2015 NFL Predictions: NFC North Preview

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers: 

Key Additions: CB Damarious Randall, CB Quinten Rollins, WR Ty Montgomery, QB Brett Hundley 

If you didn’t notice, the four players listed above are four out the first five draft picks by the Packers and that is because they didn’t sign a single key player in free agency. CB was a need and they addressed it in the draft, though they were unable to get the three top rated CB’s.

Randall played safety in college, but the Packers seem to want to move him to cornerback. Rollins only played one season of college football as he was a point guard before that. Both CB’s are very athletic players. Montgomery is a decent pick, but won’t have much of an impact and Hundley will simply be a back up QB for Rodgers for many years to come.

Key Losses: WR Jarret Boykin, ILB A.J. Hawk, CB Tramon Williams, CB Davon House 

The Packers don’t get many players in free agency, but they also don’t let many leave. Boykin was jumped on the depth chart by Adams last season and therefore left the team.

Hawk was coming off an at best decent year and the Packers decided it was time to move in a different direction and that seems to be playing Matthews in the middle. At CB they lost two key players, which is why their first two picks were both CB’s. With Williams leaving, it is an end of an era and he will be difficult to replace. House didn’t play as big of a role, but he is a big and talented corner and signed for surprisingly big money in free agency.

May 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver

(18) gets ready during Rookie Orientation Camp and Organized Team Activities at the

Center in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Verdict: 

A key for the Packers was retaining Randle Cobb which means that they were able to keep together this great offense. Rodgers is the best QB in the NFL. Nelson and Cobb are great wide receivers and Adams seems to be developing into another good Green Bay wide receiver. The Packers also have a great running back in Eddie Lacy which makes the offense almost unstoppable. Lacy  would be even better if  the Packers would stop continuously running him out of the shotgun. The line is very average and a lot of its mistakes often get bailed out by the terrific Aaron Rodgers.

On defense the Packers struggled to stop the run last year and since the front seven hasn’t really changed, that could be an issue again this year. Good news is that B.J. Raji will be back and healthy this year. Boyd isn’t a very good defensive end and Daniels isn’t better than average either. Moving Matthews to inside linebacker will put a lot of pressure on Nick Perry to step up his game become a solid OLB opposite Peppers.

Young second year player Bradford will likely play next to Matthews in the middle. The secondary that was surprisingly good last year will have it tough this year. Hayward, Shields and Hyde are decent CB’s and Clinton Dix is showing a lot of promise, but I don’t think they will be nearly as good as the secondary last year.

Jul 30, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers practice during training camp at

Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: 

Best Case Record: 15-1

Worst Case Record: 11-5

Prediction: 14-2

Team’s Offensive MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers

Team’s Defensive MVP: LB Clay Matthews

Rookie Standout: CB Damarious Randall

The Packers were so close to making to the Super Bowl that they could have possibly won. Their offense is the best in the NFL, but the question will be if the defense can be decent enough to win. I think the best case scenario for the Packers is that they only drop one game. I think their schedule is too good to go 16-0, but this offense is good enough that it could go 15-1.

Worst case scenario is that they drop two in division and then lose against Seattle and a couple other teams from one of the West divisions. The Packers are going to be great once again as long as Aaron Rodgers and the other big name players can stay healthy.

Next: Final standings and conclusion