Packers: 3 things to get excited about for the 2019 season
By Jesse Fry
The new and improved defense
Mike Pettine is going into his second year as defensive coordinator and has more talent than the Packers have had on that side of the ball in some time.
Brian Gutekunst spent big on the defense this offseason, as well as stacking the draft towards that side of the ball as well. With the moves that have been made, it’s easy to get excited.
Za’Darius and Preston Smith should improve the pass rush, and Adrian Amos is an assignment-sure, smart safety who should improve the communication on the back end. Rashan Gary is an athletic freak who can have multiple roles and Darnell Savage could be the piece the Packers have been missing. In addition, Keke Kingsley could be a middle-round steal in the mold of Mike Daniels.
Yet, there’s more reasons to be excited than the new additions.
Jaire Alexander is coming off a promising rookie year and looks like a prime candidate to have a second-year leap. Blake Martinez is steady and reliable in the middle and all reports out of OTAs, granted their done in shorts, have been nothing but positive on Oren Burks. Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark are as solid as a duo you can find in the middle, and Dean Lowry and Montravius Adams provide good rotational depth.
The combination of new comers and continued growth from players already on the team should be the right mix needed to get the Packers back in the top part of the defensive standings.
With all the recent draft stock invested on the defense as well as free agency, the Packers have a good balance of veteran and young talent. This could finally be the year the Packers post a top-10 defense.