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NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-mandatory minicamp edition

By Randy Gurzi

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots prepares to take a snap in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots prepares to take a snap in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Rashan Gary of Michigan checks his time after running the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Rashan Gary of Michigan checks his time after running the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

11. Green Bay Packers (16)

Injuries to Aaron Rodgers derailed the past two seasons for the Green Bay Packers. In 2017, he missed nine games and the team was unsuccessful with Brett Hundley filling in for No. 12. This past season, he didn’t miss any games but a leg injury suffered in Week 1 seemed to slow him down quite a bit.

Rodgers still finished with some insane numbers as he had 4,442 yards with 25 touchdowns against just two picks, but the wins weren’t there. Rodgers and the Packers were 6-9-1 on the season, which was his worst year since 2008 when he first took over for Brett Favre.

Green Bay also had to deal with an in-season coaching change as Mike McCarthy was relieved of his duties. They ended up settling on Matt LaFleur as a replacement, but there were reports of concern about how Rodgers would handle the new coach. Those may have been false reports, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. As is the receiver corps as they didn’t retain Randall Cobb who headed to Dallas to join the Cowboys.

The good news is, the Packers bolstered their defense to try and give Rodgers some help. They added Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency as well as Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage in the draft. As of now, the return to health of Rodgers and the revamped defense has them as the favorites in the NFC North — but only slightly.

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