Ranking Current Position Groups on Offense
By MaggieLoney
As we enter the offseason, there are a lot of uncertainties looming about what this 2021 Packers roster will look like. There are big free agents on both sides of the ball, and possibly even some cap casualties when it comes to paycheck vs production. In this two-part series, I’ll rank the skill positions on offense and defense based on positions I’m most confident in versus positions that are the least solidified heading into the offseason. Check back Friday for the defense, but today it’s all about the offense:
1. Quarterback
This was a given. Aaron Rodgers isn’t going anywhere, and he’s the NFL’s presumed MVP for a reason. He had one of the best statistical seasons of his career in 2020, and he’ll be back under center in 2021. Rodgers threw 48 touchdowns in the regular season and only five interceptions. He also eclipsed 4,000 yards for the ninth time in his career, and had a quarterback rating of 121.5, second in NFL history behind only his own mark of 122.5 in 2011. What’s more, Rodgers also posted the best completion percentage in his career as a starter, completing 70.7% of passes.
While Tim Boyle is a restricted free agent entering the offseason, I see him coming back to Green Bay to back up Rodgers once again in 2021. That’s no disrespect to Jordan Love, either. Love should see plenty of preseason playing time, and having (hopefully) an in-person offseason program to attend will further his development. It’s just that Boyle has been backing up Rodgers for a few years now, and he’s clearly the more experienced, NFL-ready player if Rodgers were unable to play for any stretch.
2. Wide Receiver
Weird, right? You might look at this list and disagree with me. That’s okay! The Packers have the best wide receiver in the NFL coming off a career season. Whatever happens in the draft, I feel pretty good about this receiving core, starting with Davante Adams who posted a whopping 18 touchdowns in 2020 despite missing two and a half games. Adams also set the franchise record for receptions with 115, surpassing the previous record held by Sterling Sharpe (112).
Behind Adams is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who despite having an up-and-down season as far as drops are concerned, came on strong in the playoffs.Valdes-Scantling finished second on the team in yards with 690 and led the entire NFL in yards per reception with 20.9. He also finished third on the team in receiving touchdowns with six.
Wide receiver three heading into the season will likely be Allen Lazard, despite his status as an exclusive restricted free agent. It’s hard not to picture Lazard back in Green Bay, as he’s been a reliable third down weapon for Rodgers and had a strong start to his 2020 season before suffering a core injury. Lazard finished the season with 451 yards and three touchdowns, but he likely would've continued to build off his impressive start had he been able to play in more than 10 games.
Beyond the top three there’s Equanimeous St. Brown, Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton, Chris Blair, and Juwann Winfree. Receiver Devin Funchess will also potentially be back after opting out of the 2020 season. Tavon Austin is a free agent who likely won’t return to Green Bay.
Adams, Valdes-Scantling, and Lazard all feel like pretty strong roster locks at this point going into 2021, so expect a battle to round out that second half of the depth chart in training camp (including, potentially, a drafted WR or two).
3. Tight End
Tight end nudges out the offensive line here just because it seems impossible to me that Robert Tonyan, despite his status as a restricted free agent, isn’t back with the Packers next season. He had 11 touchdowns on the year, tying Travis Kelce for most in the NFL by a tight end. He also finished the season with 586 yards (good for third on the team) and a whopping 88.1% catch percentage.
Marcedes “Big Dog” Lewis is also a free agent, but I get the sense he’ll be back in Green and Gold, too. He’s one of Rodgers’ closest friends and his skills as a blocker are unmatched. He won’t cost much as a veteran player but he’d be a security blanket on offense to help the tackles in David Bakhtiari’s absence (we’ll talk about that in just a second).
Behind Lewis and Tonyan are two third-round draft picks in Jace Sternberger (2019) and Josiah Deguara (2020). Deguara missed most of the season with an ACL injury while Sternberger was relegated to the bottom of the depth chart as a healthy scratch for a few games after dealing with a concussion that kept him sidelined multiple weeks. While both are developmental prospects with high upside, they haven’t shown enough on the field to be starters for Matt LaFleur’s offense, and that’s why I'd expect both Tonyan and Big Dog to be back in 2021.
