The Green Bay Packers are approaching free agency in 2025 with no priority free agents, plenty of salary cap space and a need to add veteran talent to a young, cheap and ascending roster.
One year after signing safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs in free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst is in a position to make another splash in 2025.
Until free agency, Packers Wire will run through potential options, continuing today with defensive tackle Milton Williams, in an attempt to identify the pros and cons of each potential target for Gutekunst.
Williams, a 2021 draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, figures to be one of the most coveted free agents of the cycle.
Let’s dig into the pros and cons of the Packers going after Williams:
Pros
— Williams was a key contributor to the Eagles’ dominant pass rush in 2024. He finished with 5.0 sacks and a career-high 40 quarterback pressures, which ranked 19th among defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
— Williams will only be 26 in April. He’s an ascending player who maybe hasn’t reached his full potential, especially when you consider he was a rotational player in Philadelphia.
— Williams had a significant impact in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, registering four tackles, four pressures, and two sacks, including a strip-sack against Patrick Mahomes.
— Pass-rush is an obvious need for Green Bay this offseason, and Williams would provide an immediate boost.
— Williams’ 17.7 percent pass rush win rate would have ranked first on the Packers this season, per PFF.
— Williams best projects as a three-tech but is alignment versatile and can remain impactful filling a variety of roles along the defensive line.
— Williams was regarding an exceptional athlete coming out of Louisiana Tech, posting a 9.96 RAS during his pre-draft testing.
— At 6-3, 290 lbs, Williams demonstrates the necessary play strength to match his muscular frame. Even when double-teamed, he was rated as an above-average pass rusher.
— Williams possesses exceptional hand usage, a good understanding of leverage, and a quick first step to make him an imposing pass rusher.
— Has missed only one game due to injury (concussion).
https://twitter.com/BCarwile_NFL/status/1889019350872395991/video/1
Cons
— Williams has played 67 games in his career but only started in 19 of those games. He has also never played more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps. For as much upside as Williams has, he’s never been a full-time starter.
— Williams logged a career-low 24 total tackles in 2024.
— While Williams has shined as a pass rusher, his run defense leaves something to be desired. PFF gave him a 43.1 run-defense grade this season. If Williams can’t contribute more in the run game, he will continue to be a situational player.
— Former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt has been Green Bay’s primary pass-rushing three-tech over the past two seasons and is coming off a breakout year. You can’t help but wonder if it would hurt Wyatt’s development or if there wouldn’t be enough snaps to go around if they brought in Williams.
— Williams benefitted from playing next to elite talent like Jalen Carter. The Packers don’t have as much talent as the Eagles, which makes you wonder if Williams can be “the guy.” Kenny Clark has been that guy for the Packers but is coming off a down year and is set to turn 30 next season.
— Building off the previous point, the team needs to start thinking about finding a replacement for Clark, seeing that 2025 may be his last season in Green Bay. Clark has been an every-down player for the Packers, but given Williams’ struggles in the run game, he may not be up for the task.
— Spotrac projects Williams’ next contract to carry a $12 million average annual salary, but that estimate can probably be tossed aside. Williams could command as much as $20 million per year on the open market, putting him among the top 15 highest-paid DTs. Are the Packers willing to pay that much for an interior pass-rush specialist?
— Williams has expressed interest in re-signing with the Eagles. It takes two to tango, but Green Bay may not even get the chance to make an offer.