Green Bay Packers
2019 Record: (13-3) 1st
NFC North
2019 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 23.5 (15th)
Yards: 345.5 (18th)
Pass Yards: 233.3 (17th)
Rush Yards: 112.2 (15th)
Defense
Points: 19.6 (9th)
Yards: 352.6 (18th)
Pass Yards: 232.6 (14th)
Rush Yards: 120.1 (23rd)
Even as the 2019 edition of the Green Bay Packers found sound
levels of success, they were a club that wasn’t viewed as overly dominating. With
Matt LaFleur bringing a new system and scheme to the team, a very different
offense was the outcome. Highlighting more of a balanced approach rather than
always leaning on Aaron Rodgers to be the primary source of offense – Aaron
Jones was a machine when given the opportunity.
From this balanced attack, Jones witnessed career highs while
finally being able to remain healthy for a full 16-game slate. Securing his
first 1000-yard season while finding the endzone a whopping 19 total times,
less reliance on Rodgers seemed to be the case. With that said, Rodgers didn’t
have a bad season which saw him hit levels of just over 4000 yards passing and
26 touchdowns, with only four interceptions.
With a very successful season in the books, Green Bay had their sights
set high on reaching the super bowl once again. Hosting a divisional round
contest verse the Seahawks, the Packers looked sharp for most of the game.
Letting up a little in the second half, it allowed Russell Wilson to climb back
and nearly pull off the comeback. Nevertheless, the Packers punched their
ticket to the conference championship game against the 49ers. Feeling confident
to move to the big dance, the Packers were clearly outmatched in this one
losing in dreadful fashion. While the score finished looking more competitive,
the game was out of reach far before the final whistle.
When all was said and done a very successful campaign was in the
books with promise to be better in 2020. Coach LaFleur proved he was the
correct hire to lead this Packers club and the potential to get to the big show
is very real in his second season.
2020 Offseason
WorkBook:
When it comes to the
quarterback position there is no question to believe that Rodgers will again be
the starter for 2020 – but could we see another passer added to begin the
eventual changing of the guard at the position? Recent rumor has already been
swirling to suggest the Packers would entertain selecting the potential heir to
Rodgers. While this wouldn’t surprise us to witness them select a new
quarterback in the draft, it wouldn’t change much as Rodgers should be the
unquestioned starter for at least the next two years. If a new player is added
in hopes to be the future (post Rodgers), sitting on the bench learning would be
the only viable option.
Jumping to the running
back position, Aaron Jones looked the part of being that top rushing presence.
While we did have a good level of reservation that he could remain healthy for
an entire season while leading the team, he definitely made us eat our words.
In this new system the reliance on the running back was seen and executed to
near perfection. Being a major piece in the pass game as well, Jones should
slot back in this season to pick up where he left off. The one question we have
is - would they add another player to this room in hopes to upgrade from Jamaal
Williams? With nothing against Williams and his ability – perhaps a more
dynamic weapon here would make a difference with greater match-up possibilities.
Heading to the wide
receiver position, this could be seen as the greatest weakness on the club
outside of an average offensive line. Davante Adams is still the cream of the
crop amidst a down season in productivity. While that may sound like Adams
didn’t cut it on the field, the sidestep came simply from missing four games to
injury. Not having the same pedigree in scoring touchdowns, this could be
blamed for the lack of supportive pieces on this roster. With that, we did see
some level of optimism from Allen Lazard in more than a few contests, but
doesn’t appear to be that true answer. We shouldn’t be shocked to witness a
deep threat and slot receiver added this off-season.
Looking at the tight end
position, Jimmy Graham was signed in hopes to give more offensive punch to the
offense but hasn’t materialized into another spectacular. Age and diminishing
ability continues to fill the landscape of what Graham used to be and rumor has
suggested he won’t return to the team in 2020. Possibly being linked to free
agent Austin Hooper could be a match made in heaven.
The Defense
In full review of what the Packers were on defense, a bend but
don’t break unit is the most appropriate way to describe this side. Led by the
Mike Pettine scheme which was built by Rex Ryan – living and dying by the blitz
was the fabric of this defense.
Starting with the defensive line, Kenny Clark is the unquestioned
leader for this group and would absolutely love some help this upcoming season.
Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster aren’t terrible pieces, but we would like to see
more talent added to this group.
And while the Pettine system is strictly a 3-4 system, line
backers are what makes this scheme move in the right direction. Loaded with
talent in this room, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith showed how strong they
could be together. Green Bay secured a healthy 41 sacks of opposing quarterbacks
this past season and the Smith brothers (no relation) accounted for a fabulous 25.5
sacks between the two of them. With Blake Martinez and BJ Goodson rounding out
this crew – they were a massive problem for teams to contend with.
Moving right along to review the defensive backs on this team,
this is a group we are completely infatuated with. A group which houses talent
such as Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos – 17
interceptions was the outcome. This unit in our eyes is clearly just scratching
the surface and should take another leap forward next season. Could we see more
talent and depth added at some point this off-season, we truly wouldn’t rule it
out. But either way, this group is a beast ready to break out.
Team Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
For a team that went 13-3 this past season, we fully expected a
lower available cap number to grace their books. Sitting with a modest 18.5
million in free dollars to add to this roster isn’t horrible as they only have
20 team free agents to deal with.
In terms of potential players to resign, Brain Bulaga, Blake
Martinez, Kyler Fackrell, and BJ Goodson look to be the only major commodities
to consider bringing back. Even as the offensive line could use an upgrade and
removing players like Bulaga would be counterproductive, his injury history
would send red flags to any general manager to offer up a big contract
extension to. Blake Martinez should also be on top of the list to bring back
but rumor has suggested he has priced his was out of town. Looking to fetch at
minimum 10 million per season, his current market value has exploded to reach
something around 15-16 million average annual, on a five to six-year pact.
When it comes to adding more funds to the books, the Packers have
very few opportunities to gain more dollars this off-season. Jimmy Graham is the
primary cap causality as he would generate a healthy 11.6 million in free space
while forcing a mere 3.6 million to dead funds. Outside of that, Green Bay is
literally in tough to find more dollars while keeping this roster in tact.
The NFL Draft
Historically for the Packers, the NFL draft is where they build
their roster over spending big money on the open market for free agents. This
year Green Bay has 10 selections to their name and should be able to add viable
play-makers and adequate depth to take them to the next level. The unfortunate
aspect of reaching the NFC Championship is that they hold the 30th
overall pick in the first round. Missing out on top tier talent could be seen,
but good fortune could still come their way.
In our eyes the top need would have to be at the wide receiver
position. Green Bay truly requires a massive upgrade in this department and
should pilfer a great talent from a class loaded with pass catchers. Depending
on how the draft shakes out, we could see Justin Jefferson, Jalen Regaor, or
Denzel Mims added at pick 30.
And while we’ve seen some prognosticators suggest offensive line
or a middle line backer selected in the first round, we can’t see that occur if
top end receiver ability is ripe for the picking. Taking talent over need is
always the better approach and the window for Rodgers is closing fast. With and
extra sixth and two extra seventh rounders on their board – the Packers should
have no issue finding more depth to take a shot on a receiver in the first
round.
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