Packers Adding Bashaud Breeland is a Smart Move

Green Bay Packers are not staying put. After a 31-17 loss which saw the team have multiple injuries on defense, they’re adding a big-time cornerback. Bashaud Breeland joins Green Bay and immediately makes this secondary better. Breeland had a good year in Washington on the other side of Josh Norman and had a three-year 24 million dollar deal revoked in July when he failed a physical due to a foot injury. Breeland is now healthy, and he can make an immediate impact on the Packers back end of their defense. This is a savvy, smart move by Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.
From @PFF on new #Packers CB Bashaud Breeland: Allowed 49.3 completion percentage and a passer rating of just 75.6 against his coverage in 2017.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 25, 2018
Breeland played really well last year, and he will likely take over one of the outside corner spots in Kevin King’s absence. Even if King returns, I expect Breeland to see a lot of snaps in a rotation with Jaire Alexander, Tramon Williams and Josh Jackson. He’s a massive upgrade to Davon House who will be placed on injured-reserve with a shoulder injury. Breeland is big enough to play on the outside at 6 feet and played a role in Washington finishing number six in passing DVOA last season.
There are those who wonder ‘What about a safety?’ I hear you. We’ll see if Gutekunst discusses the signing with the media, and if he does, will a reporter ask about Eric Reid? The controversial safety who is currently suing the league and getting back-balled by the owners. Will Reid’s name get brought to anyone? Maybe Mike McCarthy. Packers have not addressed their safety issues with the struggles of Kentrell Brice at the moment. They could shift Williams to the free safety position and move Brice off the field. Even if they did that, Reid would still be another considerable upgrade.
At least Packers cannot say Gutekunst doesn’t try to make his team better in various ways. He did it in the offseason and continuing to do it during the regular season.