Packers roster doesn’t have many weaknesses entering 2019 season

The Green Bay Packers roster doesn’t have many weaknesses entering the 2019 season.

For a team that lost more games than it won a year ago, that might be considered a bold statement. Rather, it’s a testament to the offseason work by general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Since taking over as GM in 2018, Gutekunst has been aggressive when trying to fix the weaknesses on the roster. While his first free agency class has been somewhat of a mixed bag, it’s hard not to be excited with the moves the team has made this year.

So let’s review the roster.

Take one look at the offense, and you’ll find elite players at quarterback, left tackle and wide receiver: Aaron Rodgers, David Bakhtiari and Davante Adams.

Wide receiver depth is perhaps a slight concern, although Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are more than talented enough to take on the second and third receiver jobs this season.

The offensive line has also been improved this offseason. Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga are excellent starters at tackle. And with Corey Linsley continuing to play at a high level at center, the only concern this offseason was at the two guard spots.

Gutekunst responded by signing Billy Turner, a player Aaron Rodgers called “a great addition for us” in an interview with NBC Sports’ Chris Simms. The Packers also added versatile lineman Elgton Jenkins on the second day of April’s draft.

Tight end might not be considered a major strength for the Packers, but it’s also far from a weakness with Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, rookie Jace Sternberger and young talent Robert Tonyan.

On the other side of the football, it’s the strong defensive line that leads the way thanks to star players Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels.

Concerns at edge rusher? No more. Gutekunst brought in Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency, and Rashan Gary with the draft’s 12th overall pick. And just like that, the Packers’ sack leader in 2018, Kyler Fackrell, is fourth on the depth chart.

Blake Martinez has brought consistent play at inside linebacker, something the defense needed for many years. And second-year Oren Burks could also see an expanded role in 2019.

One question mark is with the depth at cornerback. Can Kevin King stay healthy? Can Josh Jackson step up in year two? But the secondary is led by Jaire Alexander, a rising star entering his second season.

And perhaps the team’s biggest offseason overhaul came at safety, with the Packers replacing both starters with young talent: former Bears starter Adrian Amos and first-round pick Darnell Savage Jr. Amos and Savage form a potentially great duo, putting the Packers in a far healthier situation at safety than a year ago.

The roster isn’t perfect. No team has that luxury. Who will be the backup quarterback? We’ve already highlighted potential concerns with depth at receiver and cornerback.

But there are no serious concerns with the Packers’ roster. There’s no one position that stands out as a weakness for this team.

Of course, this is football. Things change quickly. Injuries happen. Sometimes players don’t play as well as we predict. But looking at this roster on paper ahead of the 2019 season, it sure looks like the Packers’ best in a number of years.

It hardly guarantees success, but an improved roster gives the Packers an opportunity to bounce back this year.