Packers: NFC North offense rankings ahead of 2022 season
Do the Green Bay Packers have the NFC North’s best offense?
They did a year ago, but has that changed after losing Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling? Have the other teams done enough to catch up?
Here are our NFC North offensive power rankings ahead of the 2022 season:
1. Green Bay Packers
Key players: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Christian Watson
2021 ranking: 10th in NFL
Losing Davante Adams hurts, but given the choice of all four, I would still prefer to have the Packers’ offense over the other three in the division.
Aaron Rodgers is coming off consecutive MVP seasons, and he is supported by a dominant offensive line and one of the league’s best running back duos.
Green Bay does lack a clear WR1 or WR2, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have wide receiver talent. If Christian Watson can make an immediate impact, look out.
Even with the Packers taking a step back at wide receiver, their starting 11 on offense features four Pro Bowlers, including the reigning NFL MVP.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Key players: Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, Irv Smith Jr.
2021 ranking: 12th
Minnesota’s offense will look mostly the same in 2022.
The Vikings have an excellent running back-wide receiver trio of Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. All three are multi-time Pro Bowlers.
They will be hoping K.J. Osborn can build on his 655-yard, seven-touchdown season, and that Irv Smith Jr. can make an impact as he returns from injury.
With all the talent they have, the Vikings should easily be a top-10 offense. They fell short a year ago, but perhaps a new coaching staff will bring different results.
3. Detroit Lions
Key players: D’Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, T.J. Hockenson, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell
2021 ranking: 22nd
The Lions don’t yet have their long-term quarterback, but they are quietly building a strong supporting cast.
Detroit’s offensive line could be among the best in the NFL this season. A starting five of Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Penei Sewell is as good as any.
The Lions have an excellent wide receiver corps featuring Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, DJ Chark, and Josh Reynolds. They also have Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson.
If they had a great quarterback, this offense could be a top-five unit.
4. Chicago Bears
Key players: Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet, Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick
2021 ranking: 24th
The Bears haven’t done nearly enough to help out second-year quarterback Justin Fields.
Chicago does have a talented running back in David Montgomery, while wide receiver Darnell Mooney is coming off a 1,000-yard season.
There is some talent along the offensive line with Cody Whitehair and former Packer Lucas Patrick. The Bears will be hoping Teven Jenkins can make a bigger impact in year two after featuring in only six games as a rookie.
Chicago added some offensive line competition in the draft. That helps. But there are still big questions up front, and the Bears are incredibly thin at wide receiver.