Green Bay Packers: 5 Players to Watch in Week 2 vs Vikings

4. LG Lane Taylor

The Packers released three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton earlier in September, and Lane Taylor has been moved in as his replacement after signing a two-year, $4.5 million deal in March. Taylor is the weakest link in the line. He’s only started in three total games. Two of those three were in 2015 and he struggled in pass protection, allowing seven hurries in 148 snaps.

As a whole, the Packers offensive line did a passable job (pun intended) against the Jaguars. They’ll have to step things up to the next level against the Vikings defense this Sunday. The offensive line gave up six quarterback hurries, half of which were due to mistakes by Taylor. They managed to let Rodgers escape without a single hit or sack.

The Jaguars defense is not as good as the Vikings and, although the line managed to hold keep Rodgers safe with some glue and tape, they will have to step up their blocking to give Rodgers more time in the pocket against Minnesota. Even though Rodgers is completely capable of scrambling away from defenders, he still needs the protection of his line. If Taylor can block against the Vikings elite tackles (Sharrif Floyd and Linval Joseph) he’ll give the Pack a decent shot at a win.

Next: No. 3 Daniels