Packers: 10 players who surprised in 2019 season

Pleasant surprises

Allen Lazard

Allen Lazard was a longshot to even make the team in training camp, but he’s emerged into the Packers’ unquestioned number two receiver pass-catcher behind Davante Adams. An undrafted second-year player out of Iowa State, Lazard is tall, strong, and has solid speed to go along with a huge catch radius. In many ways, he profiles similarly to Equanimeous St. Brown (who Brian Gutekunst probably regrets putting on injured reserve before trimming the roster to 53 players).

Most importantly, Lazard has earned Aaron Rodgers’ complete trust, proving to be a more consistent playmaker than both Valdes-Scantling and Allison. He’s played 46 percent of snaps or more in every game since his huge fourth-quarter touchdown against Detroit in Week 6, and he’ll be a critical part of the Packers’ offense in the postseason.

Bryan Bulaga and Elgton Jenkins

Bryan Bulaga has earned plenty of praise for his stellar, consistent performance this season, but it’s worth giving him another pat on the back here. He missed time in just a handful of games this season and stonewalled plenty of elite pass rushers in tandem with David Bakhtiari.

The Packers need to hope he can return from his Week 17 concussion for the playoffs. Regardless, Brian Gutekunst should seriously consider extending Bulaga before he becomes a free agent this offseason.

As a high second-round pick this year, Elgton Jenkins was expected to be an eventual quality starter. But few could have predicted that he would become this good, this quickly. He took over for Lane Taylor at left guard by Week 3 and has been excellent in both the run and pass game ever since.

Kevin King and Tramon Williams

Kevin King is far from a perfect cornerback. But in his third season, he’s developed into a decent starter. That’s progress worth celebrating. He played in 15 games this season, matching the combined total of his first two years with the Packers.

And he’s had some impressive flashes in those games, notching five interceptions and 15 passes defended. That includes impressive, game-changing picks in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, and in Week 16 against the Vikings once again.

King is still the Packers’ weakest starting corner, struggling mightily at times with in-breaking routes, double moves, and more. But he’s been available most of the season and made some huge plays, and Mike Pettine has stuck by him.

Meanwhile, not enough has been made of Tramon Williams’ success during his second stint with the Packers. He’s the oldest player on the team (turning 37 in March) and plays a position not forgiving of marginal declines in speed or athleticism.

Despite that, Williams has been a starter for the Packers all year long, ahead of both Brown and Jackson. In a fashion somewhat reminiscent of Charles Woodson, Williams was a stellar athlete earlier in his career and remains a good one now in his late 30s, while also making full use of his experience and football knowledge. All this while continuing to play cornerback, rather than safety. He’s set to be a free agent next year, but Gutekunst should certainly consider bringing him back for another season.