It’s tough to win in the NFL when you pay your quarterback big money. That’s proven. The task becomes even taller when you’re a team that also decides to pay your running back big money. That’s what the Green Bay Packers did on Monday, when they announced they will re-sign Aaron Jones to a four-year contract, which will likely be a two-year deal once everything is all said and done.
Nearly everyone in Packer Nation rejoiced at the move, since Jones is a talented running back and an overall great individual, which makes it easy to root for him. However, after drafting A.J. Dillon in the second round last season, it seems unneeded for the Packers to spend big money on a player that fills the same role. It’s even more concerning when you figure in neither can pass protect, the highest-paid offensive tackle is out injured, the Packers released their starting right tackle and Marcedes Lewis, one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, is also in the NFL Free Agency market.
But I digress. The move has been completed and there’s no fixing the mistake. Would you go back in time and kill baby Hitler? I would. And I also would have signed any of these three free agents instead of giving Aaron Jones a new contract.
Free Agents the Packers Should’ve Signed Instead of Aaron Jones
William Jackson III, CB
We’ll start with the player who will likely be among the biggest steals of free agency. William Jackson III has a weakened market value because he played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Spotrac has given Jackson an estimated market value of $6.3M, which likely means we could’ve signed both him and Jamaal Williams for the same money as Jones.
Despite playing for a poor team, Jackson performed damn well last season. He allowed a catch rate of just 52.2% and broke up five passes. Remember, teams were able to run the ball on Cincinnati, so passing situations weren’t exactly common. He also totaled 14 defensive stops, proving to be a solid tackler and playmaker.
Xavier Rhodes, CB
We could have brought Xavier Rhodes back to the NFC North to face a Vikings team twice that thought he wasn’t worth keeping around. He proved otherwise last season for the Indianapolis Colts.
Rhodes had a massive bounce back season, totaling 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and seven defensive stops. Best of all, he allowed only a 51.3% catch rate. That would be nice opposite of Jaire Alexander, huh?
Spotrac gives Rhodes an estimated market value of $7.3M. This is cheaper than Jones, but likely out of budget now.
Corey Davis, WR
If for some reason you do not think the Packers should upgrade the secondary, fine. While I personally believe the Packers wide receiver corps is good enough, especially if they draft someone decent in the first few rounds, let’s please and talk about the possibility of a free agent wide receiver: Corey Davis.
Davis is coming off his best season as a pro, totaling 984 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games. Realistically, last season was the first time in his entire life that he was not the top receiving weapon on a team, and he thrived in that secondary role. With the Packers, he would be in a similar situation, playing alongside the best receiver in the league.
Matt LaFleur has experience with Davis with the Titans, and he possesses the big frame (6’3″) that LaFleur loves. He also is expected to garner a very similar market value to what Jones was given.
