Packers Morning Buzz: Green Bay ranks among least-desirable spots for free agents

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with The MMQB's Robert Klemko asking 15 respected NFL agents where their free-agent candidates would most want to play (if the money were equal) and where they would least want to play. You might not expect it after what happened Tuesday, when four free agents agreed to terms with the Packers, but Green Bay ranked in the bottom 10 (a four-way tie for the ninth least-desirable destination).

Regarding Green Bay, Klemko writes:

Green Bay and New England were two of the three teams (along with the Giants) to have won a Super Bowl in the last decade to make the bottom 10 (each received three down-votes). Black players, agents said, believe Green Bay, with its 3.5% African-American population (the lowest of any NFL city), could be a hostile place for minorities.

“My guys, mainly from the South, go to Green Bay and always have apprehension for obvious reasons,” one agent said, “but they end up falling in love with everything about the place.”

Which teams were deemed the most desirable for free agents? You can read the entire story here:

In what was the wildest day for Green Bay free agency since they landed Reggie White in 1993, the Packers reeled in edge rushers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith, safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner. Tom Silverstein puts it all in perspective in his analysis of general manager Brian Gutekunst's moves.

Tom writes:

After taking a beating on Twitter from Packers fans upset he hadn't done anything in free agency, Gutekunst shook up the NFL world with his flurry of agreements. In one fell swoop, Gutekunst took a big step in solidifying his defense and turning pass rusher into a luxury more than a need when he chooses in the upcoming draft.

Gutekunst has positioned himself so he could take a player at almost any position with the No. 12 pick. The draft is thick with defensive linemen and pass rushers, but it also has some talent at tight end and offensive tackle.

There won't be a lot of pressure on him to dangle his second first-round pick (No. 30) to try to move up for a top-level pass rusher. If one of the top edge rushers such as Montez Sweat or Brian Burns falls into his lap at No. 12, Gutekunst wouldn't have to count on him to carry the load.

You can read the entire story here:

Preston Smith looks like the best addition of the day. Ryan Wood examines why:

Ryan also writes about Za'Darius Smith and what he brings to the table:

The acquisition of the two edge rushers spells the end for Nick Perry's Packers career, writes Jim Owczarski:

The signing of safety Adrian Amos helps the Packers while hurting the rival Bears:

Billy Turner can fill any number of holes on the offensive line:

Meet the new Packers in this video from Olivia Reiner:

The Packers rank among the early winners in free agency, per Pro Football Focus:

Looks like Dee Ford won't be coming to Green Bay:

Packers fans did a quick turnaround on Twitter:

Pete Dougherty and Olivia Reiner fielded readers' questions on Facebook Live:

Free agents may not love Green Bay, but there's nothing wrong with the Packers' money:

Silverstein's takeways from the day:

Preston Smith's impact on Packers' defense should go beyond his sack totals:

PFF also rates Za'Darius Smith as a dependable tackler:

Here's some spot analysis of Za'Darius Smith, via Peter Bukowski:

And Andy Herman has some Preston Smith highlights:

ESPN's Rob Demovsky looks at some bad deals from the Ted Thompson-Russ Ball contract era:

The times, they are a-changing:

The Power Sweep charts Perry's declining production:

Browns safety Damarious Randall applauds Amos for being brought in to play what could've (should've?) been his position with the Packers:

Former Packers backup quarterback Brett Hundley is on the move:

In the day's strangest story, linebacker Anthony Barr reneged on the Jets and will remain a thorn in Aaron Rodgers' side in Minnesota:

Former Packers guard T.J. Lang, released last week by the Detroit Lions, is taking things "day by day":

And finally .... did somebody mention the Lions?

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt