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Packers: 5 players that need to contribute to contend for Super Bowl

By Tyler Grzegorek

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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3. S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Clinton-Dix has been a mainstay in the Packers secondary since being a first round pick in 2014. Clinton-Dix has played in all 64 possible games and has started 58 of those 64. For a team that seems to struggle to remain healthy, Clinton-Dix has bucked that trend.

It is difficult to effectively grade Clinton-Dix’s level of play over the last couple of seasons. He finished as the 43rd best safety in the NFL last season according to Pro Football Focus. Assuming that the top 64 safeties would indicate a starting safety spot in the NFL, ranking 43rd is merely acceptable. Clinton-Dix will need to be better in order to elevate this defense.

Now, it’s not to say that is all his fault. It appeared as though Clinton-Dix’s ability as a free roaming, back-end safety kept him anchored in the back-end of the secondary. Former defensive coordinator Dom Capers appeared to compensate for his lack of talent at cornerback by deploying Clinton-Dix as his fail-safe on the back-end. According to Pro Football Focus data, Clinton-Dix lined up at free safety for approximately 56 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

Hopefully, under Pettine, Clinton-Dix can return to his 2015 form which saw him ranked as the 16th best safety according to Pro Football Focus. Clinton-Dix will likely be given more freedom to be instinctual under Pettine. This should help him to become the player that the Packers had hoped he would be when they selected him 21st overall in 2014.

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