Packer Perspective: Why Green Bay’s offense can be the league’s best
After adding more talent this spring, the Green Bay Packers’ offense can become the league’s best in 2017.
While fixing all that ailed them in the secondary sat atop the agenda this offseason, the Packers added more pieces to its high-powered offense, which could now become the league’s best.
To even entertain the idea of competing with the powerhouses in Atlanta, New Orleans and New England, Green Bay needed to address the running back position.
GM Ted Thompson received the memo, and reacted by flooding the running back room with talent in last month’s draft. Alongside receiver-turned-running back are rookies Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays, all three set to compete for playing time over the summer.
Montgomery leads the way, an X-factor in Mike McCarthy’s offense. The 2015 third-round draft pick proved at the backend of last season how effective he is not only in the receiving game, but also as a between-the-tackles runner.
After displaying good patience and vision as a runner, Montgomery’s role grew, and he eventually surpassed James Starks on the depth chart, handed the keys to the backfield. With a full season to fine tune his game, the sky is the limit for the former wideout.
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The varying styles of Williams, Jones and Mays will provide an interesting battle at training camp, and it’s the kind of competition the Packers needed at the position.
Inexperience could be an issue in the backfield, Montgomery the only back with an NFL snap to his name, but the Packers are banking one or two of their rookies making an immediate impact.
At running back, Green Bay lost the tandem of Eddie Lacy and James Starks, but gained three draft selections in Williams, Jones and Mays, as well as adding undrafted Kalif Phillips and William Stanback to the mix. Competition will be fierce.
Strength at wide receiver
On the topic of competition, let’s look at the top-heavy wide receiver position.
At this stage there are three roster locks: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. The battle for the remaining three or four spots will be a key story to follow in camp.
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Geronimo Allison enters the summer as favorite to land the fourth spot. An undrafted rookie a year ago, Allison burst onto the scene late in the year, his potential shining through in a 17-catch, 267-yard and two-touchdown season (including playoffs). The long, 6-foot-3 pass catcher won’t be without heated competition, though.
Fourth-year Jeff Janis and second-year Trevor Davis must fend off a group of rookies to hold on to their spots on the 53-man roster, Janis in particular facing an uphill battle.
This year’s draft selections, DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre could be the duo to leapfrog Janis and Davis. Then comes the rest: Max McCaffrey, Michael Clark and Montay Crockett.
Of these 11 pass catchers, the Packers will find their favorite six or seven to make the final 53. Competition is healthy, and a position of strength looks set to get stronger in Green Bay.
Tight ends make all the difference
If that wasn’t enough pass-catching talent to surround two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, throw in tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, signed as free agents in consecutive days back in March.
Their arrival will allow the Packers to operate two-TE sets, while also upping the tempo in their no-huddle offense. Given the pair’s ability to catch passes and block, Mike McCarthy can create unfavorable matchups for defenses unable to substitute when Rodgers ups the pace.
Bennett is the marquee signing Packers fans have been crying out for, and he’ll make a big difference in McCarthy’s offense. Not just a physical mismatch at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, but also a tremendous receiver. Of Bennett’s 701 receiving yards in New England last year, 410 came after the catch.
While some questions remain at the interior of the offensive line, in particular the right guard spot, the quintet should still rank among the league’s elite, largely due to All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
If all clicks into gear at running back as the Packers hope, we could see a far more balanced attack than the one seen in Green Bay last term (only Baltimore threw the ball more frequently, per TeamRankings.com), and that’s a dangerous recipe for opposing defenses.
Behind the right arm of an all-time great passer, a deep group of pass-catchers, a talented offensive line and upgrades at tight end and running back, the Packers could boast the league’s premier offense when the dust settles on the 2017 season.
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