As the NFL free agency frenzy kicks off, the Green Bay Packers find themselves in a bit of a bind when it comes to filling the nose tackle position. Initially, Khyiris Tonga and Roy Lopez seemed like perfect fits for the Packers, especially considering their reasonable price tags.
However, those options quickly disappeared. Tonga inked a three-year, $21 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Lopez returned to the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.
Monday saw a flurry of activity in the nose tackle market. David Onyemata, ranked 57th on the consensus free agent board, joined the New York Jets.
Sheldon Rankins, at 105th, re-signed with the Houston Texans after playing the position part-time last year. Meanwhile, Tim Settle, coming off foot surgery, found a new home with the Washington Commanders.
So, who’s still available?
In terms of true nose tackles, DJ Reader and DaQuan Jones are among the top remaining options, ranked 64th and 77th, respectively, among the top 200 free agents. Javon Hargrave, ranked 136th, is expected to be released by the Minnesota Vikings soon. He spent last season as a full-time nose tackle in Brian Flores’ scheme, a first in his career, though he previously played under new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia as a three-technique.
Reader posted a solid 68.9 grade on PFF last year, placing him 30th among 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen. Jones boasted an impressive 75.5, ranking 10th, while Hargrave recorded a 68, landing 35th.
With the market heating up, teams have been quick to secure nose tackles during the early stages of the legal tampering period. The position wasn’t deep to begin with, and the demand has been notably higher than for 3-technique tackles.
Following the trade of nose tackle Colby Wooden for linebacker Zaire Franklin, the Packers are left with a glaring need in the middle of their defensive line. Currently, the player with the most returning snaps at nose tackle is 2025 undrafted free agent rookie Nazir Stackhouse. However, with only 88 snaps under his belt and a PFF grade of 42.2, the Packers will need to bolster their options as they head into the new league year.