Outside of the two draft picks, there’s also emerging x-factor Dominique Dafney. He surpassed Sternberger on the depth chart to close out the season and even caught a touchdown pass from Rodgers in Week 17.
Five tight ends on the roster does feel like a lot, so there could be an odd-man out here in 2021, but with the versatility of both Dafney and Deguara playing a hybrid fullback role, there could be room on the roster for all five guys.
Rounding out the position group there’s Bronson Kaufusi and Isaac Nauta, both spending time on Green Bay’s practice squad this season. Oh, and additional fullback hybrid John Lovett, who ended the season on injured reserve.
4. Offensive Line
The reason the offensive line is so low on this list, despite being one of the best position groups in the NFL, is the uncertainty that looms at almost every starting spot. First-team All-Pro center Corey Linsley is a free agent and while he’d be my first priority to re-sign, it’s hard to see him coming back with Green Bay’s cap situation so up in the air.
Left tackle David Bakhtiari also suffered an ACL tear just before Week 17, so given the typical length of recovery for ACL injuries, he might be unable to start the season. Swing tackle Billy Turner and reserve tackle Rick Wagner were both mentioned throughout the season as potential cap casualties going into 2021, but after Bakhtiari’s unfortunate injury, it’s hard to see either getting cut. The Packers were fortunate to have both on the roster for the playoffs, and both are still under contract through next season.
Along the interior of the line is where things get potentially more interesting. Versatile left guard Elgton Jenkins made his first Pro Bowl in 2020, and he also played just about everywhere on Green Bay’s offensive line. It’s possible that if Linsley isn’t re-signed, Jenkins slides into center and someone new (like sixth-round draft pick Jon Runyan Jr.) fills in at left guard. Another option would be for right guard Lucas Patrick to player center and Runyan Jr. to fill in there. When Bakhtiari is back healthy, Turner will also give Green Bay flexibility along the line.
Veteran guard Lane Taylor is a free agent this year, and despite winning the right guard job out of training camp, Taylor got injured in Week 1 and was lost for the season. It’s hard to see him coming back given the team’s needs elsewhere, but if the Packers don’t trust the development of their younger players or need depth along the interior, Taylor makes some sense on a cheap contract.
Waiting in the wings on the roster are Ben Braden, Zach Johnson, Jake Hanson, and Simon Stepaniak. Yosh Nijman finished the season as the only tackle left on the roster behind Wagner and Turner, and while he’s an exclusive restricted free agent, he should be back with the Packers, too.
5. Running Back
Finally, we get to the running backs, and this one is a given. Both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are free agents, and while General Manager Brian Gutekunst said recently he wants Jones back in Green Bay, it’s hard to see the Packers being able to afford the kind of contract Jones wants, unless of course they get really creative.
Jones finished the year eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and has 30 total touchdowns between his last two seasons. If his price tag is close to what Vikings running back Dalvin Cook received or Saints running back Alvin Kamara, he could end up pricing himself out of Green Bay.
Jamaal Williams won’t cost nearly as much and still filled in admirably when Jones was out due to injury this season. While you can’t compare the skillsets of Jones and Williams, Williams is a talented back in his own right that could be a starter for quite a few NFL teams. He finished the season with 741 total yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and boasting a catch percentage of 88.6%.
The only back that’s sure to be on the roster in 2021 is second-round draft pick AJ Dillon. Dillon’s breakout game came against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, giving Packers fans a glimpse into what he’s capable of in the backfield. He finished his rookie year with 263 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Green Bay carried only the three backs on its roster for much of the season, so there likely won’t be too many roster spots available at running back in 2021 given the logjam at tight end. Behind Dillon, Patrick Taylor, Dexter Williams, and Mike Weber should all get opportunities in camp. I’d also expect the Packers to draft a running back, too, unless both Jones and Williams wind up back in Green Bay.
The one wild card here is Tyler Ervin. He’s a free agent that finished the year on injured reserve, but he was a great gadget player for LaFleur’s offense and was reliable on special teams when healthy. Ervin makes sense to come back to Green Bay. His contract wouldn’t be massive and he’d be impactful both on offense and as a return man.
