Cheese Curds: Packers turn Nelson’s contract into cap hits for Graham and Wilkerson

When the 2017 free-agency period began earlier this month, the Green Bay Packers possessed around $20 million in available cap space. After reeling in big-name players like Jimmy Graham and Muhammad Wilkerson, the Packers’ cap space currently sits at … around $20 million. That lack of change comes, of course, due to the team’s difficult decision to release longtime wideout Jordy Nelson.

Salary-cap swap: Jimmy Graham plus Mo Wilkerson equals Jordy Nelson | ESPN

Graham and Wilkerson’s 2018 cap hits come in at approximately $5.7 million and $4.9 million respectively, less than the $12.5 million Nelson would have counted against the salary cap had the Packers not released him last week. The additional savings from Nelson, along with the falling market for the remaining players on the market, should results in Green Bay adding at least one more free agent this offseason. This underscores an inescapable truth in the NFL: No player’s job is ever truly secure, or at least not secure for long.

StaTuesday: Graham puts previous Packers tight ends to shame | Fox Sports Wisconsin

Even if the Packers didn’t sign Graham at his apex, the free-agent tight end could realistically leave a mark on the franchise record book before his contract expires. Only once has a Green Bay tight end surpassed 800 receiving yards in a season. Graham reached 923 yards just two seasons ago while working within an offense that didn’t always focus on him. Graham could ultimately prove to be a flop given his age and injury history, but his upside deserves as much mention at this point in the process.

After losing out on Kyle Fuller, should Packers make a (Davon) House call? | Wisconsin State Journal

Yes, the article has a terrible title, but the idea of the Packers returning Davon House has some merit. House battled injuries for nearly all of the 2017 season, but if healthy could play a meaningful role for a team that traded away its top cornerback already this offseason. Green Bay almost certainly will use one of its top picks on a defensive back, but that addition alone can’t solve the issues in the secondary. House, perhaps in a reduced capacity, might help.

Bellin not ready to cut ties with former Packers WR Jordy Nelson | Green Bay Press-Gazette

While Packers fans will have to turn on the Oakland Raiders to see Jordy Nelson this season, they can still see him during local television ads this season.