5 Free agents the Green Bay Packers could still pursue

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 10: Cornerback Malcolm Butler #21 of the Tennessee Titans signals to the sidelines during their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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Geno Atkins (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2. WR Golden Tate (Released by New York Giants)

In 2020, Davante Adams caught 115 passes for 1,374 yards and 18 scores for NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. But the second-most grabs by a Green Bay wide receiver was 33, courtesy of both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. So could Brian Gutekunst look for some experience here at an economical price? Veteran T.Y. Hilton would have also been a nice addition here but he’s not leaving Indianapolis courtesy of a one-year, $10 million deal.

But there are other veteran pass-catchers out there and it wasn’t long ago that Golden Tate was running through the secondaries of the NFC North. He’s been a journeyman in recent seasons but the 11-year pro is also playoff savvy.

1. DT Geno Atkins (Released by Cincinnati Bengals)

Back to the defense. In recent seasons, under then-coordinator Mike Pettine, the Packers were pretty adept at getting after opposing quarterbacks. But stopping teams from controlling the football on the ground was certainly a liability. In 2020, Green Bay surrendered 112.8 yards per game on the ground, including 140-plus yards in each of their three regular-season setbacks.

Next. 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency first wave. dark

On the other hand, the Bengals recently released veteran defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who was limited to a career-low eight games this past season due to a nagging shoulder injury and back in December had surgery (via SI.com). He would certainly bolster a front line led by 2016 first-rounder Kenny Clark.

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