Packers: Important third season for 2018 draft class

It’s an important third season for the Packers’ 2018 draft class.

Outside of one player, Brian Gutekunst’s first draft class as Green Bay Packers general manager has been underwhelming.

But we’re only two seasons in and a lot can change.

That’s why the 2020 season will be an important one for this draft class.

Jaire Alexander the star of the class

First-round pick Jaire Alexander has shown why the Packers traded up for him. Alexander has started 27 games in his first two seasons, making 28 pass defenses, three interceptions, and 124 tackles in that time.

He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018 and has been a rising star in Mike Pettine’s defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Alexander forced 20 incompletions last season, second-most among cornerbacks.

If Alexander continues to improve, he can be a star.

Make-or-break year for Josh Jackson and Oren Burks

Unfortunately, outside of Alexander, there so far hasn’t been much to get excited about in this draft class.

Josh Jackson was highly-rated entering the NFL but, so far, it hasn’t worked out. According to Pro Football Reference, he played on just 10 percent of the defensive snaps last season.

It’s a similar situation for Oren Burks. Despite all of the Packers’ issues at inside linebacker, Burks couldn’t get on the field, playing on six percent of the defensive snaps in 2019.

This is a make-or-break year for both players.

The three wide receivers drafted

None of the three wide receivers have yet made a significant impact.

J’Mon Moore is no longer on the team. Marquez Valdes-Scantling made a good start to 2019 but then barely made a catch late in the season. Equanimeous St. Brown missed all of 2019, so this will be a big year for him.

The Packers will be hoping MVS and St. Brown can make a jump in their third seasons. The Packers need some consistency at wide receiver to give Davante Adams more help.