The Green Bay Packers rumors are beginning to fly and one rumor is that they could target tight end Dwayne Allen in 2016 NFL free agency. Adding another tight end is a need for the Packers and Allen would make a lot sense for their offense.
Allen is set to hit free agency after a very tough start to his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. He dealt with injury issues all the time, but in the games where he was completely healthy he looked very good. Indianapolis likely won't re-sign him, which leaves the Packers in a position to make a move for him.
Throughout the course of the 2015 season, Allen ended up catching just 16 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. His entire year was plagued with injuries, which could scare quite a few teams away in free agency. He is just 25 years old, which leaves him plenty of time to turn his career around.
Richard Rodgers was the Packers' starting tight end throughout the entire 2015 season, which wasn't terrible, but certainly isn't an ideal situation for a team with Super Bowl hopes.
Aaron Rodgers is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and adding a piece like Allen could help him out in a big way as well. Rodgers isn't nearly as quick as Allen is and his hands aren't as good as Allen's either.
Green Bay has plenty of money to spend in free agency and this is the offseason that Ted Thompson must spend money. Allen may not end up being a star, but he has the talent to be a great member of the supporting cast. It is very likely that he could be signed for $2 million or less this offseason, which makes him an even better target for the Packers.
Looking ahead at the coming offseason, Allen is going to have a few other teams interested as well.
If the Packers want to bring Allen on board, they are going to have to be aggressive. He would like to join a team that he can compete for a Super Bowl with, but still have a big role in the offense. That can happen in Green Bay and he would likely take a bit of a discount in order to sign with them.
Expect to see the Packers look at signing free agents this offseason more than they have in years past. Allen is a definite piece that they should target and it'll be interesting to see if he ends up being one.
