How Much Will The Packers’ Sophomores Impact the Team?

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

2 years ago

Eric Stokes
Stokes was almost universally panned as a selection and then outperformed all expectations. He was a reliable number 2 corner for most of the season and has the make up speed that 99% of NFL corners can only dream of.

I wonder if Stokes outperformed in his first year and may take a step back in year 2. NFL teams didn’t attack his weaknesses all that much and he was able to use his speed to cover up some mistakes. More tape on him may mean more targets.

I hope Stokes gets some time in the slot. He showed a willingness to tackle last season and certainly has the quicks and size to stick with slot receivers.

Josh Myers
Myers was having a pretty solid season before getting hurt. He is big for a center and was reportedly drafted to add a little more power to the interior of the o-line. This years’ pick of Sean Rhyan was made for similar reasons.

Looks for Myers to take a step forward with a better handle on the offense and get excited for him to double team defensive tackles with Rhyan.

Amari Rodgers
Rodgers was an exciting pick and then a meh/10 as a player. Many fans have already written him off, but they must’ve forgotten Davante Adams first two seasons.

Adams was justifiably nicknamed Dropvante by many fans. Wide receiver can be a hard transition for players who played in a more spread style offense in college and aren’t truly great athletes.

Rodgers may have lost his chance with the drafting of three receivers who can duplicate everything he can do in the offense. His best bet at a legitimate NFL career may be a position change to running back, but that spot may be even more crowded on the Packers’ depth chart.

Don’t be surprised if Rodgers impresses this season and is a slot stalwart by year’s end. Don’t be surprised if he has a poor camp and is shipped to the Jets for Denzel Mims at the end of training camp.

TJ Slaton
Slaton could be the key to the Packers’ defense evolving. Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt can wreak havoc rushing the passer one-on-one against a guard if Slaton is able to absorb a double team on the nose.

A d-line with three guys who can beat blocks consistently and free up the linebackers to roam would be at least two guys better than it was last year. It would allow Joe Barry to devote more resources to stopping the pass without having to worry about the run. A three-man line with Clark/Wyatt/Slaton could be flanked by Gary and Walker with Campbell in the middle. That grouping could potentially pressure the passer consistently and stop the run all while allowing five defensive backs to take care of the pass.

Shemar Jean-Charles
Jean-Charles didn’t do much his rookie year and only had a few snaps on defense. His best hope at impacting the defense in his second year may be by proving he can play the third safety spot. If Jean-Charles can reliably defend the deep zones, Amos and Savage can play closer to the line of scrimmage.

It’s also possible that Jean-Charles could secure a niche as slot corner. It’s unlikely that he would beat out any of one of the big three corners on the team, but he could play in dime or if there’s an injury.

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Mucky Tundra
Veteran Member

2 years ago

This is an interesting topic.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

Stokes: This is actually something I've wondered as well: will teams find weaknesses in his game with a season of tape on him? I wouldn't be surprised if he gives up some plays but I think if he puts the work in this offseason and his speed it shouldn't be too big an issue.

Rodgers: I actually think Rodgers is the key to the WR corps this year. We know what Lazard and Cobb look like in the offense. We know that Watkins is solid if unspectacular when healthy. If Rodgers can play well, then it would lessen the load on Watson and Doubs to contribute right off the bat. If one of the rookie WRs can play well along with Rodgers, then the offense should be alright throwing the ball.

“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”

"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers

PackersNation
Registered

2 years ago

I think Royce Newman and Isaiah McDuffie should be added to the how much will the sophs impact the Packers discussion.

Newman will find a lot of competition in trying to secure a starting spot on the OL this year. I won't be betting against him though.

McDuffie is valuable depth that will push for playing time as well.

And Kylin Hill will be looking to make a name for himself in the RB room.

To me, this conversation just shows another great draft by Gute in 2021.

The best GM in the league. Some haters will disagree...I really don't care.😏

Martha Careful
Member

2 years ago

Stokes: Even if he has the kind of year he had last year, or a slight regression, with Alexander back and with Douglas there, we should be dynamite at CB. An outstanding pick

Rodgers: To be frank, the drops weren't as big of a problem to me as he seems to be 'game slow' I did not see him get open often and when he did opposing dbs closed rather quickly. I am not confident he will even make the team.

Newman: looked like Tarzan in pre-season, Jane in regular season. He consistently blew assignments on blitzes. I know it is tough for a rookie, but when Jenkins is back, if not before, he is on the bench.

Slaton: I actually think there will be a big step up for him this year. With the kid for GA, Clark and Lowry, we should have a decent interior line for a change. Further, if we could pick up a vet with an incentive laden contract, even better.

The other guys are just guys....I am not as big of a fan of this draft as PN

Go Packers!!!!

