As I’m sure you know by now, the Green Bay Packers are stuck in compensatory draft trouble when it comes to free agency (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). As it stands, the Packers will likely receive a third-round pick for losing quarterback Malik Willis, a fourth-round pick for receiver Romeo Dubs, a fifth-round pick for linebacker Quai Walker, and a fifth- or sixth-round pick (which would be the closest pick to date) for tackle Rasheed Walker, who hasn’t fared well on the open market. Assuming Skye Moore’s contract doesn’t offset the Packers’ fourth-highest draft pick (it would be close, but we don’t know the incentive structure yet), the only outright cancellations on paper would be the signing of cornerback Benjamin Saint-Just and the loss of Kingsley Nnagbal (a sixth-round value that the Packers can’t claim anyway, as teams can only claim their four highest-compensation picks in a given cycle).
If you want to understand the nitty-gritty of the compensatory draft system, I tried to provide a full explanation the week before free agency (expecting we would be a pick-protecting team). The Packers certainly aren’t the only team in this situation. The Seattle Seahawks, despite having more cap space and fresh off a Super Bowl title, are also waiting and collecting draft picks. The general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, another 2025 playoff team, has publicly stated that they will not participate in compensatory free agency because they want to acquire fourth- and fifth-round picks.
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However, you can add certain players to your team, but they do not count toward the compensatory selection formula. You can trade for anyone, it won’t affect the formula. Cap casualties do not count toward compensatory free agency, so they are free to sign. We’ve already seen the Packers add defensive tackle Javon Hargrave after he was released due to injury. If you want to keep up with the casualty cap market, we track it here.
In addition to cap casualties, the other three types of free agents do not count in the formula. The first is players with average annual earnings (APY) of less than $2.6 million, as they rarely qualify among the top 32 noncompensatory losses (the NFL caps draft picks at 32 in each class). Below that number, where Moore comes in before incentives, is the sweet spot (and why the specifics of his incentives matter). The calculation of compensatory free agency also ends after the first Monday after the draft (April 27 this year), meaning that if players are still on the market after the draft, Green Bay is free to sign those players for whatever amount the team wants without penalizing them in the 2027 draft.
The final market is non-tendered restricted free agency or exclusive rights free agency. Because their original team had the option to tender them but chose not to do so, they do not count as compensatory free agents. They are now unrestricted free agents, but not compensatory free agents, similar to cap casualties.
Teams trying to retain compensatory draft picks often target these types of players. Just look at this year’s running back market. The Los Angeles Chargers wanted to protect the third-round pick they received from losing pass rusher Odafe Owe, so they paid running back Keaton Mitchell (non-tendered) instead of paying him a compensatory free agent, which would have cost him the pick (as long as they made more than $2.6 million). Remember when Seattle and Jacksonville also protected multiple draft picks? They also signed non-tendered RFAs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Rodriguez Jr., respectively.
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So if Green Bay doesn’t want to wait until April 27 to sign their next free agent, or doesn’t want to push their luck, it makes sense for them to explore this market.
Who are those players? Let’s take a look! Based on RFA/ERFA lists, league trade logs and media reports, here are all the non-tendered players who have become unrestricted free agents but do not count compensatory free agents who are still on the market.
quarterback
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Hendon Hooker, Jets (33 career offensive snaps)
Interestingly, the lone quarterback was former Green Bay Packers guest player Hendon Hooker. He’s been drafted multiple times in recent seasons, so I doubt the Packers are still interested in him, but he’s an option.
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running back
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Kentay Ingram, Chiefs (223 career offensive snaps, 66 special teams snaps)
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Tyler Goodson, Colts (217, 306)
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Denerik Prince, Patriots (0, 15)
Hey, former Green Bay Packers player Tyler Goodson is right there for those looking for a change of pace. As we’ve already covered, the non-tender market is already occupied by other teams looking to add non-compensatory free agents.
receiver
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David Hills, Falcons (949 career offensive snaps, 42 special teams snaps)
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Malik Heath, Falcons (636, 156)
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Cody White, Seahawks (314, 280)
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DJ Montgomery, Colts (174, 73)
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Josh Cyphers, Jaguars (6, 0)
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Bryce Ford-Wheaton, Giants (2, 286)
Bringing back Malik Heath as a practice squad option who can do some of the dirty work like blocking on offense and special teams might make some sense. I think it will be difficult for him to make the 53-man roster this year, but maybe he can play after an injury or something.
tight end
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Tucker Fisk, Chargers (511 career snaps, 179 special teams snaps)
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Blake Whitehart, Browns (454, 364)
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Terry Jackson, commander (223, 129)
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Travis Wakolek, Cardinals (84, 51)
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Mason Plain, Saints (0,0)
Honestly, the only player I recognize on this list is Tyree Jackson, and that’s because he played for the XFL as a quarterback when I was in the league.
