Green Bay Packers: Top 5 Breakout candidates for 2020 season

By Joe Kipp | Jun 13, 2020

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Aaron Rodgers #12 and Jace Sternberger #87 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of the NFC Championship game at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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Green Bay Packers, Rashan Gary (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Rashan Gary, OLB

The Packers didn’t receive the type of production they may have desired from outside linebacker Rashan Gary as a rookie last season. The 12th overall pick played just 244 defensive snaps. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games but recorded just 21 total tackles (13 solo), three quarterback hits and two sacks.

It could be argued that Gary didn’t have to be the star the Packers drafted him to be last season, though. After all, the defense racked up 25.5 sacks courtesy of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, alone. That said, Gary taking a major leap forward in Year 2 would only help propel Green Bay’s defense into another echelon.

One of the most athletic players ever at the outside linebacker position (4.58-second 40-yard dash at 277 pounds), Gary just needs to refine his technique and patience as a pass-rusher. In college at Michigan, he often relied on his raw athleticism to beat offensive linemen. In the NFL, that strategy rarely works.

All offseason we’ve heard defensive coordinator Mike Pettine talk about the prospect of Gary being a major contributor in 2020. Having a full offseason to get healthy (Gary dealt with a shoulder injury last season which stems back to Michigan) only helps his potential as a breakout candidate.

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