryman spent his first six seasons with the Chargers, but it appears he won’t be re-signed. A classic two-down linebacker, Perryman is an ideal run-stopper who excels at crashing downhill. He had an 86.3 run defense grade from PFF this past season (subscription required). While he isn’t strong in coverage, he’s not a huge liability, either.
Perryman would be a nice depth signing with Green Bay’s lack of experience at inside linebacker. The only potential downside (and a major reason he might be cheap) is that he’s somewhat injury-prone. Perryman has never played a full 16-game season in his career.