Mike Neal is one of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents who is officially on the open market as of Tuesday afternoon. Credit: Mark Hoffman

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Several NFL executives in personnel were asked by the Journal Sentinel in the last week to evaluate the Green Bay Packers' unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents and players that failed to receive a minimum tender.

Free agency officially opened at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Here are excerpts from the scouts' remarks:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (16)

Kahlil Bell, RB: "Well, he's been around the league a little bit. If you need a veteran backup then there he is. I don't know if you rush out and get somebody like that."..."Just the veteran minimum."..."Journeyman reserve. Bottom of the depth chart. Short list candidate for the fall."

Evan Dietrich-Smith, C: "Do they have another center? There you go. I don't think you want Aaron Rodgers taking snaps from a guy (JC Tretter) who they don't know anything about. That doesn't sound like a good combination to me. He's just OK as a starter. You don't have to be great at that position. You just have to be OK. Now he probably just wants to see what's out there."..."He's put together a nice little career after an inauspicious start. He's done some pretty good things. There's not a lot of centers. All you need is two teams. I think he has a chance to make out all right. He could get to ($4 million per year). That's just how crazy the market for linemen is. There will be some guys that barely survived the year and became free agents that probably will make more than that just because of supply and demand, I guess."..."Ideally, he'd be your sixth or seventh dressed O-linemen. He could start when he has to. Centers don't need to be especially talented. You can get away with smart, dependable, instinctive guys who know how to call out the fronts and can play with angles. He fell into a starting role. Compared to his peers in the league, I don't see him as a bona fide starter. If he's starting for you, you're always going to want better."

Jermichael Finley, TE: "That's all in the hands of the doctors realistically. There still are a lot of inconsistencies in his play but you like what he can do just from a natural talent standpoint. But he's hurt, he's inconsistent. If they don't try to bring him back knowing what he is that will be somewhat of a telltale. I would think it would be (one-year minimum contract). He's too talented for people not to want to give him a look. It all comes down to what the different doctors say."..."It almost sounds like he'd be a one-year deal. It depends how confident you are that the surgery is going to be a success. I'm sure there will be somebody that will say he's going to be fine, we've checked with our doctors and done all the background and they say it's a non-factor. Therefore, they may ante up and do a multi-year deal. But I think anybody's that smart almost has to do a one-year deal. Show us that you're good to go and then go from there."..."If proven healthy and someone was looking for a pass catcher, he'd be a consideration. But he is not a fully dimensional, fully equipped tight end. You've got to have a role, a vision for him. If you look at the way Jared Cook played at St. Louis and is used that way, OK. But he is not giving you anything in the running game. Some of that is want-to. Medically, you're going to have to be creative. If you have the ability to reward as you go, that would be the best business practice."

Matt Flynn, QB: "He's done pretty well in the free-agent market but he probably needs to stay where he's at this time, if he's smart. I don't see any team rushing out to give him more money. He's collected a lot of checks by not playing. I think guys would be scared of him." … "The only place he does well is there. I think they're the only ones that should be paying him. He'll be there until he out-prices himself." … "System player. Being in the right scheme will be important. His days of being a starter are done. Probably will get better than average backup money. I don't see him in that Matt Moore class, that Kyle Orton class. I see him a notch below. Maybe $2 million a year."

Rob Francois, ILB: "His role was special teams. If they like him and he can stay, he probably should stay." ... "That would be a one-year minimum deal just to get back in the mix and prove I'm healthy." … "I didn't watch him because of that (torn Achilles)."

Johnny Jolly, DE: "What's the deal with all those (cervical) fusions there? They stuck by him through all of his other stuff. I don't know where else he would go and do better than what he's done. I mean, they really stuck by him. He got better as the year went on. It'd be tough for him to get a look somewhere else. He's 31, too." … "He's obviously had a tough go of it. Getting his life back on track. Nonetheless, there's always the red flags and the medical situation doesn't help. If they want him back, that might be the best place for him." … "I haven't watched him. Between the medical and the character issues of the past, at the very best he's probably on every team's ready list. In the summer, if you have to go get a guy to maybe two-gap for you, maybe you reconsider. He's got some inside run qualities."

James Jones, WR: "Very productive receiver. If somebody needs a consistent playmaker then he'll probably have a pretty good market. It's not a great year to be a free-agent receiver. But for a guy like him, whose play has only gotten better, there will be a market because you never hear anything about him except he makes plays." … "He's had pretty good production and could be attractive in a lot of people's offense. He wouldn't be the No. 1 receiver but he'd certainly have a role." … "They draft well and replace well. Somebody will pay him as a possession receiver. Can play outside and inside. He won't bring a lot of juice. He can move the chains and be somewhere between a third and second receiver. If you had speed opposite him that would be a good tandem."

John Kuhn, FB: "He definitely needs to stay where he is. Not a lot of teams use that position, first of all. He's a fan favorite. So, why not? They'll probably do more than that (minimum salary) just because he does a lot for that team." … "There's not a big market for a fullback with all the spread offenses. You're almost better off taking the best offer you can from your team and keep on marchin'." … "Journeyman. The position is a dying breed. Jack of all trades. Gives you some rush, some block, some pass catch, some special teams. Age (31) is a little bit of an issue. Looking at a little bit above the minimum."

