Roster Changes

 

Key additions

G Billy Turner, OLB Za’Darius Smith, OLB Preston Smith, S Adrian Amos

 

Key losses

WR Randall Cobb, TE Lance Kendricks, OT Byron Bell, DE Muhammad Wilkerson, OLB Clay Matthews, OLB Nick Perry, ILB Jake Ryan, CB Bashaud Breeland, CB Davon House, CB Kentrell Brice

 

2019 draft class

OLB Rashan Gary (1.12), S Darnell Savage (1.21), C Elgton Jenkins (2.44), TE Jace Sternberger (3.75), DL Kingsley Keke (5.150), CB Ka’dar Hollman (6.185), RB Dexter Williams (6.194), LB Ty Summers (7.226)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Aaron Jones
WR: Davante Adams
WR: Geronimo Allison
WR: Equanimeous St. Brown
TE: Jimmy Graham
LT: David Bakhtiari
LG: Lane Taylor
C: Corey Linsley
RG: Billy Turner
RT: Bryan Bulaga

 

Defense

DE: Mike Daniels
DT: Kenny Clark
DE: Dean Lowry
OLB: Za’Darius Smith
ILB: Blake Martinez
ILB: Oren Burks
OLB: Preston Smith
CB: Jaire Alexander
CB: Josh Jackson
S: Darnell Savage
S: Adrian Amos

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB DeShone Kizer, RB Jamaal Williams, RB Dexter Williams, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR J’Mon Moore, OT Jason Spriggs, G Justin McCray, C Elgton Jenkins, DL Kingsley Keke, DL Montravius Adams, OLB Rashan Gary, OLB Kyler Fackrell, CB Kevin King, CB Tony Brown, DB Tramon Williams, S Josh Jones

 

Biggest strength: Offensive tackle

The Packers have arguably the best left tackle in the league with David Bakhtiari, and right tackle Bryan Bulaga should have a couple more above-average years left in the tank as he enters his age-30 campaign. If Green Bay is going to compete this season, the duo will need to give Aaron Rodgers plenty of time in divisional games against Chicago (Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd), Detroit (Trey Flowers), and Minnesota (Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen).

 

Biggest weakness: Wide receiver

We know Davante Adams isn’t a weakness as one of football’s top receivers, but behind him, the Packers have basically all question marks. Geronimo Allison can be quality No. 2 as a crafty route-runner, but he played just five games last season, while the second-year trio of Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and J’Mon Moore all need to build confidence under a new coaching staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jordy Nelson came out of retirement if the team thinks they need more help in training camp.

 

Position battle to watch: Cornerback

Jaire Alexander is perhaps the best young cornerback in the NFL, but Green Bay needs to figure out how the depth chart will round out behind him. While most seem to believe Kevin King has the inside track to start on the outside, I think Josh Jackson can make a Year 2 leap and give the franchise their perimeter pairing for the next decade. Also, Tony Brown was good in limited action last year, and Tramon Williams is a proven veteran that will be able to step in if they young guys aren’t up for the challenge.

 

One more thought

The Packers had one of my favorite drafts in 2018, but this year, general manager Brian Gutekunst made more long-term plays by taking Rashan Gary (who is very raw at a position they had already bolstered in free agency) and Elgton Jenkins (who will likely be a swing backup on the offensive line) with two of their top-50 picks. We’ll see if the team decides to give Gary snaps on the defensive line, which I think is a better fit for him anyway.

 

Early over/under: 9 wins (via CBS Sports)

Over. The NFC North is loaded and I’m not quite sold on all the moves made this offseason, but Green Bay has elite talent on both sides of the ball, and Aaron Rodgers is surely ready to get his team back into Super Bowl contention. I’m leaning slightly towards double-digit wins for the Packers.