PackersNation
Registered

2 years ago

..I am not as big of a fan of this draft as PN

Originally Posted by: Martha Careful

While, the 2021 draft can't be fully judged until 2024. It is indeed looking like a quality draft so far. If you just look at Stokes and Myers it has already provided great impact. Yes, Myers got injured but showed he is a stud center. Is the near lock to be the starting center again this year.

You can hate on Newman all you want, but the fact is the coaches felt he was good enough to start most of the season. Others could have taken his spot earlier, it wasn't desperation that he won the job. Did he have his moments where he got beat? Yes. Did every OL? Yes. Runyan wasn't perfect either. Elgton will play LG or RT when he returns. Newman has no shot at either of those spots. Newman will fight again for the RG spot, which will be hotly contested.

Amari Rodgers was buried on the depth chart all season. Barely got a look at WR. You can't be seriously judging him off a lackluster special teams performance this past year? Most of his return issues were because of poor scheme by Mo Drayton. Mo had no clue what he was doing, and the players suffered trying to follow his lead. The fact LaFleur didn't step in and fire Drayton at mid-season is perhaps what cost the Pack a Lombardi last year. Very disturbing situation that was. LaFleur corrected it too late.

McDuffie looks like a player at ILB. No reason to imply he sucks just because he didn't get a lot of playing time. He is a very valuable backup and pushing for snaps. Watch him closely in camp and pre-season games. You will like what you see. Gute doesn't keep "just guys" around for no reason. He will cut ties with those he actually missed on. Every GM misses on a player at times. The best ones hit more than miss. That has been Gute since he took over in 2018.

Kylin Hill is a favorite of the coaching staff. They love his skills. No, he isn't going to start over Jonesy and Dillon, but a valuable piece of the RB room. It would be shocking if he doesn't make the squad.

I agree with you on T.J. Slaton. You spoke of adding a vet to the DL. They already did in signing Jarran Reed in March. Another great pickup by Gute! Best GM in the NFL!

nerdmann
Premier Member

2 years ago

Royce played better later in the season. He was a rookie struggling with stunts and blitz pickups. There was a learning curve, which he overcame.

It's not like he was getting overpowered.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

PackersNation
Registered

2 years ago

Royce played better later in the season. He was a rookie struggling with stunts and blitz pickups. There was a learning curve, which he overcame.

It's not like he was getting overpowered.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann

Great post nerdmann. You have really impressed me lately.

Assuming Elgton is back by week 1. What is your starting five on the OL?

So many battles yet to be had in camp, but I still feel the coaches will put the best five out there and that will be:

LT- Bakh

LG- Elgton

C- Myers

RG- Runyan

RT- Yosh

The coaches will feel Runyan is too good to keep off the field. Yes, he can play RG. He was good at LG, but just because that is where he was needed most. He can also play tackle in a pinch. I think he beats out Royce for RG. Runyan is one of the top 5 and he not beating out Elgton at LG. I don't count out Royce or Rhyan at RG though. Will be a war. I just feel Runyan will win the war. The others are depth at multiple spots. Great problems to have.

earthquake
Member

2 years ago

I was curious so I had a look at the PFF ratings.

Elgton Jenkins - 82.1
Billy Turner - 66.2
Jon Runyan - 65.1
Yosh Nijman - 63.2
Josh Myers - 58.3
Lucas Patrick - 57.2
Royce Newman - 55.7

Ignoring the rookies for now, if everyone is healthy the top 5 seems to be:

Bahktari - Jenkins - Myers - Runyan - Nijman

I’m excited to see if Newman progresses in year 2, but even if he does, he might be the 4th best guard on the roster (again, assuming everyone is healthy), behind Jenkins, Runyan, and Sean Rhyan.

If Jenkins starts on PUP I imagine it will be Runyan vs Rhyan for the starting spot opposite Runyan on opening day, which will be the top backup spot when Jenkins (likely) resumes his natural position at LG.

PS: Runyan went from 53.8 as a rookie to 65.1 as a second-year player - let’s hope for a similar jump from Myers and Newman in year two.

It would be interesting to see how Newman graded out as the season progressed.

blank

PackersNation
Registered

2 years ago

Newman might be the 4th best guard on the roster (again, assuming everyone is healthy), behind Jenkins, Runyan, and Sean Rhyan.

Originally Posted by: earthquake

I don't know that one should be placing Rhyan ahead of Royce before Rhyan even has one padded practice in the NFL. Royce Newman has proven he can play and start in this league. Rhyan has not. Let's slow the roll on putting rooks ahead of Newman.

nerdmann
Premier Member

2 years ago

#10

Only question for me is at RT. Open competition will answer that for us.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

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