Green Bay Packers 2018 roster preview: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
It’s a big season for Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He’s now entering the final year of his contract. This is his fifth season in Green Bay after the Packers decided to pick up his fifth-year option a year ago.
What can we expect from Clinton-Dix in 2018?
2017 stats
Playing in all 16 games, Clinton-Dix made 79 tackles, six pass defenses and three interceptions. After four years, he’s yet to miss a game for the Packers.
2017 review
A year after being selected to the Pro Bowl and named a second-team All-Pro, Clinton-Dix disappointed for much of 2017. While he still had good stats, they don’t tell the full story.
Andrew Herman of Cheesehead TV wrote a great piece in March, comparing Clinton-Dix’s film from 2016 and 2017. It’s an article well worth your time, as Herman makes some great points and shows examples from the two seasons. Herman concluded that the two biggest differences from 2016 and 2017 was Clinton-Dix’s aggressiveness, and his ability to make routine plays.
"“First, I saw a vast difference in aggressiveness and assertiveness. In 2016, Clinton-Dix fired off the ball and didn’t think twice. This is where HaHa is at his absolute best. When he’s put in a position to react and go make plays, he has a great opportunity to be successful.”"
Clinton-Dix didn’t play at a Pro Bowl level last season, and it was noticeable.
Odds of making roster: 100 percent
Clinton-Dix is still one of the most important players in the Green Bay Packers’ secondary, especially now that Morgan Burnett has gone. The team did add experience by bringing back cornerback Tramon Williams, who of course has played for the Packers, and worked in Mike Pettine’s defense.
Outside of Williams and Davon House, the Packers have a lot of young players in the defensive backfield. Clinton-Dix will be one of the most experienced players in the secondary, and will be a key player in Pettine’s defense.
2018 preview
It’s a big year for Clinton-Dix. It’s the final season on his rookie contract, so his performance this year will determine the type of deal he signs next offseason. It could also determine whether Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wants to bring him back in 2019, or search for a replacement next spring.
But let’s put it into perspective. Clinton-Dix has been a positive part of the Packers’ secondary for a number of years. Despite a disappointing 2017 season, he was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro the year prior.
Clinton-Dix has also proven he’s durable. He has played all 16 games in each of his four seasons with the Packers, which is rare in the NFL.
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Clinton-Dix needs to play well this year, but I fully expect him to have a good season in Pettine’s defense.