4. Green Bay Packers sign DL Muhammad Wilkerson
The definition of a high-upside value play, a one-year $5 million deal for a two-time All-Pro could end up being a steal for the Packers who reunite Wilkerson with the coach who turned him into a line-eating monster with the Jets.
Mike Pettine coached the 28-year-old defensive linemen in New York and after Pettine left, an injury and attitude problems dogged Wilkerson. He never regained his explosive first step or his heavy hands, a product of both conditioning and the injury itself.
But Wilkerson starting his visits in Green Bay with Pettine suggest he’s motivated to change, understanding he needs a new home and a coach who understands how to maximize his talents.
Even if Mo never regains his double-digit sack form, he’s the ideal fit at five-technique for Pettine’s scheme and will be a stout run defender on a defense that already boasted a top-10 unit.
He doesn’t have to change Green Bay’s life rushing the passer, just be a consistently disruptive force and free up guys like Nick Perry and Clay Matthews to make plays. It’s hard to imagine a better three-man front in football than Wilkerson with Mike Daniels and the emerging Kenny Clark. That’s three Pro Bowl talents in one group.