The Green Bay Packers started the free agency process with 17 free agents among unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive-rights ones. Three more joined the group as street free agents, since the Packers released running back Aaron Jones, left tackle David Bakhtiari, and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.

From the initial group, the Packers have re-signed eight players, including five unrestricted and three exclusive-rights free agents: running back AJ Dillon, cornerback and kickoff returner Keisean Nixon, tight end Tyler Davis, cornerback Corey Ballentine, off-ball linebacker Kristian Welch, running back Emanuel Wilson, punter Daniel Whelan, and offensive tackle Caleb Jones.

From the unrestricted free agents, only three signed deals elsewhere: safety Darnell Savage (Jacksonville Jaguars), guard Jon Runyan (New York Giants), and safety Jonathan Owens (Chicago Bears). Aaron Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Excluding Bakhtiari and Campbell, who won't be back, there are six Packers free agents still available. All are unrestricted now, since Green Bay didn't tender running back Patrick Taylor and cornerback Robert Rochell.

Players still available:

• TE Josiah Deguara
• T Yosh Nijman
• S Rudy Ford
• LB Eric Wilson
• RB Patrick Taylor
• CB Robert Rochell

Who can be back

For the Packers, the player among the group who makes the most sense is safety Rudy Ford. He played 56.35% of the defensive snaps last season, and even though Green Bay signed Xavier McKinney in free agency, the team also lost Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens.

Therefore, not only the Packers need depth, they need a starter. Ford is probably not an ideal starting option, but he is a viable one. He had a 69.9 PFF grade in 2023.

Right now, the starting safety alongside McKinney is second-year seventh-rounder Anthony Johnson Jr.

Yosh Nijman is an interesting option as well. The coaching staff showed some concerns about his approach last year, though.

"Right now, he's a backup tackle for us," Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said in September. "That's where he's at and football is a very competitive sport and some guys rise to that competition and some guys don't, so that's basically what I have to say about that."

However, when David Bakhtiari got hurt, Nijman became the swing tackle. Throughout the season, he received chances alternating with Rasheed Walker, and finished the year with 21% of the offensive snaps.

With Bakhtiari released, the Packers are not as deep at tackle. Right now, behind Walker and Zach Tom, the options are Luke Tenuta, Caleb Jones, and Kadeem Telfort.

Eric Wilson is another option. He's been an efficient special teamer, and if the Packers can bring him back for something close to the veteran minimum, there's little reason not to do it.

Josiah Deguara, Patrick Taylor, and Robert Rochell could be back as bottom of the roster type of players, but if they sign elsewhere, the impact will be limited anyway.

Packers make another surprising move at running back

It’s an unusual move in the NFL world