Story by
2 best players Packers must target during 2026 NFL free agency
- Story by
- 2 best players Packers must target during 2026 NFL free agency
Mandatory Credit: [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
2 best players Packers must target during 2026 NFL free agency appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Green Bay Packers did not make headlines during Day 1 of the legal tampering period before the start of free agency, but that does not mean they won't dive into action shortly. The Packers are probably not going to find the defensive tackle they need because that position is not an area of strength in free agency.
Advertisement
Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is probably the best free agent on the board at this point. However, the Packers have one of the best at that position in the league in Micah Parsons , so bringing in a super-expensive player at the same position is probably not the player that general manager Brian Gutekunst is going to spend the team's free-agent money on.
The Packers have needs on both sides of the ball, but improving the defense may be the best way for the Packers to attack free agency. The division rival Bears and Lions are both explosive teams with big-play quarterbacks, and improving the defense makes quite a bit of sense for Guteknust and head coach Matt LaFleur .
The Packers will certainly have to look for a No. 2 quarterback at some point since Malik Willis has agreed to a deal with the Miami Dolphins , but the Packers could help themselves quite a bit by looking for help in the secondary and at the linebacker spot.
Riq Woolen has the skills to upgrade the secondary
The Packers have more than $14 million in cap space available, but that is a very fluid number that will change dramatically March 11 at the start of the League Year.
Advertisement
Making a move to improve at cornerback is a key need for the Packers, and while they could also use a safety, Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks is an excellent cover man who would give the team a significant upgrade.
Woolen played a key role for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and he would bring a champion's swagger to Lambeau Field.
Woolen played in 16 regular-season games for the Seahawks and he had 12 passes defensed and 1 interception. He also registered 41 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. He also did a solid job for the Seahawks with 4 passes defensed and 8 tackles in Seattle's three postseason games.
Woolen has exceeded expectations since the Seahawks selected him in the 5th round of the 2022 Draft out of Texas-San Antonio. He flashed his talent during his rookie season when he led the league with 6 interceptions, and one of those picks was returned for a touchdown. He also had a career-best 63 tackles that season along with 3 fumble recoveries. Woolen made his only Pro Bowl during his rookie season in 2022.
Advertisement
He has been solid since then, but the team that signs him will be pushing Woolen to get back to his Pro Bowl form.
If the Packers wanted to fire a shot across the bow against their ancient rivals from Chicago , they could make a run at safety Kevin Byard . The Bears dominated the takeaway/turnover table last season and nobody contributed more than Byard. He led the league with 7 interceptions a year ago.
Byard has brilliant instincts on the field — that's what all free safeties need — and he excels in deep coverage. He is also a fine hitter who can make plays all over the field.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd is coming off a sensational season
The Packers can take a swing at Devin Lloyd and hope that the offer they make is good enough to get him into Green Bay colors. Lloyd was quite good during his first three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars , but he was sensational in 2025 and that means he should be able to command an excellent contract.
Advertisement
He combines rare speed with explosive hitting power. The most notable aspect to Lloyd's game is that he can go sideline to sideline in order to make key plays.
Lloyd was a first-round selection out of Utah in 2022 by the Jaguars. He played a key role as the Jaguars earned a spot as the in the playoffs last season as the surprising AFC South champions. The Jaguars were one of the better defensive teams in the league, allowing 19.8 points per game and ranking 8th in that category
Lloyd had 5 interceptions last season, and he returned 1 of those picks 99 yards for a TD. He also had 7 passes defensed, showing off his skills at shutting down the passing game. Lloyd also registered 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss.
It certainly appears that Lloyd is coming into his prime and he can do things in coverage that few other linebackers are able to match. There is little doubt that he would be an excellent asset for the Green Bay defense and he would be able to cause havoc against the Packers' NFC North opponents
Related: Exclusive: Ex-Packers star makes Aaron Rodgers-Brett Favre comparison for Jordan Love
Related: Malik Willis says goodbye to Packers fans after signing with Dolphins
