Here are the top breakout players from the Green Bay Packers’ 2019 season:
RB Aaron Jones: Signs of stardom were obvious throughout his first two NFL seasons. In 2019, new opportunity combined with immense talent to create a special breakout season. Jones produced 1,707 total yards and scored 23 times over 18 games. He became just the 13th player in NFL history to score at least 23 touchdowns in a single season. Jones led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (19) and total broken tackles (42) and emerged as a legitimate receiving threat (505 receiving yards, four touchdowns). Will his scoring production continue in 2020? Probably not. But Jones will enter his fourth season in 2020 as one of the NFL’s truly special running backs.
WR Allen Lazard: A rollercoaster season for Lazard started with an impressive summer, got momentarily sidetracked by a difficult decision at final cuts and ended with the second-year receiver emerging as a legitimate option in the Packers’ passing game. Despite playing 50 percent or more of the offense’s snaps in just 10 of 18 games, Lazard still produced 38 catches for 513 yards and three touchdowns, including the playoffs. He finished fifth on the team in catches and third in receiving yards and was first among Packers receivers in catch percentage and second in yards per target. Both of his touchdowns against the Detroit Lions helped spark comeback wins. Even if the Packers add receivers this offseason, Lazard should be in a position to contribute next season.
CB Kevin King: The third-year cornerback finally stayed healthy in 2019 and positive results followed. King played in 17 of 18 games and produced 17 pass breakups and a team-high five interceptions. He gave up too many big plays and missed too many tackles, but opposing quarterbacks completed 58.8 percent of passes and had a passer rating of just 84.5 when targeting him. Of his five picks, three came in the fourth quarter, including two in the end zone with the Packers protecting leads. King finished as one of only five players to produce at least five picks and 15 pass breakups in the NFL in 2019. Consistency is the next step. He’ll enter a contract year in 2020.
OL Elgton Jenkins: The second-round pick took over as the starter at left guard in Week 3 and didn’t give up a sack the rest of the way. He finished in the top 10 of pass block win rate among guards, per ESPN, and in the top 10 of overall grade among left guards, per Pro Football Focus. He was named to the 2019 All-Rookie team. GM Brian Gutekunst believes Jenkins can eventually stand alongside Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle as one of the great Packers guards of the last 25 years. Pro Bowls could be in his future.
CB Chandon Sullivan: Signed off the scrap heap in May, Sullivan forced his way onto the roster during camp and then won a role as the fourth cornerback in Mike Pettine’s defensive back-heavy defense. He was impressive in coverage, allowing just 3.9 passing yards per target and a passer rating of 34.3. In fact, only 11 of 31 passes were completed against his coverage, and he produced six pass breakups and an interception. The young corner was a solid tackler (one miss), effective in the slot and one of the team’s core special teams players. Sullivan could compete to be a starter in 2020.
RB Tyler Ervin: The Packers plucked him off waivers in December and immediately solved their issue at returner. Ervin returned 12 punts for 112 yards and nine kickoffs for 201 yards. Seven of his 12 punt returns gained over 10 yards. He also rushed three times for 35 yards, including an 18-yard gain setting up a touchdown in the Packers’ playoff win over the Seahawks. His speed and quickness added another element as the jet-motion player down the stretch. A looming free agent, Ervin will be coveted by the Packers as the primary returner and gadget player in 2020.
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