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offensive lineman
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Brock Hoffman, Cowboys (1,212 career offensive snaps, 329 special teams snaps)
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Mike Carriendo, Chiefs (723, 185)
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Austin Deculus, Chargers (584, 105)
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Ryan McCollum, Steelers (265, 189)
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Lecitus Smith, Panthers (265, 65)
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Yasir Durant, Patriots (188, 85)
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Luke Tenuta, Colts (35, 45)
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Tyrone Whitley Jr., Falcons (0, 5)
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Obinna Eze, Dolphins (0, 0)
There are actually a fair number of offensive linemen with some experience. I can’t speak to most of their abilities, though. I will say that there are reports that Brock Hoffman signed with a team, but his camp is disputing that, so I’m keeping him on the board.
Also included are two former Packers players: Lecitus Smith and Luke Tenuta.
interior defensive lineman
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Sam Kamara, Browns (564 career defensive snaps, 211 special teams snaps)
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Sam Roberts, Falcons (266, 56)
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Jacqueline Roy, Patriots (237, 63)
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Jacob Slade, Steelers (0, 0)
The one I’m going to focus on here is Jacqueline Roy, who the Packers brought in as a pre-draft visitor. When these guys become available, Green Bay ends up targeting them at a pretty high price. He was placed on injured reserve last August with an undisclosed injury and missed the regular season. In 2023, he is a fifth-round pick.
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edge defender
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Tomon Fox, Giants (621 career defensive snaps, 564 special teams snaps)
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Taron Jackson, 49ers (308, 120)
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Jeremiah Moon, Steelers (244, 390)
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Nick Hampton, Rams (188, 510)
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Aaron Mosby, Packers (169, 495)
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Marquis Watts, Pirates (81, 393)
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Isaiah Eaton, Patriots (0,0)
Aaron Mosby has been a key player on Green Bay’s special teams, but the team has struggled to keep him, a special teams player who barely plays on defense, and Brenton Cox Jr., an edge defender who doesn’t play on special teams, on the roster. I understand the team is moving on from him, even if I still want him back as an emergency option off the practice squad during the break. Mosby ranks fourth on the Packers’ special teams snaps in 2025, despite only being activated to the 53-man roster starting in Week 10.
off ball defender
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Jake Gibbons, Patriots (1,569 career defensive snaps, 747 special teams snaps)
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Mohamed Diabate, Browns (905, 666)
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Byron Spector, Bill (331, 424)
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Cam Jones, Jets (165, 737)
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Anfernee Augie, Titans (146, 353)
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Segun Orubi, Colts (141, 1,095)
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Ben VanSumelen, Eagles (50, 394)
If you need a special teams guy, they’re there. The Packers already have two aces under contract in Nick Niemann and Christian Welch, and Isaiah McDuffie is the returning special teams captain. I’m a little surprised Jack Gibbons is still on the streets.
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cornerback
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Cameron Mitchell, Colts (1,175 career defensive snaps, 419 special teams snaps)
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Nine Blue Kelly, Raiders (661, 72)
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Sam Weber, Browns (487, 222)
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Chase Lucas, 49ers (104, 509)
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Caimon’s Hall, Titan (87, 528)
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Anthony Kendall, Browns (3, 323)
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Eric Scott, Chiefs (0, 0)
Cameron Mitchell, Kyu Blu Kelly and Sam Webb have all played in the NFL, but all had PFF grades below 60 last season. The Packers would be better off competing for the outside cornerback spot through the draft and undrafted free agency.
security
expert
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P Corliss Waitman, Steelers (456 career special teams snaps)
Daniel Whelan is not going anywhere.
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Of the names that remain, I think the Packers would be interested in defensive lineman Jacqueline Roy (formerly on the road) or possibly bring back an old friend like receiver Malik Heath or tackle Luke Tenuta as injury insurance.