As long as they’ve had Aaron Rodgers at the helm
Womens Clay Matthews Jersey , the Green Bay Packers have largely used the top of the draft for help on defense.This might be the year for the Packers to
shift priorities, with one of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks now at age
35. Coming off a second straight absence from the playoffs, the pressure has
been put on new coach Matt LaFleur to use his strategic acumen for a boost for
the offense.While finishing 6-9-1 in 2018, the Packers were 15th in the league
in points, 12th in yards, 23rd in third down conversions and 13th in percentage
of touchdowns scored on possessions inside the 20-yard line.In 2016, the
previous season when Rodgers played in all 16 games, the Packers ranked fourth,
eighth, second and 10th in those categories
Marcedes Lewis Jersey White , respectively.Sure, the Packers could use a starting safety next to newcomer Adrian Amos, but is that more important than a
top-flight tight end to boost the passing game?What about at wide receiver, with
the departure of seasoned slot man Randall Cobb removing an underneath
complement to Davante Adams?While Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have shown
promise at running back, but are they both durable and dynamic enough to be the
one-two punch for the type of offenses that LaFleur has often had?Remember, the
Packers swiftly signed three starters for their defense in free agency last
month: defensive end Za’Darius Smith, linebacker Preston Smith and Amos. They
also devoted all of their picks of the first three rounds in the past two drafts
to defense, highlighted by cornerback Jaire Alexander last year.So with four of
the top 75 selections next week, general manager John Gutekunst and the Packers
will have plenty of opportunities to prop up the offense.“There isn’t a grace
period. This isn’t like other transitions where you maybe give a pass for the
first year or two as you get acclimated to the system,” Rodgers told reporters
last week as players began offseason workouts.“We have a veteran
quarterback
Mike Daniels Jersey , veteran offensive linemen. We signed some big free agents for us, especially three on defense. There’s an expectation living and
playing here that you’re going to compete for championships.”Here are some other
key angles to follow during the draft next week for the Packers:FIRST THINGS
FIRSTThe Packers have the 12th overall pick, their highest in 10 years since
they made defensive tackle B.J. Raji the ninth selection. They also own the 30th
overall pick, which came by a trade from New Orleans in the previous draft.The
Packers started at No. 14 and moved down to No. 27 by netting two extra
selections from the Saints. Then they moved back up to No. 18 to take Alexander
in a swap with Seattle that sent three picks to the Seahawks and brought two
back.CLEAR FOCUSWith Alexander, cornerback Kevin King (2017) and defensive
tackle Kenny Clark (2016) the most recent examples, the Packers have used their
first picks on defense in seven straight drafts. The only offensive player taken
in one of the first three rounds in the past three years was tackle Jason
Spriggs, the second-round selection in 2016 from Indiana.SKILLSETSThe Packers
have not taken an offensive skill position player in the first round since
Rodgers fell to them at No. 24 in 2005, giving them three years to groom him
under Brett Favre until he took the job in 2008. They’ve only taken three
offensive players with their first picks at all since then.Wide receiver Jordy
Nelson went in the second round in 2008, when they traded their first-rounder to
move down for extra picks. Tackles Bryan Bulaga (2010) and Derek Sherrod (2011)
went in the first round.HAWKING TALENTThough Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis
have returned, one of the Iowa tight ends would be tough to pass up with two
picks in the first round. Both T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are projected as
first-rounders. With Bulaga
Jason Spriggs Jersey White , defensive tackle Mike Daniels (2012), cornerback Micah Hyde (2013) and cornerback Josh Jackson (2018), the Packers
have a history of Hawkeyes players.UP FRONTGutekunst can’t neglect the offensive
line, despite the presence of All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and free agent
signing Billy Turner, who could start at either guard spot or even right tackle,
where Bryan Bulaga has entered the final year of his contract. Alabama’s Jonah
Williams is among the top-rated tackles likely to be available at No. 12. In the
three-year span of 2013 to 2015, perhaps no NFL assistant coach ascended higher
or faster than Adam Gase. Following two years as the Denver Broncos’
quarterbacks coach, during which time he oversaw a transition from Tim Tebow to
Peyton Manning at the position, Gase took over offensive coordinator duties in
2013.The result was an explosion in the Mile High City, as Manning set an NFL
single-season record for passing yards (5
Womens Bryan Bulaga Jersey ,477) and touchdowns (55) en route to a Super Bowl appearance. Another excellent season in 2014 seemed to put him on track for
a head coaching job, but he had to wait one more year to get that chance. In
that 2015 season, Gase got one of the best seasons out of Jay Cutler before
departing to take the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins in 2016. Three
years of mediocre football in Miami got him the boot after Week 17 concluded,
however, and he found himself looking for another job.Gase now has an interview
for a position that would offer him the opportunity to work his magic with
another quarterback on the Manning level. According to Tom Silverstein, the
Packers will interview Gase for their open head coaching position in the coming
days, making Green Bay the third team to speak to him about such a vacancy.The
playcalling ability and offensive creativity that Gase possesses is not in
question. However, his leadership style seemed to rub plenty of Miami players
the wrong way. Several current and former Dolphins posted celebratory Tweets
following Gase’s firing, while offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James spoke out about a
lack of identity on offense. However, the team’s top quarterback
Womens Aaron Jones Jersey , Ryan Tannehill, missed the entire 2017 season and about half of 2018.While Gase has no direct connections to the Packers, he
is from the Midwest originally, growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan and attending
Michigan State University.ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that Gase’s interview is
expected to take place on Sunday, January 6th.
