Green Bay Packers: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

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This offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the organization opened up the checkbooks during free agency and added the likes of outside linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith and safety Adrian Amos. With a pair of first-round draft choices at his disposal, the club’s executive drafted outside linebacker Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage Jr. in late April.

That was good news for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, now in his second year on the job. To be fair, his first season with the club was less than successful. Then again, he inherited a group that has struggled for any number of years. Especially as of late.

The team has used its share of early draft choices on defense the last few years and this unit had not progressed. In each of the past three seasons dating back to 2016, the Packers have surrendered at least 40 offensive touchdowns.

A year ago, Green Bay ranked 18th in the league in total yards allowed and was 22nn vs. the run. The club gave up 15 scores on the ground and another 30 through the air. And a team once known for its big-play ability on the defensive side of the ball could only come up with 15 takeaways, tied for the third-fewest in the NFL in ’18.

If the Packers are to rebound this season, they will need some standout performances from some of their new faces on defense.