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Maggie Loney is a writer for Cheesehead TV and podcaster for the Pack-A-Day Podcast and Pack's What She Said. Find her on Twitter at @MaggieJLoney.
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Comments (48)
stockholder
February 02, 2021 at 01:42 pm
If all your conclusions turn out to be Right, It's OK by me. But I still figure Greed controls this teams destiny. HAD THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. I'd sweeten the pot. But since they Didn't. I wouldn't give anybody more then two years. WHY? - Injuries! Over achieved! And Cap. The Cap would change in two years. And any question marks will be answered by then. You don't win on Paper. The Holes are still there. As long as Rodgers is the leader, he'll move this offense. The Wall must be taken care of first. Let Wagner, and Taylor walk. linsley has had a bad back. The OL must be fit and get younger. And truthfully I see them taking a RT in this draft. IMO the next C is on this club now. Next Tonyan. He did great, but still can't jump. 2 yrs. 5 mil. a year. RB. Sign Williams. 2 yrs.-5mil. a year. Jones can walk on the moon all he wants. But the .price to get there isn't in Green Bays budget.
BAMABADGER
February 02, 2021 at 02:04 pm
Move on from Sternberger if he doesn't show up stronger from weight training this off season. He plays soft, can't stay healthy. One more concussion and he's done.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 09:42 am
Bama is correct. If the Packers were high on him, why would they draft Dequara in the 3rd?
He's had what...12 catches in 2 season's?
.
Dequara, also raises questions, he had 1 catch and then IR.
Not even sure why he was drafted (for blocking?), he is a tweener. Undersized for a tight end, and almost all scouts had him projected as a H-back in the NFL.
.
No offense...but i find Maggie's claim that Dequara and Sternberger provide a high ceiling is based on what? Because they are signed?
CoachDino
February 03, 2021 at 04:14 pm
Sternberger and Deguara are two different types. Much like Mercede Lewis and Tonyan are. Deguara is a H Back- Sternberger is a receiving threat/ mismatch.
He was actually looking like a great pick until injuries derailed him.. Its part of the NFL
I am in agreement that Jace needs to have a breakout year or they move on. I would actually Draft a TE to develop in case Tonyan demands anys sort of money and Jace doesn't workout.
High Ceiling because they have displayed it - They have the ability, not even a question
RCPackerFan
February 02, 2021 at 02:08 pm
My WR take.
Overall I feel pretty good about this group for next year.
Adams - He is playing as well and better then any other WR in the league right now. Adams is so good at beating any CB.
MVS - really has emerged. Yes he has some frustrating drops. But you know who else has some frustrating drops... Adams does. It happens. I am hoping MVS will become a little more consistent but he is a guy who can be a huge part of our offense next year.
Lazard - he provides some really good abilities. He is like an extra TE with what he can do in the running game. But he also provides a big target who has really good hands. After coming back from being out, he just wasn't quite as good as he was before he left. Give him a full year, he will produce!
EQ - Lets not forget that EQ missed basically all of last year. He was definitely rusty coming back. I am interested in seeing how he is next year. He has talent just needs a good offseason.
Funchess - If he comes back, he is an intriguing player. I don't know what to expect from him. But I do believe he would provide a good weapon in this offense.
I don't know if they will be going into FA for any WR's. If they do one name to maybe watch is Will Fuller. It was reported that they tried trading for him, so obviously they like him. He might be a guy they try and go after. Another name is Allen Robinson. A few years ago Robinson chose the Bears over GB. Clearly a huge mistake, we all knew it, and I am pretty sure he has learned from it the hard way. Depending on salary cap and all of that, he might be a guy that would sign a smaller 1-2 year deal to try and get a bigger deal after. He might not want to do that either.
I will not be surprised if they go for a WR or 2 in this draft. There are a number of WR's in this draft they could be looking at. There are a number of guys that could fill the Tyler Ervin/Tavon Austin role as well.
I would not be surprised if they tried to draft more speed types of guys. Guys that can put pressure on DB's with pure quickness and speed. I haven't dove into the draft to much yet, but there appears to be guys that they can get that will do that.
I do think next years group could be really good especially if they do find a couple of quicker/faster guys that can put pressure on defenses.
