Packers: Five breakout candidates for 2020 season

1. Jace Sternberger

One player who could make a big second-year jump is tight end Jace Sternberger. The Packers used a third-round pick on Sternberger last year, but injury landed him on IR for the first half of the season. It’s never easy for rookie tight ends to make a significant impact, and his injury only made it harder.

But Sternberger showed plenty of potential during the limited time he did play, particularly late in the season.

He showed ability and willingness as a blocker. While we didn’t see much from Sternberger as a receiver, the potential is clearly there. He didn’t make a regular-season reception but caught all three of his passes for a total of 15 yards in the playoffs, including his first touchdown in the NFC Championship Game.

Sternberger was low on the depth chart this season but both Marcedes Lewis (free agent) and Jimmy Graham (cut candidate) could be gone in 2020. Either way, Sternberger is set for a bigger role in his second season. What’s important is to get valuable practice reps with Aaron Rodgers, which will help the two get on the same page more frequently.

The Packers need to, and will, add more pass-catching options for Rodgers this offseason, but don’t forget about Sternberger. The third-round pick can also be part of the solution on offense and could have a breakout season in 2020.