This off-season, the Green Bay Packers have carried on bringing in a new era. The Packers brought in Josh Jacobs (26), Xavier McKinney (24), and Aaron Jones (29), while also making the difficult decisions to let go of David Bakhtiari (32).
Brian Gutekunst made it plain that he would be open to adding seasoned players, even if this squad has an amazing amount of talent coming into it that bodes well for an exciting future. It turns out that this Packers defence may benefit much from the experience of one veteran.
In 2019 the Packers doubled dipped at the edge rusher position with Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith when it was a glaring need. With the signing of Xavier McKinney, the Packers could do something similar at Safety in 2024.
However, the draft is a very realistic option for the Packers to address Safety as well. The Packers have been linked to multiple Safeties in early rounds for the 2024 Draft including Tyler Nubin, Kamren Kinchens, or Calen Bullock.
“Simmons may attract a high-dollar contract. But if that offer does not arrive, the Green Bay Packers would be a compelling option, even after the addition of Xavier McKinney,” writes Kenyon.
A starting combination of Simmons and McKinney would give the Packers a huge upgrade on what they’ve had in recent years. They could take the secondary to another level alongside Jaire Alexander.
Simmons can play as the single-high safety or in the box, offering the versatility to help the Packers across the secondary.
The Packers need to force more turnovers, having only intercepted seven passes last season, the second-lowest total in the league. Simmons can help—he has made at least three interceptions for six consecutive seasons, including five in 2020, five in 2021, and six in 2022. Last year, Simmons defended eight passes with three interceptions.
Simmons has earned second-team All-Pro honors three years in a row and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time last season.
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