Packers’ 5 biggest potential breakout stars in 2021

Third-year edge rusher can dominate in Packers defense

2. EDGE Rashan Gary

When the Packers drafted Rashan Gary, it was clear they were getting a player with incredible potential, but he needed time to develop his game.

“By year three, Gary has the upside to be a productive starter in a multi-front defense,” wrote The Draft Network’s Joe Marino in 2019.

Well, year three has arrived, and Gary has shown more than enough to believe he can take the next step in 2021. His performances late last season showed just how far he had come from his rookie year.

Shortly after the divisional round of the playoffs last season, Pro Football Focus tweeted that Gary had been their highest-graded edge defender since Week 16. This was coming off one of Gary’s best performances against the Los Angeles Rams when he made 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits, regularly pressuring Jared Goff.

Gary played a limited role in his rookie season but almost doubled his snap counts in year two. By season’s end, he showed he deserved to be in the starting lineup opposite Za’Darius Smith.

Gary took a big step in the second half of last season and was a game-changer for the Packers in the playoffs. Now entering year number three, Gary is set for a breakout season.