#MKT400UWL Packers

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New Look Packers?

The Green Bay Packers wrapped up their Organized Team Activities on Monday. They held three of the OTA practices open to the public. This gave fans, and media, a first look at the team with newly signed free agents and draft picks. Since the moment players like Jimmy Graham and Muhammed Wilkerson were signed, fans were eager to see how they would look in the green and gold. Draft picks, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, also had fans buzzing during OTAs. 

Without having physically checked out the OTAs myself, I have relied on Packers beat writers and reports, as well as the team’s social media accounts to stay up to date. Based off what I have seen from their day-to-day posts, there is a lot to look forward to this season for the Packers. 

Up next for the Packers, they will hold mandatory minicamp from June 12-14. After the conclusion of minicamp, the team will be off until Training Camp, which starts July 26. 

Below you will find all of the moves the Packers have made to improve the team, and an outlook on the 2018 season. 

Offseason Changes

Most notably after the season ended, the Packers parted ways with General Manager, Ted Thompson. He served as Green Bay’s GM since 2005. But after an all around disappointing season, a change was necessary.  

Additionally, the Packers fired their offensive coordinator, Edgar Bennett, and defensive coordinator, Dom Capers. The Packers felt as though it was time to move on from Bennett, so they brought back former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin. He was previously the team’s offensive coordinator from 2007-2011. To replace Capers, the Packers hired Mike Pettine. Mike Pettine’s defenses have never finished outside of the top ten in total defense in the NFL. However, Green Bay’s defenses have not finished in the top ten since 2010. The additions of Philbin and Pettine are huge for the success of the Packers in 2018.

Finally, at the start of the league new year, the Packers made a rather surprising, player change. They traded cornerback Damarious Randall to the Cleveland Browns for quarterback DeShone Kizer. The teams also swapped fourth and fifth round 2018 draft picks. Randall had been the Packers number one corner in 2017, but he had been rather hit or miss during his career. Nonetheless, the trade was shocking. What would it mean for the Packers secondary? Why did the Packers need another quarterback? Well, the Packers coaching staff sees promise in Kizer, and feels that he can be the backup in the future. For more on how the Packers secondary will be affected, continue reading about the Packers free agency acquisitions.  

Free Agency 

The Packers were active in free agency for what feels like the first time in forever. Yes, they made a few signings last year, but those did not pan out the way that they had hoped. This season however, the free agent signings look to have a big impact. 

New Packers General Manager, Brian Gutekunst, brought in one of the best pass-catching tight ends, Jimmy Graham. Gutekunst was able to lure Graham away from his former team, the New Orleans Saints. This signing shocked me, I really thought that Graham would reunite with the Saints. I am beyond excited to see what he will do with Aaron Rodgers throwing to him. Graham is a huge threat in the red zone. In fact, he had the most receiving touchdowns in the red zone in 2017, with ten. Just imagine the possibilities with Rodgers throwing at him.

Additionally, the Packers added to their depth at tight end by signing Marcedes Lewis. He spent the previous 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lewis is also considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the game. This aspect of his game will be a great improvement from what the Packers currently have. But not to be forgotten, he can be a threat in the pass game. Though, the numbers may not look like it over the last four seasons. From 2014-2017, Lewis had 78 receptions for 919 yards and eight touchdowns. However, in the two seasons prior, he had 77 receptions for 899 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Furthermore, the Packers made moves to improve their defense. They signed defensive lineman, Muhammad Wilkerson, and brought back cornerbacks Davon House and Tramon Williams. Wilkerson spent that last seven seasons with the New York Jets. His addition to the Packers adds to the already exciting defensive line of Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark. House was re-signed in 2018, after being brought back in 2017. He previously played for the team from 2011-2014, before spending the next two seasons with the Jaguars. Williams is being brought back to add a veteran presence to the Packers secondary. He previously played for the team from 2006-2014, before spending the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. All three of these veteran players should improve the Packers defense, which has not been strong lately. 

Finally, the Packers brought in offensive lineman, Byron Bell. He previously played for the Panthers, Titans, and Cowboys. Bell could ultimately be the replacement for current Packers lineman Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga tore his ACL last season, which was the second tear of his professional career. He has also had multiple other injuries during his time with the Packers, resulting in him only playing a full 16 games twice in his eight seasons. 

Draft 

The 2018 NFL Draft took place in Dallas, Texas, April 26-28. This was the first time that the Packers had a top 20 draft pick since 2009, when they held the ninth overall selection. They were originally scheduled to pick 14th. However, on draft night, new GM, Brian Gutekunst, traded to the pick to the New Orleans Saints, for the 27th pick and their 2019 first round pick. Initially, this upset many fans, myself included. Why would we trade our highest pick in almost ten years? Every player that would be a good fit with the Packers was still available. But then, Gutekunst made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, to move back in to the top 20. With the newly acquired 18th overall pick, the Packers selected cornerback, Jaire Alexander, out of Louisville. The player they wanted all along. 

This draft by the Packers was one of their best in recent years. They addressed all of their needs. The Packers used their first three draft picks on defense. These picks included cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, and linebacker Oren Burks. Addressing the needs in secondary was important for the Packers. It has been constantly costing the Packers games year after year. Alexander and Jackson could be the missing pieces this defense needed. 

With the departure of Nelson, and uncertainty at the position, outside of Adams and Cobb, the Packers needed to address the wide receiver position. They did just that in the draft by selecting, J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown. All three of these receivers are tall, athletic, and can really improve the Packers current wide receives room. 

Looking Ahead 

The Packers will kick off their 100th season in primetime at Lambeau Field. It will be a showdown of the NFL’s oldest rivalry, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. This will not be the first time that these two teams are meeting week one. They also met week one of the 2015 season, a game that the Packers won 31-23. In games started by Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have a 15-4 record against the Bears. I cannot wait to watch the classic rivalry under the lights at Lambeau! 

The week one game is one of five primetime games for the Packers in 2018. The other primetime match-ups include: week six against the 49ers on Monday Night Football, week nine at New England on Sunday Night Football, week 11 in Seattle on Thursday Night Football, and week 12 in Minnesota on Sunday Night Football. The Packers tie a league-lead with their five primetime games this season. 

Furthermore, the Packers will be getting starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers back from a broken collarbone. This injury limited him to nine games in 2017, and has him as a leading candidate for the 2018 Comeback Player of the Year Award in the NFL. Additionally, with all the help that the team has given him, Rodgers is set up for having another successful season in 2018. 

Finally, new number one wide receiver, Davante Adams, will continue to climb the ladder of success. He was given a 4-year contract extension prior to the final game of the 2017 season. Showing the Packers have confidence in his abilities, despite his concussion history. I have the same confidence in Adams. I believe that this will finally be the season that he reaches 1,000 receiving yards. He has been so close the last two seasons, having 997 yards in 2016, and 885 in 2017. He had a legitimate shot at reaching the milestone last season, however, he suffered a concussion against the Panthers, and had to miss the final two games.