Packers: Offense can be most talented Aaron Rodgers has played in

The Green Bay Packers could have their deepest offense in Aaron Rodgers’ time as quarterback this season.

As we get closer to the first Sunday of the NFL’s regular season, one thing in particular really stands out about this Green Bay Packers team, and it’s the explosiveness of this offense.

When we think back to an Aaron Rodgers-led, high-powered offense, a few seasons come to mind. The first is the Super Bowl season in 2010, followed up by the 2011 season and most recently the 2014 season.

This year’s offense can be just as dynamic, if not more than these previous seasons.

Wide receivers

Even with the departure of Jordy Nelson, the Packers bring back three talented starters that have been with the team for a few years.

The first is Davante Adams, who even with a limited Brett Hundley at quarterback last year was able to put up 885 yards on the season and 10 touchdowns. Fans of the Packers know how special Adams can be, and I think this will be the season that the rest of the league finds out as well.

Randall Cobb may not be having the kind of seasons that many anticipated after his new contract a few years ago, but he is still a dynamic player. Once he can get healthy, he will be a great weapon in the slot for Rodgers and will be able to exploit defenders with his quickness. Last year was his lowest yards per catch stat line of his career but he still came in at 9.9 YPC, almost a first down every time he touched the ball. With Rodgers back under center we can expect Cobb’s stats to make a jump.

The third receiver returning is Geronimo Allison. He has shown continued growth in his game every year he’s been in the league and I don’t anticipate that to change this season. Most importantly for young receivers, he’s gained the trust of Rodgers who won’t shy away from Allison in big game situations. I expect this to be a breakout year for Geronimo with Rodgers back.

In addition to the veterans, the Packers have three rookie receivers they drafted this past April. Equanimeous St. Brown has shown reliable hands for the most part and can be another good slot option for this offense. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has shown his ability as a deep threat and is able to both find and catch the ball very well.

Even the struggling J’Mon Moore has shown some bright spots. He’s a terrific route runner and able to get open with ease, and once he begins to make those catches he will be a threat to defenses. We also can’t forget to mention Jake Kumerow, who has turned into a favorite of Aaron Rodgers and has put himself in great position to make the 53-man roster.

Running backs

Now let’s transition to the backfield that will be made up of Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery.

Williams, who has appeared to have taken the starting role this camp, brings a physicality to the position. He’s a hard runner but also has the ability to turn on the speed once in the open field.

He was able to put up 553 yards last season as a rookie while playing against defenses that loaded the box because they weren’t afraid of Hundley passing the ball. Williams has the potential to be a consistent 1,000-yard rusher.

Getting time in the backfield as well will be Aaron Jones. He is an electric runner that once in the open field is hard to chase down. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season with several long runs sprinkled in there. As he becomes better at catching the ball, the Packers have the ability to use him in many situations just as the Saints did with Alvin Kamara.

Lastly, the Pack can turn to Montgomery. Ty has shown his versatility by moving from WR to RB. He can provide a big body in short yardage situations as well as the trust of the team in big situations. Montgomery isn’t one likely to put the ball on the ground and can be put into big game situations when yards need to be gained and the clock needs to run.

This trio will provide Rodgers with potentially the best backfield he’s ever had in Green Bay. It will also be good to see Williams and Jones in the same backfield. Due to injuries last season, the two took limited snaps together in the same game. Their different running styles will prove to be troublesome for defenses.

Tight ends

Finally, we will take a look at the tight end position, one that has seemed to allude the Packers since the Jermichael Finley days. The acquisition of Jimmy Graham will prove to be a huge red zone target for Rodgers. Of his 69 career touchdown receptions, 55 have been in the red zone. We caught a glimpse in the second preseason game of how special of a connection Rodgers-to-Graham could be.

Graham has a body too big for defensive backs to cover, yet he’s too quick for most linebackers to keep up with him, creating defensive mismatches where ever he lines up. I think the production lost from Jordy Nelson will be made up for by Graham.

The Packers also picked up Marcedes Lewis from Jacksonville. Lewis is known around the league as a very good blocking tight end and will prove quite valuable to the Packers running game.

But even through the early preseason he’s shown his ability as a pass catcher as well. In his career, with limited quarterback play might I add, he’s accumulated over 4,500 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns. He will be another great weapon for Rodgers.

Top to bottom, going through the wide receivers, running backs and tight ends, I believe this is one of the deepest offensive teams Rodgers has ever had. He’s shown us he doesn’t need much to lead a team to playoffs and beyond. I expect this season to be an explosive one for this offense, putting up a lot of points, setting a few records, and winning a lot of games.