The Green Bay Packers went on a spending spree during the second day of the pre-free agency legal tampering period.
The Packers signed outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos and versatile offensive lineman Billy Turner.
Although each contract looks to be a fair value given the talent level of each player, one signing appears to be the best value from the Packers’ standpoint.
At least, that’s what Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner believes. He labeled the Packers’ signing of Amos as the best value deal of free agency so far.
“Amos has been one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL and looks like a building block for a budding secondary in Green Bay,” Renner wrote.
Amos, who signed a four-year, $37 million contract with $11 million guaranteed, is now the NFL’s 10th highest paid safety – at least, until Earl Thomas signs a new deal, in which case, Amos will almost certainly fall one spot.
Regardless, Amos is a bargain for what the Packers appear to be getting in return. With Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu both signing new deals worth $14 million annually, Amos’ yearly average of $9.25 million pales in comparison.
As for what he brings to the field, Amos is a versatile safety who can hover around on the back end of the secondary as a free safety or maneuver inside the box as a roaming strong safety hybrid. He’s a solid tackler, effective against the run and reliable in coverage, with interchangeability at the position.
According to PFF, Amos lined up as a free safety on 62.5 percent of his snaps last season and has lined up there on 58.7 percent of snaps for his career.
Second-year defensive coordinator Mike Pettine should have plenty of fun moving around Amos as a do-it-all chess piece. Amos had 73 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups in 16 starts. He also had an interception in Chicago’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Eagles.
