Free Agency Preview: Rasul Douglas

Over the next several weeks, I will analyze each of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2021 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, projecting possible contract terms, and making a prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2022.

Next up in the series, Rasul Douglas was signed off Arizona’s practice squad in early October. He went on to lead the Packers with five interceptions. Will he be rewarded with a big new contract that keeps him in Green Bay moving forward?


Season In Review

This rags-to-riches story was so unrealistic that even Hollywood executives would’ve passed on the script. Douglas was released by two teams in the span of eight days before joining the Cardinals’ practice squad on Sept. 3. Four months later, he was one of the Packers’ top-3 defensive players heading into the postseason. The former West Virginia star saved narrow wins against Arizona and Cleveland with late interceptions, and his passer rating against of 46.3 was No.1 in the entire league. The 209-pound Douglas also added much-needed toughness and swagger to his side of the ball.

Why Packers Should Re-sign Him

In today’s pass-happy NFL, a defense can never have too many quality cornerbacks, and with Douglas, All-Pro Jaire Alexander, and Eric Stokes, the  Packers would be as deep and as talented at the position as any team in the league. For the past couple of seasons, opposing quarterbacks enjoyed plenty of success targeting journeyman Chandon Sullivan on third down. Replacing him with Douglas would eliminate a weak link and make completing passes much more difficult.

Why Packers Should Let Him Walk

Because of his age (26) and the scarcity of quality corners in the league, Douglas won’t be cheap to re-sign, and based on his career before last season, there has to be some concern that he’s a one-year wonder. He had stretches of good weeks with Philadelphia and Carolina, but he never put together a stretch of good months like he did in Green Bay. Is he simply a late bloomer, or was 2021 a fluke? That’s the question all GMs, including Brian Gutekunst, will have to answer.

What A Contract Might Look Like

$22 million/3 years ($13M guaranteed)


Prediction

Unless quarterback Aaron Rodgers and/or wide receiver Davante Adams are traded, it’s difficult to imagine the Packers having the salary cap space to keep both Douglas and De’Vondre Campbell. In fact, they might not be able to keep either. But if given a choice, the guess here is that retaining an All-Pro inside linebacker will take precedence over a No. 3 corner.

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Michael Rodney

Packers Notes is the creation of Michael Rodney, who has been writing about the Green Bay Packers for over 30 years. His first blog, Packer Update, hit the internet in 2004. Before becoming a public educator, Rodney worked as a journalist for a couple of newspapers in his home state of New Jersey and covered the Philadelphia Eagles for WTXF-TV. He's had numerous articles on the Packers published, and he's been featured on both television and radio over the years.

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Dave
Dave
March 1, 2022 12:38 pm

Don’t the same concerns over being a one year wonder apply to Campbell?

Dave
Dave
Reply to  Michael Rodney
March 1, 2022 1:07 pm

Who do you think is the Packers closest comparison(if any) at ILB in recent history to the way Campbell played from ’16-’20?

Eric
Eric
March 1, 2022 12:45 pm

I would be absolutely stunned if they re-signed Douglas. Great story for the year but they don’t have room for another outside corner. Assuming Jaire gets fully healthy they should have one of the best corner duos in the league. They still really need an inside slot guy. Too bad Douglas doesn’t fit that mold.

Craig
Craig
March 1, 2022 1:24 pm

Trading Rodgers and Adams is probably the only way to keep both Campbell and Douglas.

I’d like to see the Packers play more like the 49ers in the future. Strong defense and running game, and a steady QB who runs LaFleur’s offense. I think that’s the road back to the Super Bowl as opposed to paying two older players $75 million a year and surrounding them with a weaker roster.

Me
Me
March 1, 2022 4:10 pm

Douglas not our best CB. Campbell is our best ILB. Choice is easy.

Bryan
Bryan
March 1, 2022 10:58 pm

As good as 12 and 17 are, I would almost take the picks we would get in a trade and keep Douglas/Campbell.

Damn. How did we not win this thing last year?

Devon
Devon
March 2, 2022 5:50 pm

Some team will overpay for Douglas. He’s still young and coming off a Pro Bowl caliber season. That might be worth $10 million a year to a GM whose team is desperate for corners and has a lot of cap space.

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