The offense was much better when it had Ervin in it. I don't know if he will be back, but either way they need to find more guys that can fill that role.
I'm looking forward to our WR's next year!
Gee
February 05, 2021 at 03:56 pm
For me for this group to grow we need to draft Ervin replacement and he must be an upgrade. That for me will help open the playbook. As we all saw when Ervin went down the offence, the first couple of games the offence didn't have as much motion. Grab a speedy shifty wr for me anyways will add the layer to offence.
splitpea1
February 02, 2021 at 03:12 pm
The Packers would be wise to hang on to Dafney; he helps everywhere, including special teams. I've been impressed with him.
And it's time to break this string of injury-riddled/unproductive third-round picks we've selected in the past few years; need to find a solid player and a little luck here, for once, in this slot.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 09:45 am
And it's time to break this string of injury-riddled/unproductive third-round picks we've selected in the past few years.
.
A fan who "gets it".
mattgsx
February 02, 2021 at 03:32 pm
Great breakdown. Deguara and Dillon are interesting, as their picks suggested the Packers wanted to move to more of a Titans/SF style power football offense that could place less demand on a certain young unproven QB should Rodgers not return to form.
I think the offensive identity of 2021 is really going to determine the strength of each position group. Which RBs, if any, get resigned going into the 2021 season could be a big hint of what kind of offense MLF wants this year. GB has a more than capable WR and TE core, and possibly OL, if the goal is to pound and bomb. If they want a more arial attack I have my concerns about the OL, as the Bucs showed how to neutralize Rodgers in this offense similar to the blueprint the Chiefs and Giants used in 2011 to stymie MMs offense for several years when there wasn't a run game to lean on.
croatpackfan
February 02, 2021 at 06:00 pm
No, aol.com is correct. Open page and search.
mattgsx
February 02, 2021 at 06:24 pm
I would trust some rando on the Yahoo Answers "sex and relationships" section on sports before trusting AOL.
All joking aside, no matter what Rodgers "wants" he knows it ain't happening this year unless that deal is to convert his salary and roster bonus for this year to signing bonus, and maybe adding a voidable year at the end of his contract.
Any deal Rodgers signs this year would lock him into GB longer, as the Packers could relatively painlessly move on after 2021 - not so if they try to spread out this year's salary over the remainder of his contract to get under the cap this year.
Leatherhead
February 02, 2021 at 06:47 pm
“The Packers could move on....”
The GM is in his fourth year of a five year deal. The HC , I’ve read, is in the last year of his deal. I think we’re gonna take one more shot with this group, but if it doesn’t get to the Super Bowl then I think you could see quite a bit of change
mattgsx
February 03, 2021 at 08:18 am
I could definitely be wrong... but I don't see MLF leaving unless the Packers have a serious regression with Rodgers under center. This year will be very telling as there is enough tape out there to clearly see MLFs tendencies. This team will either need to change their focus to more fully commit to the ground game, or Rodgers will need another MVP year, to replicate the kind of success they have had the last two years.
Gute, I have to imagine, will be here for the long haul as long as GB stays competitive. He is making the right moves personnel-wise, and while some of his draft picks are taking longer to spend significant time on the field you can see the growth and progression of guys like Savage, Gary, Martin, Dillon, etc.). Again, I think this year will be telling as the 2020 draft really looked like GB was getting ready to shift gears, and the personnel moves supported that.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 09:53 am
"Again, I think this year will be telling as the 2020 draft really looked like GB was getting ready to shift gears,"
Shift gears is correct....Until Rodgers threw a wrench at those plans. Now we see Gute scratching his head and picking his nose mumbling..."what did i do drafting Love?"
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 10:08 am
"He is making the right moves personnel-wise, and while some of his draft picks are taking longer to spend significant time on the field" - mattgsx
Having resources such as high draft picks actually get on the field and contribute is kind of an important detail in this business.
Especially when you are one win away from the Super Bowl, 2 years in a row.
When you are one win away from a Super Bowl....but you are choosing players who either won't be, or can't get on the field much....how is that going all in to win now?
