> Positional analysis
QUARTERBACK In Aaron Rodgers’ first season under new head coach Matt LaFleur, the 36-year-old quarterback put up 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and threw four interceptions. His 4,000-plus campaign was the eighth in his career, and this is only the third time in his career since becoming the starter in 2008 that he threw five or less picks in the regular season. Still, those 26 touchdowns are good for second-fewest in seasons Rodgers has started all 16 games for the Packers (behind only 2018, when he threw 25). While Rodgers took significantly fewer sacks this season (36 down from 49), he still has a tendency to hang on to the ball for too long. Both the head coach and starting quarterback emphasized a need to get play calls out faster in 2020 to avoid continuously taking the play clock down to the last few seconds. Of course, Aaron Rodgers is still one of the most talented passers in the NFL, and remember that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan won NFL MVP during his second year working with then-quarterbacks coach LaFleur in Atlanta. Expect Rodgers to take a similar leap in year two in LaFleur’s offense.
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay is expected to bring in a quarterback to compete with third-year pro Tim Boyle for the backup spot. The Packers also retained Manny Wilkins for the remainder of the season on the practice squad, so Green Bay will likely be entering training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster.
RUNNING BACK As expected, Aaron Jones enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2019, entering the conversation as one of the league’s best backs. He flourished in LaFleur’s scheme, playing a full season for the Packers and topping 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career. On the ground, Jones had 16 touchdowns and a 4.6 yard average per carry, but he wasn’t done there. He also added another 474 yards receiving and three additional touchdowns through the air. Jones also set a new franchise record for touchdowns in a single season with 23, breaking the 22-score mark set by Ahman Green in 2003. The complementary role in the backfield, the thunder to Jones’ lightning, was held by Jamaal Williams, also out of the 2017 draft class. Williams only had one rushing touchdown in 2019, but he shined as a weapon in the passing game, hauling in 39 receptions for 253 yards and five touchdowns. While Williams didn’t see nearly as many snaps as Jones, he did average 4.3 yards per carry rushing and a whopping 86.7 catch percentage receiving. While Jones and Williams will once again be the featured backs in 2020, the Packers did add a second Williams (Dexter) via the draft. Dexter was only active for four games and carried the football only five times for 11 yards.
Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones
Green Bay did like the look of return-man Tyler Ervin in the backfield and on special teams, as Ervin was able to utilize some of the jet sweeps that LaFleur likes to run effectively, but Ervin entered free agency and has not been re-signed by the Packers as of the time of this writing. Rounding out the running backs group is Damarea Crockett, a rookie out of Missouri. Expect the Packers to add competition at the running back position through the draft, as this will be a big year for the backfield with both Jones and Williams entering free agency in 2021.
CHEESEHEADTV.COM 2020 PRO FOOTBALL DRAFT GUIDE
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