Green Bay Packers: 5 Most important players in 2018 sans Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is the most important part of the Green Bay Packers, but there are 52 other players on the team. Who are the most important heading into 2018?

For what has seemed like years, Aaron Rodgers has carried the Green Bay Packers. He has kept the team relevant as the team has ventured into the playoffs for years on end. This philosophy, unfortunately, became apparent last season when the Packers couldn’t be bailed out by Rodgers as he was sidelined for the majority of the year with a broken collarbone. This led to a 7-9 record and, for the first time since 2008, the team has to watch the playoffs from home.

There is some amazing talent on this team though. There always has been, it’s just the focus was always on Rodgers and what he was able to accomplish, at least from the mainstream media.

While this list will include some of the most talented on the roster, the focus is more on which players are the most important, the players who will play big roles in helping the Packers return to the playoffs and, hopefully, make a run for the Super Bowl.

5. Jimmy Graham, Tight End

In what was easily the biggest move this offseason, the Green Bay Packers acquired Jimmy Graham in free agency. However, the move corresponded with the Packers releasing longtime fan favorite Jordy Nelson.

Graham has a lot to prove in a Packers uniform. Forget the fact that many fans see him as Nelson’s replacement. Just last year, the front office brought in a big-name free agent tight end in Martellus Bennett and we all know how that played out.

His production hasn’t been the greatest lately either. In Seattle, Graham recorded career lows. Excluding his rookie season in 2010, Graham put up career lows in touchdowns and receptions with Seattle in 2015 and receiving yards in 2017.

The problems weren’t necessarily with Graham. The Seahawks run-first offense wasn’t a good fit for the tight end. When he is in a pass-first offense like the philosophy in Green Bay, Graham can and will put up numbers that we saw him record with New Orleans earlier this decade.

Graham and Aaron Rodgers always had a good relationship too. They always wanted to be on the same team and now they get that opportunity.

For the first time since the days of Jermichael Finley, the Packers offense may just have a reliable tight end threat. That’s a scary thought for any team that has to play the Green and Gold this year. If he can get going and put up numbers similar to his days in New Orleans, this Packers offense could be one of the best in the league once again.