IT ISN'T
There is a big difference between saying the words "win now"
and actually making real "win now" moves, showing that you mean it.
croatpackfan
February 02, 2021 at 04:25 pm
I just read on aol.com that TJ Lang claims Aaron Rodgers is hellbent on some revenge against Packers abd wants new deal...
jlc1
February 02, 2021 at 04:56 pm
You have a typo there Croatpackfan. You surely meant to type LOL.com, right?
LeotisHarris
February 02, 2021 at 08:12 pm
Robert, seriously, I loved your work on Shark Tank, but coming from the internet security sector you *must* realize aol.com is a joke. I know you're the Shark with a heart, but this is going way overboard!
Leatherhead
February 02, 2021 at 07:07 pm
The Packers look to bring back most of the league’s best offense next season. It’ll feature Rodgers to Adams, and Dillon will get about 1/3 of the plays. Tonyan will get more targets. MVS has to be guarded.
We'll be different, but still plenty good on offense.
HankScorpio
February 02, 2021 at 08:26 pm
Based on 2020...
1. Offensive Line. The two times they really failed Rodgers, he didn't get it done without them. They also opened holes in the run game to let the ML offense function at its best.
1a QB. MVP. 'Nuff said. Hard to call QB 2nd best in 2020 so I fudged the numbers.
3. RB- The 2nd round rook looked pretty good. And was the clear #3 in performance.
4. TE- Solid group. No superstars
5. WR- Outside of Adams, they just were not very good.
I expect Jones and Williams to leave the RB room. I hope one or both comes back but...cap. That would flip RB & TE heading into 2021. We'll see if the offseason brings any other changes.
NickPerry
February 03, 2021 at 05:56 am
I'm not sure which round they try and get one, but I'd still like to see a WR added in this draft. MVS may very well be better and Lazard as well, but the Packers still don't have the quick Randall Cobb type WR on this club which I think really benefits them. The problem is CB, DL, RB, and OL are IMO bigger needs so where they find one I'm not sure.
That kid Hunter Renfrow out of Clemson was picked in the 5th round 2 years ago. Not a burner but plenty quick. Someone like him would be interesting.
murf7777
February 03, 2021 at 09:45 am
NP...agree with DL, OL and CB as our biggest needs. RB, not so much, there will be a lot of cheap available options in FA and later in the draft to fill with Dillion.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 10:23 am
"I'm not sure which round they try and get one, but I'd still like to see a WR added in this draft."
I agree....
But then i have to ask myself...if Gute didn't think grabbing a receiver in a deep receiver draft last year was needed, Why would he think we need one in this years draft when we had the highest scoring offense?
fredperry
February 03, 2021 at 06:43 am
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egbertsouse
February 03, 2021 at 07:01 am
If Love can’t beat out Boyle for 2nd string in year two they might as well cash in their chips and unload him. With all Gutey’s talk about AR being in GB long-term maybe they already suspect they drafted another Rich Campbell.
HankScorpio
February 03, 2021 at 07:24 am
No doubt about it. Love needs to at least progress enough to make the gameday roster as backup QB. That's not rushing to judgement on him. That's just the expected progression.
blacke00
February 03, 2021 at 08:09 am
Why is Love not getting any love? Give the guy a break for Christ's sake! No real Rookie camp, No preseason games, no pre camp in person meeting or camps. No one has really seen much in very limited practices during the season. I could say the same for all the 2020 rookies. Give the guy at least one regular preseason to make any judgments.
BTW, you'll recall that Rodgers was no great shakes his first season and certainly didn't give us any hint of what was to come. So be patient, give the guy a chance.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 11:30 am
Cool your jets.
.
egbertsouse said Love needs to be 2nd string in his second season, and he's right.
Tim Boyle is an undrafted QB with 4 NFL passes under his belt. If a 1st round pick can't beat him out in his 2nd season, that's a problem.
If more people listened to egbertsouse, they'd be in danger of learning something.
At least Rodgers played and beat out #2. He had 16 pass attempts his 1st year. No....he didn't win MVP.
PF4L
February 04, 2021 at 10:58 pm
blacke00
February 03, 2021 at 08:09 am
Why is Love not getting any love? Give the guy a break for Christ's sake! No real Rookie camp, No preseason games, no pre camp in person meeting or camps. No one has really seen much in very limited practices during the season. I could say the same for all the 2020 rookies.
