Green Bay Packers
2017 Offense: 21st Overall (23rd Passing, 18th Running, 19th Scoring, 23rd YPP)
2017 Defense: 22nd overall (22 passing, 20th Running, 21st Scoring, 22nd YPP)
2018 Outlook:
OFFENSE: Even a casual NFL fan can tell you that as Rodgers goes, so do the Packers. In my opinion Rodgers is the best QB to ever lace it up. His TD/INT ratio, play making ability, and winning percentage despite McCarthy’s mediocre coaching, speak for themselves. The Packers definitely have the weapons to be a top 10 unit in the NFL.
They have the best QB in the game, a pretty diverse running back corps, a budding superstar WR in Adams, decent slot guy in Cobb, and a red zone monster in Jimmy Graham. The OL is above average when healthy.
DEFENSE: Gone are Dom Capers, his antiquated scheme and his toupee. This is a defense that has struggled to put consistent pressure on the opposing QB, and the coverage was far from stellar. The Packers have invested a ton of picks on Defensive backs recently, but with only mixed results. A big part of the problem is the fact that Green Bay lacks a bona fide pass rush.
Wilkerson and Daniels should be very good upfront, but, again who will bring the pressure? An aging Clay Mathews? The duo of Middle Linebackers in Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez may not be known to the average fan, but they both graded well, according to Pro Football Focus.
If the draft picks pan out, GB can finally boast a decent secondary. Jaire Alexander is super talented, as is Josh Jackson. They also re signed Tramon Williams, who had a renaissance of sorts with Arizona last year.
Overall, with better ball control on offense, a better scheme, and the improved personnel, The Packers should challenge for a Wild Card in the uber competitive NFC. If somehow the Vikings fail to gel quickly with the new QB and OC, the Packers can definitely make a push for the division.