The events of the offseason always find a way to focus the spotlight on individual players.
Obviously, the Green Bay Packers’ use of a first-round pick on Jordan Love will place quarterback Aaron Rodgers directly into the spotlight. Love probably isn’t ready to play, but now there’s a young, talented quarterback on the roster who was hand-picked by the team’s decision-makers and is expected to eventually take Rodgers’ job. Everything Rodgers does in the next two years – good or bad – will be analyzed endlessly, both locally and nationally.
He isn’t the only player who will be watched closely in 2020.
Here are six other Packers players in the spotlight following the draft:
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
You might have heard: the Packers didn’t add a receiver in the draft. No one benefits more from this development than Valdes-Scantling, who (literally?) limped to the finish line during his sophomore season but will now get a legit opportunity to bounce back and be the offense’s go-to vertical threat. Valdes-Scantling is a one-trick pony, but his one trick – getting open deep – is valuable, especially in this scheme. He was producing to start his second season (416 receiving yards during first seven games) before knee and ankle injuries turned him into a non-factor down the stretch. MVS can really run and stretch the field, and the Packers think he’s about to come into his own in Year 3. Matt LaFleur’s offense needs him to be a much more consistent deep threat in 2020. There’s really no else to play the role.
CB Chandon Sullivan
Not only did the Packers not re-sign veteran Tramon Williams, but they used nine picks in the draft without taking a cornerback. Following the draft, GM Brian Gutekunst specifically expressed confidence in Sullivan’s ability to play the slot. A late spring signing last year, Sullivan earned a roster spot in the summer and then emerged as a quality No. 4 cornerback during the regular season while playing the majority of his snaps inside. Now, he’s the likely starter in the slot if Williams doesn’t return. The Packers would be taking a risk in banking on Sullivan becoming a full-time player at a premium position.
TE Jace Sternberger
The Packers transformed the look of their tight end room this offseason, releasing veteran Jimmy Graham and using a third-round pick on Josiah Deguara, a versatile tight end with H-back abilities. The Packers took a run at Austin Hooper in free agency but eventually passed, and now Sternberger will enter Year 2 as the most likely replacement for Graham as the top tight end. Taking Deguara looks like a pick that should help Sternberger, given Deguara’s ability to handle the thankless work of the move tight end, freeing Sternberger to play more in the slot and operate more as a receiver. Can Sternberger prove to be a better blocker and more threatening receiver than Graham? The scheme – based in pre-snap deception – desperately needs two versatile tight ends.
LB Oren Burks
Burks is entering a pivotal third season. Injured during each of his first two training camps, Burks – a third-round pick in 2018 – has been nothing more than a special teams player to start his NFL career. The Packers now need him to step up and lock down a legitimate role at linebacker. Christian Kirksey will replace Blake Martinez, but the Packers didn’t re-sign B.J. Goodson and only fifth-round pick Kamal Martin was added at linebacker. Burks has the size and athleticism to be the rangy linebacker the Packers need in the middle of the field but he must show much better diagnostic and coverage skills to get on the field for Mike Pettine in 2020. More than anything, Burks must stay healthy and play faster to earn Pettine’s trust.
DL Kingsley Keke
The Packers didn’t sign a veteran or draft a defensive lineman this offseason, so internal improvement will be required to get better along the defensive front in 2020. Clearly, the Packers like the returning veterans, including Keke, a second-year player. He flashed some ability as a rookie and should be in line for more snaps in 2020. Dean Lowry needs to bounce back after a disappointing season, Tyler Lancaster is a strong run defender but is best served as a backup nose tackle, and Montravius Adams hasn’t done anything in three years. Keke might be relied upon to give the Packers some power and disruption next to Kenny Clark.
RT Rick Wagner
The spotlight doesn’t only focus on young players. Wagner, the replacement for Bryan Bulaga at right tackle, is also entering an important season. The 30-year-old is coming off a disappointing final season in Detroit and will likely struggle to replace Bulaga’s high-level pass-blocking ability opposite David Bakhtiari. Also, the Packers didn’t take a true offensive tackle in the draft, even if Jon Runyan might have some potential as a swing tackle, and Jared Veldheer hasn’t been re-signed. The backup options are… uninspiring. Wagner needs to have a bounce-back season and stay healthy in 2020.
Others
WR Equanimeous St. Brown: He missed the entire 2019 season. Can St. Brown give the Packers a reliable presence in the slot?
CB Josh Jackson: He essentially redshirted in 2019. A second-round pick entering Year 3, Jackson will likely have to fight for his roster spot in 2020.
C Corey Linsley: The Packers drafted three interior offensive linemen, including a center. Is Linsley’s time in Green Bay coming to an end?
RB Jamaal Williams: Taking A.J. Dillon in the second round likely guarantees either Williams or Aaron Jones will depart after 2020. Williams is a do-it-all back, but Jones is the far more valuable player.