The Green Bay Packers are seeking cost-effective methods to strengthen their run defense in the upcoming NFL free agency. There is a former first-round pick, Javon Kinlaw, set to become available on the market, and Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggests that the Packers could be a suitable team to acquire him at a discounted rate. Kinlaw, who had a career-best 3.5-sack season with the San Francisco 49ers, might be a more affordable option due to his late bloomer status in the league.
In his article dated February 1, Knox highlighted the Packers and Dallas Cowboys as potential suitors for Kinlaw, particularly if his limited resume keeps his asking price low. Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that the team’s salary cap situation is expected to improve in the 2024 offseason. Although currently projected to be approximately $2.86 million over the cap by Over the Cap, Gutekunst mentioned potential strategies like veteran cuts, restructures, and contract extensions to create additional cap space. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to seize opportunities in free agency with the improved financial situation.
Javon Kinlaw Took Step Forward for 49ers in 2023
Kinlaw, selected as the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, failed to meet expectations during his initial seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being part of the Super Bowl runner-up defensive line in his rookie year, he faced challenges, including significant injuries that restricted his participation to just 10 games between 2021 and 2022. The 49ers, signaling a potential departure, signed Javon Hargrave and opted not to exercise Kinlaw’s fifth-year option before the 2023 season.
However, Kinlaw experienced a noteworthy resurgence in the 2023 season, displaying improved performance with 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in the regular season, participating in all 17 games. His positive contributions continued into the playoffs with two additional tackles for loss in the 49ers’ postseason victories. Although there were occasional setbacks, he demonstrated growth throughout the season, enhancing his prospects for NFL free agency.
The concern for the Green Bay Packers lies in Kinlaw’s subpar record as a run defender. According to Pro Football Focus, he received a career-low 31.3 grade as a run defender in the 2023 season, ranking as the 15th-worst among the 213 defensive linemen who played at least one snap against the run.
Kinlaw’s struggles against the run were evident in his game footage as well. His slow get-off throughout the 2023 season allowed run blockers to exploit his vulnerabilities, leading to more instances of being overpowered than winning his matchups. Despite recording 15 total defensive stops in his fourth year, these numbers do little to overshadow his limitations in this aspect of the game.
Could Packers Still Roll the Dice on Javon Kinlaw?
Now, while this may not be the most enticing pitch to attract a potential free agent for the Packers, it aligns with Gutekunst’s established approach. Historically, he has demonstrated a tendency to sign players with unrealized potential, often overlooked on practice squads or facing challenges in securing a job due to injury concerns. While this strategy doesn’t always succeed, it has proven effective with players like De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Dogulas.
It’s possible that Kinlaw’s performance in 2023 has increased his market value for his initial foray into NFL free agency. However, if the initial flurry of signings passes without him securing a multi-year contract, there could be an opportunity for Gutekunst and the Packers to explore a cost-effective, one-year deal with the former first-round pick that aligns with their financial constraints. This is the scenario projected by Pro Football Focus in their NFL free agency rankings, suggesting a one-year contract worth $5.5 million with $2.5 million guaranteed.
On the flip side, the Packers possess a substantial amount of draft capital, holding five selections within the first 100 picks. This includes the No. 25 pick in the first round and the New York Jets’ No. 41 pick in the second round. Prospects like Jer’Zhan Newton from Illinois, Byron Murphy II from Texas, Kris Jenkins from Michigan, and Mekhi Wingo from LSU could all be viable options for the team within the 25-to-41 range.
Leave a Reply