Mike Neal, OLB-DL: "The guy might have a market just because the guy can do so many things athletically. He made some plays for them. He probably should stay. The reality is, most teams took guys because of what they do. I doubt he gets Erik Walden's money with Indy (four years, $16 million). Walden was better setting the edge. I don't see him being a starter. His size doesn't put him in any category." … "He'll be interesting because he's got versatility. Maybe he's not (signed) the first day but people will start figuring out he's a pretty good catch. He'll receive some attention. He can do a variety of things. Nowadays, $4 (million) a year is not an unusual starting point." … "Little bit of a tweener. In a 3-4, I like the athlete and the physical potential as an outside backer. What concerns me are his triggers and recognition skills, and ability to shed and get off blocks. He's a strong player. I think he can play on his feet. He runs well and has range. I like the idea that in sub he can contribute inside or off the edge. I just did not think he got off blocks as well as you hope. I don't see him getting Walden money. I don't think a team will pay him as an outright starter. They'd pay him maybe as a good backup and reward him if he becomes a starter."

Marshall Newhouse, T: "Because the guy is athletic and he does have a history of being a starter some people will probably give him a look. Just because there aren't enough O-linemen with experience, that will get him a look. I just don't know how much he'll get for his look. He's OK as a backup. It doesn't look like he's improved." … "He wasn't as productive as you would have liked. He should probably take the quickest deal as soon as possible. He goes some place where he's a swing tackle." … "He's got starting experience but he's a sixth, seventh O-lineman. He looks like a guard but I didn't like him at guard the few snaps I've seen. He's a (small) tackle."

Ryan Pickett, NT: "Age (34) comes into play with him. I think he's still good enough. His best value lies where he's at. He knows the system. He's been a leader for them." … "I don't see there being a heavy market. If anything, I see him heading back to Green Bay and trying to get in another year." … "Aging veteran. Two-down player. Potential 3-4 nose or 4-3 (nose) but lack of third-down value will bring down his market. He's a one- or two-year stopgap, inside-run stuff type. I could see one year at a $1.5 (million) to $2 million deal."

Andrew Quarless, TE: "He should stay right where he's at. He's a jack of all trades for them. I'm not sure he can be for some other people. Maybe he can. He's not a (blocker) and he's not really a dynamo receiver, either." … "He had the knee two years ago. He used to be a pretty blocker. He got better as the year progressed. I wouldn't see him as a front-liner but most people would have a role for a guy like that." … "Has starting tools. Average in the run game. Inconsistent as a receiver. He can be at least a contributing No. 2 tight end. Physically, he looks like a strong-side player but he's more weak side."

B.J. Raji, DE: "He's still young enough (27) to go somewhere else and make a big splash. For what they do on defense he should be the kingpin but his play didn't merit it this year. Unfortunately for him. I'm not sure how much money he could command because he didn't play real well. I wonder if he was at times almost playing not to get hurt and wait until he got the next deal. I'm not sure what was going on with him." … "He can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3. Disappointing when you threw the tape on in terms of pass rush. He has starting potential and ability but underproduced regardless of job description. A team will be teased by his potential and talent. He could be a two-down potential starter. If he gave up the money ($8 million a year) that was reported, that was a big mistake. That money won't be there for him now." … "If people think he has some juice like a couple years ago, I think it stays consistent in that $6 million area. I think he still gets a hefty pay day. Management at most places would like it to be around $4 million, and agents would like for it to be a little bit higher. You just wait for the first shoe to drop and see who sets the market."

James Starks, RB: "Well, he stayed healthy this year. Historically, he hasn't. Maybe he has a little market but I doubt it. He makes a pretty good combination with (Eddie) Lacy. It'd be hard for a running back who has been hurt to go somewhere else." … " He's not going to be the starter and may not even be the No. 2 at times. He'll probably be the veteran backup at almost a minimum type deal." … "Downhill, inside runner. One cut. Good in a zone scheme. Not a dynamic receiver. He'll catch it but he's a possession guy. He's not a guy that will be a match-up player out of the backfield if he's playing on third down. There's no real special trait about him. He's consistent, steady and productive. The only problem is durability. You worry a little bit about his running style. Shonn Greene last year got three years, $10 million (from Tennessee). I don't see him as that player. I also don't see him as a minimum guy."

Seneca Wallace, QB: "I guess if you need a backup as kind of a semi-coach maybe he can help you." … "He's a good man but that might be tough this year finding a job." … "Journeyman, down-the-line, emergency-list player."

C.J. Wilson, DE: "He's a physical banger with some athleticism. He fits well in what they do. Two years ago he was playing all the time and then he got hurt (knee) and kind of disappeared. I don't know if he fell out of favor or what the deal is. Size-wise, he fits into any type of scheme. There won't be a strong market but there will be a market because he's a decent athlete." … "I see him in a rotation making minimum to $2 million."

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (1)

Jamari Lattimore, ILB: "He's a good athlete who flies around pretty good. He just kind of disappears on the radar for them. He's young (25) enough and athletic enough where somebody will give him a look. He can rush the passer. He can drop into coverage. He's a 3-4 linebacker. He does a lot of things where you go, 'Why not take a chance?'" … "He'll just end up signing back. Maybe for the minimum." … "Average backup. He's your third or fourth inside linebacker in a 3-4 and plays core special teams. I don't know how much more up side he has. Not a starter."

"STREET" FREE AGENTS NOT OFFERED MINIMUM TENDER (1)

M.D. Jennings, S: "Maybe somebody would (sign) him just to see what he could do. But it's not like he's played very well. I'd take a look at him because I think he's athletic enough. I'm just not sure why it doesn't always click. He's definitely that (small)." … "I don't think anybody takes a shot at him. He doesn't run well enough. It's right of first refusal at best." … "He's a backup player that got forced into a starting situation. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you got him as a good backup you're happy with that. I see a backup talent despite his starting experience."