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Five things worth watching as Packers play out 2018 string

By Kevin Culligan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Green Bay Packers catches the ball as he is hit by Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Green Bay Packers catches the ball as he is hit by Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 02: Josh Jones #27 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after recording a sack during the first half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 02: Josh Jones #27 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after recording a sack during the first half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Josh Jones

Josh Jones is one of the best all-around athletes on the Packers’ roster. Through nearly two seasons, he’s mostly been resigned to showing that on special teams.

But with the trade of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and the injury to Kentrell Brice, Jones is now getting a valuable opportunity that he can be more than just a defensive Jeff Janis.

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Jones is exactly the type of player who should be benefitting most from the switch to Mike Pettine. Dom Capers’ defense often left players looking confusedly toward Morgan Burnett while the ball was snapped. Pettine has done a better job of keeping the players on the same page while maintaining a variable, attacking mentality.

Jones has too often looked like a fast linebacker, rather than a big safety, in his short career. He’s excelled moving forward as a pass rusher and in run defense, and has even made some nice plays covering tight ends man-to-man. He hasn’t seen the field until forced to, though, because the coaches don’t trust him on the back end to be in the right place at the right time and play the football in the air.

Safety is undoubtedly a need for the Packers this offseason. But if Jones proves to be a competent strong safety in these last four games, the position won’t be quite as dire for Gutekunst to address.

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