Green Bay Packers: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 season
The Packers will have a top-10 (or better) defense
On paper, the Green Bay Packers have improved considerably on defense. It all started with changing who was in charge of the defense. Dom Capers overstayed his welcome in Titletown. His schemes were easy to figure out and that allowed opposing offenses to have success with ease.
The players themselves knew that the defense was easily predictable, including former Packers cornerback Damarious Randall, who said this after a Week 9 game (via Packers Wire):
"“It seemed like Matthew Stafford knew everything we were in. It seemed like we were very predictable. It’s hard to beat an offense like that whenever the quarterback knows where to go with the ball before he snaps it.”"
Even Randall himself was apart of the defensive overhaul. Despite being the team leader in interceptions for 2017, the Packers traded him for DeShone Kizer.
The defensive line was already one of the best in the NFL last year. That unit got even scarier when the Packers were able to acquire Muhammad Wilkerson. Wilkerson, along with Mike Daniels and emerging star Kenny Clark, the Packers d-line is easily the strongest group on defense.
The secondary, ultimately the Packers weakness on defense for the last couple of years improved the most. Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson were taken with the Packers first two draft picks. They have looked amazing in the preseason.
One issue was always relying on rookies and young players on defense, but adding Tramon Williams negates that idea. He will not only be the Packers number one corner, but he will be a role model for Jackson, Alexander and all the other young players on this team.
The weakness is by far the linebacking corps. Jake Ryan is out for the year and Clay Matthews and Nick Perry haven’t put up expected numbers for a while now. If Oren Burks and Reggie Gilbert step up, everything will be fine. But relying on younger players has been the downfall of past defenses.
This is a new Packers defense. A new swagger, new philosophy, and new talent. The Packers have a legitimate shot of being a top ten defense in 2018.