*********************************************************
Hmm..interesting....Now go look up a guy named Justin Herbert, starting QB for the Chargers.
2020 1st round rookie
6th rated passer in NFL in passing yards
No real Rookie camp.
No preseason games
No pre camp in person meeting or camps.
PF4L
February 05, 2021 at 09:09 am
blacke00
February 03, 2021 at 08:09 am
"No real Rookie camp, No preseason games, no pre camp in person meeting or camps. No one has really seen much in very limited practices during the season. I could say the same for all the 2020 rookies"
**********************
After looking up Justin Herbert, look up Tampa Bay rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Games played:16
Games started:16
PFF Grade: 82.2
“I thought he should’ve been in the Pro Bowl,” head coach Bruce Arians said before the Wild Card round. “He’s a guy that’s given up one sack all season as a rookie.
"No real Rookie camp, No preseason games, no pre camp in person meeting or camps.
Didn't seem to hurt these guys.
murf7777
February 03, 2021 at 09:50 am
Too much is being made that Love was a third stringer.....Boyle knows the offense very well and Love had no OTA's or preseason to be ready. Of course, Love will be the back up next year, they didn't trade up to let him be a 3rd string QB. You can only figure out so much in practice.
dobber
February 05, 2021 at 09:38 am
Boyle is only on the roster in September if one of Love or Rodgers gets hurt in camp.
Roadrunner23
February 03, 2021 at 07:06 am
Yep the O LINE gonna need some help in the off season fo sho
Roadrunner23
February 03, 2021 at 07:13 am
Relax on Love dudes, no OTA’s, no training camp, no preseason. Give the kid a break, he be ok
HankScorpio
February 03, 2021 at 07:33 am
I doubt it. I'm just playing the odds in saying that. Never in the history of the NFL has a team transitioned at QB from guys like Favre to Rodgers and then to another that is as good as top 10 in the NFL.
Of course, that is just about probability. Love is not a number. He's a player. So he's got a chance to buck those odds. But there is no doubt they are quite long odds.
Leatherhead
February 03, 2021 at 09:54 am
It is possible to be successful without a HOF QB. If Love can execute the offense and protect the ball, that’s all we need.
PF4L
February 05, 2021 at 09:13 am
It's true, you don't need to have a HOF QB to get to a SB. But you better have one hell of a defense.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 11:08 am
We have no clue whether Love will be "ok" or not.
Lets let him throw a pre-season pass, maybe prove all the scouts wrong. One thing is for sure, that boy has a lot of work to do to be NFL ready.
They say playing QB from College to the NFL is 90% mental. That aspect has driven hundreds of QB's to find a new line of work.
Experience has shown us over the decades, that being a first round QB pick offers no guarantee of NFL employment.
murf7777
February 03, 2021 at 03:30 pm
We don’t know whether he will be good or not is correct. What is also correct is he will get very opportunity to prove that as Rodgers backup. Being a first round draft pick assures that.
PF4L
February 05, 2021 at 09:14 am
1st he has to be Rodgers back up. Not on the inactive list every week.
Packman60
February 03, 2021 at 08:51 am
Overall, good analysis. I expect the Packers to draft an OT in the 1st 3 rounds, as there is no guarantee that Bak is ready to go at the start of the season and the Packers medical staff is extremely conservative in their handling of injuries. The Packers are projected to be 28 million over the cap, so I don't see Lindsley or either RB being resigned unless they take a team friendly deal. I also expect Wagner to be a cap casualty. Finally, look for the Packers to draft a shifty, fast slot receiver to take over the Ervin / Austin role. There are a number of highly rated receivers coming out that fit that role that should be available in round 3 or 4.
mattgsx
February 03, 2021 at 11:04 am
Solid predictions. I can see a world where either Ervin or J Williams comes back for continuity. I wouldn't entirely mind if Ervin is retained just for ST because he is by far the most dynamic return option the Packers have had since Cobb.
Since'61
February 03, 2021 at 09:27 am
We need a Randall Cobb type receiver for this offense. Someone with good hands, who runs good routes and knows how to get open. Cobb almost always found a way to get open for Rodgers on key 3rd downs.
