The 2026 free agency class is shaping up to be quite the spectacle, with Fox Sports unveiling their updated top-100 list. Among the notable names are recent cap casualties like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, both released by the Miami Dolphins. The Green Bay Packers have a strong presence on this list, tying with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks for the most players featured.
Let’s dive into where the Packers' free agents rank and where they might be headed according to Fox Sports:
- #9: Malik Willis, QB - Predicted to join the Dolphins
- #17: Rasheed Walker, T - Expected to land with the Patriots
- #22: Quay Walker, LB - Likely to re-sign with the Packers
- #24: Romeo Doubs, WR - Projected to move to the Eagles
- #95: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE - Also predicted to join the Dolphins
Running back Emanuel Wilson, despite being out-snapped by Chris Brooks in 2025, is highlighted as the fourth-rated restricted free agent. The Packers face a decision: tender Wilson at around $3.5 million for a year or let him become an unrestricted free agent.
The Packers' potential moves in free agency could be intriguing, especially with linebacker Quay Walker being a key player they hope to retain. Fox Sports suggests that Green Bay might also pursue veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, a move that could add both experience and depth to their roster.
Campbell, at 39, continues to defy age with consistent performances, boasting four straight seasons with at least five sacks. His career includes 119 sacks and six Pro Bowl appearances, and he made it to the Super Bowl as a rookie with the Cardinals back in 2008. If he joins a top contender like the Packers, it could be a storybook return to the Super Bowl stage as he turns 40.
The connection between Campbell and the Packers is clear, with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon having previously coached him in Arizona. However, the Packers have a pressing need for a 3-4 nose tackle rather than a 3-4 defensive end. Campbell’s preference for pass-rushing roles, as seen with fewer than 100 snaps at nose tackle last year, might not align with what Green Bay needs after failing to replace Kenny Clark in 2025.
Signing Campbell might lead to strategic moves, such as trading Karl Brooks or Colby Wooden, both entering contract years. While adding Campbell could be seen as a luxury, the Packers have more pressing needs at center, nose tackle, and outside cornerback.
In modern 3-4 defenses, having two three-technique defensive tackles alongside a nose tackle is common. With players like Devonte Wyatt, Brooks, Wooden, and Warren Brinson under contract, the Packers have options at the three-technique position. However, their nose tackle options are less robust, with undersized Wooden, Brinson, Jordon Riley recovering from an Achilles tear, and Nazir Stackhouse, who played limited snaps last year.
If the Packers explore the "defensive lineman played for Gannon" market, they might consider younger, cost-effective options like Khyiris Tonga or Roy Lopez, both solid performers who could fill the nose tackle role without stretching the budget. The free agency market for nose tackles is thin, making strategic signings crucial for the Packers’ defensive line.