John Clayton, ESPN Senior Writer 18y

Packers win recruiting battle for DT Pickett

Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams

In perhaps the most competitive negotiation Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers beat out the Bills and the Rams for Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.

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St. Louis Rams

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Terms of the agreement weren't available. Pickett was visiting the Bills but had stayed in touch with the Rams, hoping to get an offer that would bring him back. The Packers talked Pickett into his first visit over the weekend and there was some thought he might not have totally liked his visit.

Those thoughts were proved wrong when the Packers stepped up and gave him a deal. Pickett will replace Grady Jackson as the run-stopping defensive tackle in the team's 4-3 scheme.

Pickett's signing along with the addition of safety Marquand Manuel and re-signings of halfback Ahman Green and defensive end Aaron Kampman are being used as recruiting tools to help prevent Brett Favre from retiring.

Favre is watching the Packers' free-agent acquisitions to see what kind of team they will have. If he likes what he sees, he is expected to postpone thoughts of retiring for another year.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

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