We need to draft a RT. Besides that I think we have enough depth to cover the OL even if Linsley leaves in FA.
We’re good at TE especially if Lewis and Sternberger return with Tonyan.
RB is the issue. If it’s possible I would franchise Jones but I don’t know if we have the cap space to do it. Think that Jones has 2 more good seasons and I would hate to see the Packers lose him. Yes, we can always draft a mid- round RB but a rookie will not be ready to give us Jones’ level of production in his first season unless he is Gale Sayers reincarnated.
Redo Rodgers contract, let Linsley and P. Smith go and don’t re-sign King. Maybe that would create enough space for Jones. Interesting off season ahead. Thanks, Since ‘61
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 11:11 am
"We need a Randall Cobb type receiver for this offense."
Absolutely!!.....since '61 <--- another guy who "gets it"
dobber
February 05, 2021 at 09:41 am
I've been advocating for a guy like that for years...including during Cobb's last couple years when he seemed a step slow and was dealing with nagging injuries. But if BG's approach and player preferences hold, they're more likely to go with a big slot-slot TE type...which they have in droves. And they have Funchess coming back (if they choose to keep him) and his advanced stats playing in the slot are far better than his numbers on the outside.
Handsback
February 03, 2021 at 09:32 am
For the past two seasons Lane Taylor beat out Jenkins for the left guard position and Patrick/Turner at the right guard position last year. I don’t know how injuries have affected him long term. That being said....he is a very solid pro that seems to have a lot left in the tank. I wouldn’t write him off until the team makes the determination that he’s done. If he can stay healthy, that right guard spot will be his.
PF4L
February 03, 2021 at 10:54 am
Lane Taylor is an unrestricted free agent.
In other matters, concerning Maggie's description of the "great gadget player and "impactful returner" Tyler Earvin.
I don't mean to sound cold (honest), but Tyler Earvins NFL career has been a great big nothing. Yes, he had a run of 21 yards...once...yippee. Yes, he had a catch for 24 yards...once...yippee
Both...career highs
Total NFL Touchdowns - Zero...6 seasons
Earvin had 5 punt returns for a 4 yard average for the Packers...WOW
Earvin had 10 kick returns for a 19.6 average....Sorry
He's a waste of a roster spot.
CoachDino
February 03, 2021 at 05:19 pm
Is WR a top priority, maybe not. I think OT and CB are bigger issues but that said either draft high for a guy that has potential to become a #1 after 2-3 years or find a specialist. Fast, quick twitch slot rec? RB/WR combo, or even another big body guy that has something special (speed, jump, height, contested, quicks etc..).
I'd even be behind taking a special edge rusher with the 1st pick if one falls. Develop him like Gary so Z can be let go if he doesn't earn a 20Mil salary or even after he leaves. Speed Rusher thats a bit smaller than the edges they have (Gary, Z and Preston are big boys for 3-4 edge guys)
Sure Dline is important but unless you can land a guy like Alkim McNiel or if really lucky Barrimore don't bother until late. Keke is ready to be a 3 down starter along with Kenny so unless you find a stud more than 50% snaps are going to be. Kenny, Keke, Gary, Z and whomever.
Turner and Wagner are not Oline/OT of the future and Turner is a weakspot at Guard or Tackle. Unless Yosh is ready they need a starting caliber OT year 1 or at latest year 2. Those guys are usually found on Day 1 maybe day 2. Packers fans have been spoiled by the great job of drafting OT in later rounds. Its the exception not the rule.
Unfortunately I have no faith in Runyan or any other Guard center other than Jenkins. Maybe Patrick but he really is a better IOL back-up than starter.
RB could be a strength if Dillon is the real deal.
slot and outside CB are by far the biggest needs on Defense. Sullivan is a nice back-up not a good starter.
ILB - take a look at another Hybrid. A guy that is more slot corner than ILB but plays with ILB mentality. Cox,Jones might be there in rds 2-4 respectively. Don't be so fast to buy in on Barynes and Martin and sell off on Kirksey. He came on strong when he played off the rust, got healthy and moved to the weak side. He's not that expensive.