NFL Offseason 2019: Ranking the 5 most improved NFC teams

1. Green Bay Packers

After missing the playoffs in the past two season, the first time that’s happened since the 2005-06 campaigns, the Green Bay Packers did two things that the organization normally is not associated with heading into 2019. First was the Packers firing their former head coach Mike McCarthy and replacing him with Matt LaFleur. Secondly, they went into free agency and spent a lot of money. Both of those moves could have really propelled the Packers majorly.

In free agency, the Packers spent large amounts of money, which Green Bay was infamous for not doing for many years. But with new general manager Brian Gutekunst, it could be a new way of operating. The Packers made three big key pickups in free agency this year.

Green Bay added two very good edge rushers who can get after the quarterback in the form of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. The other huge pickup the Packers made was safety Adrian Amos, who they stole away from their biggest rival, the Chicago Bears. Amos is a top-10 safety in the league and should make an immediate huge impact on the Packers roster

The Packers also had an excellent draft, especially with their early picks. The one sub-standard pick that the Packers made was Rashan Gary. Gary isn’t a bad player by any means, but taking him at No. 12 was a bit of a reach.

Besides the Gary pick, the Packers made great selections, taking a great safety in Darnell Savage late in the first round. They also took Elgton Jenkins, who was one of the best — if not the best — interior offensive lineman in the class. Then, to top it all off, they took a very good tight end in Jace Sternberger in the third round.

2018 was a rough one for the Packers and their fans, but 2019 could truly be a turning of the page. With the Packers newest additions in free agency and the draft, the Packers could come out on top of the NFC North at the end of the 2019 season.