During the Thompson/Capers era, few things were more frustrating than their tendency to add players and then try and mold them to fit their scheme rather than build the scheme around the players. That should change with Mike Pettine in charge. Pettine is a Rex Ryan disciple, and Rex’s defenses did not adhere to a single scheme or label (they officially ran a 3-4). The duo seemed to get the most out of their defensive players regardless of their ideal fit. This means that Gutekunst will have more flexibility with regard to the types of players he can pursue.

Ranking the defensive needs for the Packers is not an easy task since the team could benefit from an influx of talent at every position. The interior defensive line is likely not very high on the team’s list of priorities. Every other position can be addressed early in free agency or the draft, or both.

Here is a look at ten defensive players the Packers should pursue in free agency:

Honorable mentions

Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence: If it looked like there was any chance Lawrence was hitting free agency, he’d be number one on this list. All the reports indicate that the Cowboys will tag Lawrence if they can’t sign him to a long term deal.

If it looked like there was any chance Lawrence was hitting free agency, he’d be number one on this list. All the reports indicate that the Cowboys will tag Lawrence if they can’t sign him to a long term deal. Saints SS Kenny Vaccaro: Strong safety will be a need for the Packers if Morgan Burnett departs in free agency. Vaccaro is a talented player who has struggled with consistency through his career. He has most recently missed nine games over the last two seasons due to various injuries. If Green Bay wanted to take a flyer on his talent, he probably will not come with a hefty price tag.

Strong safety will be a need for the Packers if Morgan Burnett departs in free agency. Vaccaro is a talented player who has struggled with consistency through his career. He has most recently missed nine games over the last two seasons due to various injuries. If Green Bay wanted to take a flyer on his talent, he probably will not come with a hefty price tag. Lions DE Ezekiel Ansah: If you exclude three of Ansah’s last 27 games, he has just five sacks. Given the lack of pass-rushers available in free agency, someone will pay a pretty penny for the 28-year-old. The Packers are better off not overpaying here.

If you exclude three of Ansah’s last 27 games, he has just five sacks. Given the lack of pass-rushers available in free agency, someone will pay a pretty penny for the 28-year-old. The Packers are better off not overpaying here. Rams CB Trumaine Johnson

Patriots CB Malcolm Butler: When it’s all said and done, Johnson and Butler will be two of the highest paid corners in free agency. Johnson was graded as the 15th best outside corner by Bleacher Report in 2017 and the 68th best corner by PFF. Butler ranked as BR’s 42nd outside corner, and 51st by PFF. While both players would be welcome additions to the Packers secondary, there are options out there that are better and cheaper.

Other honorable mentions: Eagles CB Patrick Robinson, Colts CB Rashaan Melvin, Redskins CB Bashaud Breeland, Redskins ILB Zach Brown, Redskins ILB Mason Foster, Titans ILB Avery Williamson, Redskins EDGE Junior Galette, Seahawks EDGE Dion Jordan, Seahawks DT Sheldon Richardson.

10. Raiders LB NaVorro Bowman

Bowman used to be one of the premier two-dimensional inside linebackers in the game. He had excellent coverage skills and few were better at defending the run. As he showed in his brief stint with the Raiders, he can still make a significant impact as a run defender. Injuries have taken their toll, and the three time pro-bowler’s coverage skills have deteriorated because of it. That being said, he’d still be the most impactful inside linebacker the Packers have had in a long time.

9. Bills CB E.J. Gaines

Gaines doesn’t have the name recognition of Malcolm Butler or Trumaine Johnson, but he is arguably just as effective. PFF gave Gaines a grade of 85.9, which is third amongst free agent cornerbacks. The 25-year-old graded out well in coverage as well as run support, but has had durability issues throughout his career. Gaines won’t be cheap, but the fact that he has missed 10 games over the last two seasons could drive his price down.

8. 49ers SS Eric Reid

Reid is another talented player who could come at a discount due to health issues. There are many similarities between Reid and Morgan Burnett (Reid has dabbled at LB for the 49ers). The 26-year-old would be a sufficient fallback option if Burnett were to sign elsewhere.

7. Cardinals CB Tramon Williams

If you were to play a game of connect the dots, it would lead you to the conclusion that Williams will end up in Green Bay. The 34-year old played in Green Bay for nine seasons before signing with Mike Pettine’s Browns. Williams was PFF’s eight ranked corner in 2017 and finished with the highest grade of his career. If Ted Thompson were still GM, I’d bet the house on this reunion taking place.

6. Saints EDGE Alex Okafor

Okafor looked really good this season before a torn Achilles put him on IR. His 21 run stops ranked third amongst edge defenders at the time of his injury, and he had 4.5 sacks to go along with it. Okafor’s best season came in 2014 under a Todd Bowles scheme that's not dissimilar to Pettine’s. It’s possible that the 26-year old would be willing to do another one-year “prove-it” deal like he did with the Saints.

5. Rams SS Lamarcus Joyner

PFF gave Joyner a grade of 90.3; good enough for third amongst all safeties. Comparatively, Morgan Burnett finished with a grade of 77.3. The 27-year old had a better coverage grade than any other safety in the league, according to PFF. If he hits the market, the Packers should prioritize him over Burnett.

4. Eagles WLB Nigel Bradham

I don’t think the transition from 4-3 outside linebacker to 3-4 inside linebacker would be a difficult one for Bradham. The 28-year old’s best asset is speed, and he has the athletic ability to get from sideline-to-sideline with ease. What Bradham lacks as a run defender, he more than makes up for in coverage (only Deion Jones and Bobby Wagner got higher grades from PFF). He and Blake Martinez (8th in run defense) would complement each other nicely and together form one of the better inside linebacker duos in the game. The fact that he has experience as a signal caller is an added bonus.

3. Redskins EDGE Trent Murphy

One thing is clear from his tape, Murphy can rush the passer. After having a career-year in 2016, the 27-year old missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL and MCL. Murphy is an excellent bull rusher and also possesses an effective inside move due to his quickness. Murphy is a terrific run defender as well because of his wingspan and sheer strength. The Packers need edge rushers and size, and Murphy brings both. It’s hard to imagine him costing too much coming off an ACL injury and a four game PED suspension.

2. Jets LB Demario Davis

Davis’ explosiveness is the first thing you see when watching the Jets 2017 defense. The 29-year old has excellent speed and his ability to react quickly allows him to explode through the hole. These traits earned him the 11th best run grade at the linebacker position and led to him garnering the most pressures of any off-ball linebacker in 2017. He also finished with an above average grade in coverage (79.7) – a good 36 points higher than Blake Martinez.

1. Bears CB Kyle Fuller

Bleacher Report graded Fuller as the 10th best outside corner in 2017, while PFF had him at 23. The inconsistencies are still there, but he is quietly ascending into one of the better young corners in the game. To a lesser extent, Fuller could replicate what Revis did for Pettine in New York. The 25-year old might be pricy, but he’d be well worth it for the Packers.