Crucial veteran additions: TE Jimmy Graham, QB DeShone Kizer, DT Muhammad Wilkerson, DB Tramon Williams, TE Marcedes Lewis
Crucial veteran losses: WR Jordy Nelson, S Morgan Burnett, LB Joe Thomas
What improved?
Tight ends. Last season, Martellus Bennett was brought in to replace Jared Cook—who departed for Oakland in the 2017 free agency—as the athletic, pass-catching tight end in Mike McCarthy’s offense, but played just seven games last season before ultimately retiring. Green Bay signed two veterans, Jimmy Graham, who will be that athletic, No. 1 tight end; and Marcedes Lewis, who is a great blocking tight end.
What needs work?
Green Bay signaled their most important area for improvement in their top two draft picks—cornerback Jaire Alexander in the first round and cornerback Josh Jackson in the second. By drafting two highly-touted cornerback prospects, there’s a better chance that one of them will pan out. Green Bay also signed veterans Tramon Williams and Davon House to round out the depth in the secondary. This is an area the Packers have to get right if they want to maximize Aaron Rodgers’s championship window.
What can we expect?
A healthy Aaron Rodgers with a new weapon in Jimmy Graham should lead the Packers return to their usual playoff berth.
Fact/tidbit/piece of news learned from OTAs/minicamps
Last season, running back Ty Montgomery played just eight games and was placed on injured reserve after struggling with rib and wrist injuries. In his absence, rookie running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams emerged as viable options, so much that by the end of the season, it looked like Montgomery could be phased out of the Packers plans on offense. Per offseason practice reports, Montgomery was frequently used in no-huddle and two-minute drills, and head coach Mike McCarthy told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky that he plans to handle running back by committee this season, until someone proves themselves to be the full-time guy. That could still be Montgomery.
GRADE: B
If the additions to the secondary pan out, this Green Bay defense will be able to support Rodgers’s dominance.
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Kalyn Kahler wrote: