Based on CBS Sports ranking of Free Agents for 2013:
In the top 20, which I arbitrarily used as Impact players, 11 were resigned by their teams. So only 9 hit the open market. Let’s review.
Cliff Avril- Sea – 2yr, 15M- 7.5 sacks- Stud
Michael Bennett- Sea- 1yr, 5M- 6.5 sacks- Stud
Paul Kruger- Cle-5yr, 40.5M- 2 sacks- Dud
Elvis Dumervil- Bal- 3yr 18M- 9.5 sacks (But only left Den due to Agent screw up) Stud
Mike Wallace- Mia- 5yr, 60M- 56 catches, 3 TD- Dud
Andy Levitre- Ten- 6yr, 46.8M- Started all 12- Lot of money for a guard- Fair
Greg Jennings- Min- 5 yr 45M- 43catches 3TD- Dud
Sean Smith- KC- 3yrs, 18M- 36tackles, 2 Int- Stud
Wes Welker- Den- 2yr, 12M- 68 catches, 9TD –Stud

By my way of thinking, that breaks down to 5 studs and 3 duds and 1 in the middle.

Of the 5 studs, 2 are 4-3 DL so would have less value to Packers. 1 is a CB and I thought we were loaded there. 1 is a WR and we are loaded there. 1 is a DL that would have value to the Packers- Dumervil. 1 impact player that had value to the Packers! And it was only a mistake that allowed him to hit the market.

So Ted Thompson should have signed Dumervil. Who cares about what Elvis wanted? Who cares that Bal was desperate to replace Kruger? Who even knows if Ted Thompson didn't make that call and get told No?

Let’s look at areas of Packer weakness- going into season, not now
Tackle- The highest rated tackle to move was Jake Long. Not exciting. Followed by Gosder Cherilus and Jermon Bushrod in the Top 50. Still not excited. Not sure any of them are much of an upgrade over Barclay at RT, especially since all 3 are LT money.
Center- I did not see one listed among the Top 100 Free Agents
LB- Danell Ellerbe was #30 on the list. 5yr, 35M would have been a lot to add to Packer LB payroll.
S- Dashon Goldson was available 5yr 41M (Ed Reed was the 3rd rated FA safety! Woodson was 4th! That gives a little perspective to the available depth in FA) Signing Goldson would probably have meant not signing Burnett to an extension. In April, that would have been a dumb choice. Now, well, ???

There is not a Top 100 QB that changed hands.

Certainly there were hundreds of FA available. Everyone non drafted or signed to another team is available. But does anyone think that signing more players like Mulligan and Banjo would put this team in the playoffs?

It doesn't matter whether you use the FA market or D&D. A roster of 53 cannot survive the injuries the Packers have suffered. You can't lose 'The Man' for half the season.

Ted signed a SLEW of FAs this season.

Seneca Wallace and Matt Flynn, for example. Then there's Tolzien. Made an offer to BJ Raji too.

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Interesting research it must have taken you a little time to put together.

I will start by saying a few years ago we had a thread that asked us to rank the ten players GB could least afford to lose. I listed Aaron all ten times. No doubt it is impossible to replace him.

While looking at this year's FA list is interesting it doesn't mean a whole lot. This approach assumes that fans are clamoring for FAs each and every year. That is not so. Come back with a 4 year list and we can talk. 1 or 2 key players over an extended period will make a difference. Not any one single year. We are not suggesting GB acquire a player or 2 or 3 every single year.

I will agree we have no idea which players GB talks to. I have seen it stated more than once in the past 5 years that players do not have GB high on their wish list even though GB has a history of winning. There are many factors.

To assume Ted may have tried to sign Dumervil is a quantum leap. He may have made a call to his agent and he may have passed. Unless you are in the inner loop there is no point in implying he may have and was turned down.

Finally just because players are typical 4-3 DL doesn't mean they can't play in a 3-4 system. GB has drafted a few players in the past few years that were thought to be 4-3 DLmen. Thus this year's pool is more than just one player.

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The points in this thread are well taken. Especially losing a player like Rodgers, and the impact that would have on any team. Since S went pretty much unaddressed in the draft, I took a look at some players who signed FA deals this year at the position, and some who are still available:

SS Bernard Pollard signed a $2M 1 year deal with TEN. He is playing lights out there. Pollard is one player I was hoping we would pursue, as he has the toughness we've been lacking at SS. Switch Burnett to FS. He is only playing on a 1 year deal, so, maybe next season… 3 INTs, 5 PDs, 3 STFs, 1 KB

SS Glover Quinn was a nice FA pick up by DET out of HOU. 1 FR, 2 INTs, 2 STFs

FS Kerry Rhodes is an 8 year veteran who is 6-3" 212, and had a great 2012 season with AZ. Good career numbers. He remains unsigned. We certainly could have used his play at FS. There is a lot of turmoil about his possibly being black balled for being openly gay. This is an intriguing player, as his abilities are really quite good, as is his athleticism, size and speed. We really could have done well to have signed him this offseason. 4 INTs 11 PDs, 1 sack, 2 FFs.

SS Nate Clements, though older, at 33, might have been a nice veteran presence for us. He remains unsigned. Had a good season last year. 1 INT, 1 FF, 5 PDs, 1 STF

SS Yeremiah Bell is having a great season with AZ, at 35 years old. 2 INTs, 7 PDs, 1 sack, 4 STFs.

SS Dawan Landry is also having a pretty good season with NYJ, at 30 years old. 1 INT, 6 PDs, 1 sack.

FS Jim Leonhard is having a really solid year with BUF at 31 years old. 3 picks from a non-starter.

None of these would have been considered marquee signings (with the possible exception of Rhodes), but these older veteran players are performing well with their new teams after signing FA deals in 2013. Sometimes I wonder if we might be too concerned with the 30 years of age barrier in today's NFL, and especially in GB, where we have been one of the youngest teams for years. Personally, I would like to see a more veteran presence back there with Burnett.

Jairus Byrd was another FS that I was hoping Ted would pursue in trade. Maybe he did. Guy is playing very well right now for BUF, but I believe there was a point where BUF was actively looking to make a deal. In just 7 games since ironing out his contract issues, he has 1 sack, 3 INTs and 5 PDs.

I believe every one of the players listed would have been better options than MD Jennings, admittedly with a bit of hindsight looking back on this season… Jennings has 1 sack, 1 FR, 3 STFs, 0 INTs, 0 PDs.