The Green Bay Packers did not make any major additions to the offense during the offseason. The team signed two veterans to replace departing free agents and drafted several rookies who likely won’t play in their first season. Improvement will have to be internal.
Receiving bounce-back seasons from several important players would help push the team forward in Matt LaFleur’s second season as coach.
Here are four offensive players the Packers need to step up and have a better year in 2020:
TE Jace Sternberger
PFF grade: 60.1
Sternberger’s low rookie grade is easily excused; he was a first-year player at a difficult position who missed a big chunk of the season and then was thrust into multiple roles as the Packers made their playoff push. Now, Sternberger is a year wiser and more physically developed, and he’ll have a terrific opportunity as the top receiving tight end on the roster, replacing Jimmy Graham. There may be no better breakout candidate for the Packers on the offensive side. Sternberger can run and is a natural receiver, and he told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic that his blocking is “night and day” better than when he arrived in Green Bay. He could turn into a high-rep, high-target player in 2020.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
PFF grade: 57.0
Valdes-Scantling entered his sophomore season as a starter but ended it buried on the bench. He didn’t develop as expected and then suffered fairly significant knee and ankle injuries in October, robbing him of opportunities to showcase his deep speed. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he’s going to challenge Valdes-Scantling to take the next step in 2020, a pivotal season for the arc of his young career. Can he become a more dependable all-around receiver, keeping himself on the field and providing more chances to run down the field and create big plays? Valdes-Scantling has nine catches of 40 or more yards over the last two seasons. He can be a valuable weapon in the play-action pass game. But he must improve significantly – especially at the line of scrimmage and as an intermediate route runner – while regaining his confidence after a dud finish to 2019.
RG Billy Turner
PFF grade: 63.0
Turner played all 16 games at right guard and had several effective games, but his first season in Green Bay was mostly disappointing, especially as a pass-blocker. Among starting guards in the NFL, Turner graded out as one of the worst pass blockers at Pro Football Focus. He gave up six sacks and 45 pressures overall, both the most on the Packers offensive line, and allowed at least three pressures in 10 of 17 games. His inconsistency week to week has to be concerning for Matt LaFleur and the Packers. He’s never been a high-end player at the NFL level, and the results in 2019 suggest a replacement-level player entering 2020. If he doesn’t rebound to start next season, the Packers may look elsewhere for a starter, and if he’s replaced mid-season, he’d almost certainly be out the door after just two seasons in Green Bay. The Packers need him to be an effective starter, especially with a new right tackle arriving.
RT Rick Wagner
PFF grade: 59.0
The Packers signed Wagner to start the free agency period, providing a veteran replacement for Bryan Bulaga. While not always available, Bulaga was tough as nails and widely considered one of the best pass-blocking right tackles in the NFL. Wagner, who was sent packing by the Lions after just two seasons, has big shoes to fill. The former Badger allowed 32 pressures over 467 pass-blocking snaps and wasn’t effective as a run blocker last season. His overall grade at PFF was one of the worst among starting offensive tackles, but it was also uncharacteristic – Wagner produced grades of 70.0 or better during five of his first six NFL seasons. Can he bounce back and stay healthy as he approaches age 31? The Packers have little for depth at offensive tackle. If Wagner goes down or struggles, the offensive line could really be in trouble on the right side.
[vertical-gallery id=39134]