With the lockout likely over by Thursday, and the chaos of free agency about to begin, the first order of business for the Green Bay Packers is free agency. Here's a recent list of expected unrestricted free agents from Tyler Dunne at JS Online.com, and here are the most notable names on the list:
DE Cullen Jenkins
LG Daryn Colledge
WR James Jones
K Mason Crosby
RB Brandon Jackson
FB/RB John Kuhn
The first thing I'd like to point out that they don't need to re-sign any of these players.
The only two indispensable players on the roster are Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews (the Packers were 0-4 last season in games when either player was injured during or missed due to injury). Last season, with the cascade of injuries, it proved that their roster is so deep that they can afford to lose a few players. With several new draft picks, and them certain to sign a handful of undrafted free agents, they won't leave the roster thin. Based on their past success, some of those late round picks and undrafted free agents are certain to be hidden gems.
The only problematic free agent is Crosby. While not indispensable, there is obviously no one on the roster right now who could replace him. But it wouldn't be too hard to find an adequate kicker in free agency. It probably isn't even an issue because re-signing him is probably their top priority.
I expect they'll re-sign some of these players. And I like something about all of these players, even if it's not essential that they are re-signed.
I'll go in-depth on each free agent throughout the week. What do you think about these guys? Any players they absolutely need to have return in 2011? Anyone that absolutely needs to go?