Green Bay Packers: Can the defense create turnovers in 2017?
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers defense produced 25 takeaways in 2016, 11th most in the NFL, but can a young unit duplicate that effort this season?
The Green Bay Packers were surprisingly proficient when it came to creating turnovers in 2016. Despite an extremely young defense, they managed to sit just outside the top 10 in the NFL in the category. In fact, their 25 takeaways were just eight away from the Kansas City Chiefs for best in the NFL. Green Bay finished the year with 17 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
The good news for the Packers is that their ballhawk is back. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix led the team with five interceptions, and even forced a fumble in 2016. After him, Micah Hyde and Damarious Randall had three interceptions each, while Morgan Burnett had two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
The Packers lost Hyde in the offseason, but have gained some other pieces. Rookies Kevin King and Josh Jones highlight the newcomers, while Aaron Taylor is definitely a name to watch.
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While the defensive line isn’t the most feared in the league, they do have some potential factors among them. Mike Daniels can cause problems, while Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry showed plenty of potential in 2016.
The linebacker corps can definitely create turnovers as well. Clay Matthews still has plenty left in the tanks, and Nick Perry is finally starting to pan out. Meanwhile, Blake Martinez and Joe Thomas are absolutely players to look out for.
The Packers somehow got even younger on defense coming into 2017. While the inexperience could hurt them, there’s plenty of upside as well. King and Jones will be very welcome additions to the secondary and could help create even more turnovers this season.
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Despite losing Hyde, the Packers defense is well equipped to get the ball back for their offense, one way or another.