Packers defense can be dominant in 2021 with good draft
By Joe Chambers
The Green Bay Packers‘ 2020 season was one to remember.
Not just because of the coronavirus, but due to their defense. According to Rob Reischel of Forbes.com, the Packers finishing with a top 10 defense last season was the first time since they won the Super Bowl in 2010.
Hard to believe for a team that has made the playoffs eight times since their Super Bowl win and within those eight playoff appearances, the Packers made it to the NFC Championship game four times (2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020) and lost all four. In 2021, the defense stepped up for the Packers.
Green Bay’s defense has struggled in years past for many reasons. For starters, the year after their Super Bowl winning season in 2010, they were last in the league in yards allowed per game. Defense is huge in helping you win championships and these statistics show why Green Bay had their best chance in years (in my opinion) to win the NFC Championship game in 2020.
With Covid causing some players on both sides of the ball to have to sit a game or two due to Covid-19 protocols, each game was challenging and caused lots of last-minute adjustments.
If you’re looking for a player who really stepped up big for the Packers was Adrian Amos. In his second season with the Packers, Amos started all 16 games.
He had 65 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, four TFLs, and three QB hits. Amos, whose primary position is free safety, only allowed 11 receiving yards per reception allowed. This statistic speaks volumes as some safeties have trouble being able to guard receivers who break away from the cornerbacks.
Having played four seasons with division-rival Chicago Bears, in his two seasons with the Packers, he has 19 more tackles than he did with his first two seasons with the Bears. He averaged 3.91 tackles per game throughout his four seasons with the Bears and in his first two seasons with Chicago, he averaged 3.67 tackles per game. He averaged 4.15 tackles per game in his first two seasons with Green Bay.
The Packers still have a lot to improve upon in 2021. In the NFL Draft, they may go for more defensive players to finish in the top five at the end of the 2021 season. Whether it’s a defensive end, linebacker, corner, or a safety, they have potential to make an immediate impact. If the Packers can improve their defense in the draft, they will be a force to be reckoned with.