Jaire is the only one i left out. The others did ok to good to start off but didnt make an immediate impact at a high level. I should of rephrase it as a blue collar player in a weak position of need (ie LB, WR, CB, pass rusher). Packers o line flaws have been covered up by the high play of Rodgers most of his career.
Originally Posted by: bboystyle
Bryan Bulaga didn't miss a beat when Mark Tauscher went down with an injury in week 4. Bulaga started the rest of the year on a team that won the Super Bowl. Hard to say he wasn't impactful. Taucher was getting up in age (as was Chad Clifton) and T was a clear need going into the draft. Bulaga was taken in the 1st round, 4th tackle off the board (2nd RT). Made the all-rookie team and was the youngest player to ever start in a Super Bowl.
Casey Hayward didn't need to start because the Packers had Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams, but he was nonetheless exceptional in his rookie year (PFF grade of 92.2). 6 INTs, 1 FF, got a few votes for defensive rookie of the year.
Eddie Lacy rushed for nearly 1200 yards and had 11 TDs his rookie year. He immediately established himself as one of the top RBs in the league, going to the Pro Bowl and getting 2nd-team All-Pro honors. The year prior the Packers trotted out broken-down versions of Cedric Benson, Ryan Grant, and James Starks. RB was a major need, Lacy was a blue-chip guy from Alabama drafted in the 2nd round - his rookie year fits your criteria to a tee.
David Bahktari replaced the garbage fire that was Marshall Newhouse at the 2nd most important position on offense. Another huge need, Bahktari brought stability to the OL that the packers hadn't had in 3 years.
Corey Linsley was so good that they traded the (also very good) center they drafted the prior year (J.C. Tretter).
Jaire - yeah, nothing needed to say there.
The Packers started Byron Bell at guard in 2018 and he was awful - G was a need. All Elgton Jinkins did in his rookie year was start 14 games and establish himself as one of the best young offensive linemen in the league.
In 2020 the Packers started Kevin King, corner was obviously a need. In 2021 Jaire missed the majority of the season. Eric Stokes got thrown at a LOT and managed an absurd completion rate of 51%. Position of need, blue-chip guy, had a great year. Check, check, check.