B.J. Raji, left, had a solid season for the Packers at nose tackle, an important position in Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense. He finished with 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a half-sack and two passes defensed. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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Green Bay — Twelve months ago, B.J. Raji went in search of his next contract with a biceps injury that wasn't fully healed.

Back in 2013, Raji hit the free-agent market coming off his worst season in the NFL.

Both times, the Green Bay Packers re-signed the mammoth nose tackle on one-year, $4 million deals.

Expect the price tag to go up this March.

Raji, who's been on the roster longer than any other Packers defensive lineman, had a solid, bounce-back season in 2015. Now, Raji figures to have far more suitors than he did the past two seasons.

"I knew I had it in me, but this is a show-me business, this is a show-me league, this is the most popular sport in this country," Raji said. "So I didn't really have a lot to prove to anybody. But I felt like the talent was within me all along, and it was about displaying it, and I believe I did."

The three most important positions in Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers' 3-4 defense have always been a dominant nose tackle, a difference maker at outside linebacker and a high-level cornerback. Capers has often said if he has those parts, he can put together an elite defense — even if the other parts are mediocre.

Raji isn't the dominant force he was during his breakout 2010 season, when he posted 6½ sacks. But Raji is extremely consistent, a terrific anchor against the run, and one of the brightest people and deepest thinkers in Green Bay's locker room.

What does that mean when free agency kicks off in March? Perhaps only Ted Thompson knows.

"The last two years taught me a lot," Raji said. "You really have no idea. I don't think it's the right approach to start thinking, because you really — until my people speak with them up top — you really have no idea what they're thinking. So to assume, it's just wasted energy, wasted thoughts. Once you have some type of idea of, my agent says this, or says that, then it's like OK, now maybe the ball's rolling."

Raji certainly got the ball rolling in the right direction again in 2015.

After a brilliant start to his career — highlighted by an interception and touchdown in the 2010 NFC Championship Game — Raji's career began to backslide.

Raji's play slipped in 2011, then he was miscast as a defensive end in 2012 and '13. Raji was finally moving back to his beloved nose tackle position in 2014, but in Green Bay's third preseason game, he suffered a torn right biceps while trying to make a tackle.

Raji made a full recovery, then opened the 2015 season with a bang.

Raji was dominant in Green Bay's season opener at Chicago, then had his best game of the year in a Week 2 win over Seattle. But Raji suffered a groin injury in Week 5 that knocked him out of the lineup for two weeks and bothered him all season.

Raji began moving better near the end of the season and finished the year with 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a half-sack and two passes defensed.

"He's a real professional on and off the field," Packers defensive end Mike Pennel said. "With his experience and knowledge of the game, of course that makes us better. He's such a talented player, Pro Bowl nose. That's B.J. Raji."

Capers agreed.

"Well, there's no question we're a different defense with B.J. in there," Capers said late in the season. "He can still be disruptive and get after the quarterback. He's been very good against the run. There's no question he makes us better."

It's a solid, but far from spectacular group of potential free agent defensive tackles.

Nick Fairley of the Los Angeles Rams is probably the best of the bunch. Detroit's Haloti Ngata, Seattle's Brandon Mebane and Washington's Terrance Knighton could also command top dollar.

Where Raji — who turns 30 this off-season — fits remains to be seen. But the fact Raji has been through the free-agent process twice now certainly gives him peace of mind.

"Patience, but also, finding out all the information," Raji said of the keys to handling free agency. "Finding out who's really interested, where they see you as, how they plan on using you. Because a lot of times you hear stories about guys are told one thing, and when they get there it's another. And that's what I always wanted to avoid.

"So that's what I weighed. I weighed obviously scheme, what the reputation of the coach is and what the players are saying about them and what previous players say about them."

Packers left end Letroy Guion will also become a free agent. Guion had an up-and-down season that began with a three-game suspension for drug and gun charges, inconsistent play when he returned, then a strong finish.

Guion won't command big money due to his checkered past and an up-and-down, eight-year career. But there seems to be a real loyalty between Guion and Green Bay, making his return possible.

The rest of Green Bay's key pieces up front are all in place, and that's a good thing.

Defensive end Mike Daniels had a sensational season (five sacks, 49 tackles) and was given a four-year, $41 million contract in December. Pennel is an ascending player, while Josh Boyd is expected back from a broken ankle. Datone Jones (three sacks) can also get after the passer, but might be transitioning to outside linebacker from defensive end.

The key, of course, is nose tackle, where Capers needs an anchor. If Raji returns, the unit could be poised for big things in 2016.

"I'm not one for rankings, but I think this is one of the deepest (defensive lines)," Raji said. "You look from starters to guys that are coming in reserve roles, for lack of a better term. I thought we played well, I felt like at times we couldn't be blocked. I feel like we've got a lot of young guys that came in and played well. Whether I'm here or not, I think the future is pretty bright."

This story appeared in Packer Plus Magazine. To subscribe, call 414-224-2222 or go to www.jsonline.com/subscribe.