Packers Notes: Bryan Bulaga, A.J. Hawk, Evan Dietrich-Smith & Chris Canty

Bryan Bulaga

According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Packers may try to move OL Bryan Bulaga to left tackle in next season.

Bulaga has played right tackle since entering the league, but the Packers appear to be looking for an upgrade Marshall Newhouse.

“I think he’s an all-pro right tackle,” said head coach Mike McCarthy of Bulaga. “I thought he was having an all-pro year this year. That’s the way he graded out for us.“

Bulaga suffered a fairly serious hip injury last season, so there has to be come question as to whether or not this could hamper him moving forward. 

McGinn adds that 2010 first-round pick Derek Sherrod could also be in the running for the job if he’s able to prove that his previously broken leg is fully healed.

A.J. Hawk

Bob McGinn also writes that LB A.J. Hawk could be asked to take a pay cut in the coming weeks.

Hawk’s cap figures stands as $7.05 million for the 2013 season, which ranks fourth among all players on the Packers’ roster.

McGinn mentions that even if the Packers were to release Hawk, they would still have to count $1.6 million against their 2013 cap, as well as another $3.2 million in the future.

In the past two seasons, Hawk has served as a two-down linebacker for the team.

Hawk, 29, played much better in 2012, but even with improvements to his game, he still graded out as a middle-of-the-pack linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus.

Evan Dietrich-Smith

Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Packers and restricted free agent OL Evan Dietrich-Smith‘s met at the NFL Combine.

Dunne writes that this could be “a sign that the team is ready to make Dietrich-Smith their center of the future with a long-term deal.“

Green Bay turned to Dietrich-Smith late into the season after Jeff Saturday was benched. The Packers are known for investing in players early on versus waiting until their set to become unrestricted free agents.

It seems likely that they’ll extend him a contract offer at some point in the coming months.

Chris Canty

Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports that DL Chris Canty will meet with the Packers early next week.

FA DT Chris Canty will make a trip to GB early next wk. No visit w/ JAX set up yet but they’re talking. Hard out there for FAs right now.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 27, 2013

Canty can play both the 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes, so it’s not hard to see why the Packers would explore the option. Jerel Worthy suffered a knee injury towards the end of the year and figures to start off on the PUP list, which means more depth at defensive end is needed.

We currently have Canty listed as the No. 57 free agent in our Top 100 Free Agent List.