2021 Packers Stock Report: Week 5
Take a look at the Green Bay Packers stock report for Week 5 after a wild 25-22 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
By GunnarDavis
I think we, as Packers fans, can all collectively agree that Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals was one of the wildest games of football we’ve ever seen.
Five missed field goals and a missed extra point later, the Green Bay Packers came away with a 25-22 win that improved the squad to 4-1 on the season.
Let’s all take a deep breath… and get into the stock report for the Week 5.
BUY
Running backs- A bright spot on Sunday was how well both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon played. Even Kylin Hill got some offensive snaps. Jones rushed 14 times for 103 yards, including a nasty 57-yard run late in the game where he just defenders just look plain silly. Dillon caught his first career touchdown pass and was incredibly efficient when Jones needed a breather. This 1-2 punch is proving to be everything we could’ve hoped for.
Davante Adams- The best receiver in the National Football League. I don’t care about your arguments for who might be better, just as good, yada yada yada… Adams makes defensive backs look silly, and is always in the right spot for Aaron Rodgers to find him. He went off, finishing with a career-high 206 yards and a touchdown. As the season goes on, Adams’ stock will continue to rise as he separates himself statistically from all of the best pass-catchers in the league.
De’Vondre Campbell- De’Vondre Campbell is starting to get attention from outside the Packers blogosphere. That’s how good he’s been. He’s one of the highest graded inside linebackers in both the pass and run. He’s recorded three turnovers in five games, which is just as many as he had in his career before the 2021 season started. Campbell came up clutch with an interception in overtime, and some key open-field tackles earlier in the game. He’s been one of the best Brian Gutekunst pickups in recent memory, with how cheap his deal is, paired with how well he’s played.
SELL
Red zone deficiencies- Both the offense and the defense have struggled in the red zone this season. Although the defense has trended in the right direction in most areas, red zone coverage isn’t one of them. The Packers defense has given up 13 touchdowns in 13 red zones defended. Offensively, the Packers rank 27th in touchdown efficiency inside the 20-yard line (55%). Normally, Matt LaFleur and the offensive staff are incredibly successful inside the red zone. But it hasn’t been the case up to this point. Better play in the red zone will be key for the Packers moving forward.
Equanimeous St. Brown- I think it’s been easy to see why Equanimeous St. Brown has been a practice squad player up to this point. He’s got plenty of potential and talent, but he just seemed a little lost on Sunday. Whether it was struggling to get lined up correctly, or missing a key block on a swing pass, St. Brown didn’t wake up with his piss hot (Get it?). St. Brown will likely be kept on the practice squad once Marquez Valdes-Scantling returns. Sell.
HOLD
Mason Crosby- I put up a Twitter poll asking if Mason Crosby’s stock was a “buy” or “sell” this week, and the results were nearly split down the middle. On one hand, he missed an extra point and three field goals – a couple of which could’ve led to a loss. On the other, he was a model of consistency up until the Bengals game, and did come through with a game-winner at the end. So, for now, I’ll keep him as a hold. Do I think he’ll have another bad game next week? His history of consistency says no. Do I think his stock took a hit after Sunday’s performance? Yes. But don’t sell. We’ll need Crosby later in the season. He will come through later in the season.
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Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.
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Comments (45)
Coldworld
October 13, 2021 at 12:25 pm
I don’t see why ESB has been up in MVS’s absence (or before). He surely isn’t our next best ST player and I’d be just fine with his snaps going to Taylor or Rodgers. Now the only way he is active is a covid list visit by a roster player or full promotion. Neither are desirable.
mattgsx
October 13, 2021 at 03:00 pm
I don't get this either. Taylor has been reliable when called on, and Winfree is also on the PS. We dont see practice, but for me the ship has sailed on EQ.
jont
October 13, 2021 at 12:39 pm
An inside linebacker high on the list of Packer positives. Who would've thought this possible at any time in the past few years?
Clearly a good signing, and taking a one year prove-it contract will pay off for him.
mattgsx
October 13, 2021 at 04:50 pm
Campbell has become one of the biggest 2022 priority resignings to me. Its the least sexy position in football behind right guard and long snapper, but oh my goodness what a difference a skilled ILB makes.
LambeauPlain
October 13, 2021 at 01:17 pm
Sell, Sell, Sell - STs and Drayton. They are not improving...they are regressing, if that was possible.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 02:23 pm
So, I just watched our special teams win the game at the final gun two out of the last three weeks. You, obviously, saw something different. What games did we lose because of poor special teams play?
LambeauPlain
October 13, 2021 at 05:39 pm
A missed extra point, 3 missed FGs, a punt shanked to midfield that led to a TD, long returns to flip the field and stress the D, virtually no return game (can't block a feather)...yeah, STs are helping the Pack win games.
SMH.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 06:14 pm
Incomplete passes, runs for no gain, turnovers….yeah, the offense blah blah blah.
When we kick a FG at the end of a game to win it, you don’t consider that as helping us win? Nonsense.
13TimeChamps
October 13, 2021 at 07:05 pm
"A missed extra point, 3 missed FGs, a punt shanked to midfield that led to a TD, long returns to flip the field and stress the D, virtually no return game".
Throw in a 44 yard kickoff return as well.
Play 10 games in a row with that type of ST play....you're going to lose at least 8 of them. They got lucky this time. To point this out on here is hardly "nonsense". Only a homer with zero objective perspective would think that.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 09:10 pm
You don’t like it when I call you Princess; try to remember that when you call me “a homer with zero objective perspective “. I try to ignore you, but I won’t let insults like that slide. Especially from a fool that I provoked into an ALL CAPS CURSING MELTDOWN.
And of course, as usual, you missed the point, which is that it is nonsense to say that the special teams aren’t a contributing factor in a game that was decided by a FG!!! THAT is nonsense.
13TimeChamps
October 13, 2021 at 11:30 pm
I could give a rat's ass what you call me. Name calling bullies who hide behind their computer screens are truly pathetic.
An ALL CAPS CURSING MELTDOWN. I think you have me confused with someone else who isn't impressed with your juvenile tough guy silly avatar.
You insulted my wife in previous posts. That's an insult I'll never let slide.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 11:58 pm
You seriously don’t remember you did that?
Leatherhead
October 14, 2021 at 10:43 am
You are a name calling bully hiding behind your computer screen. And you’re too mentally ill to realize it.
13TimeChamps
October 14, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Take your own advice and ignore me. And stop copying everything I post. You're a clown...and not in a funny way.
Leatherhead
October 14, 2021 at 12:51 pm
I do ignore you, because you’re mentally ill. But when you openly lie about what I said, and insult me, then I can’t ignore that.
If I go to Arizona to watch the Packers and Cards, will you meet me? I’d love to give you the opportunity to say some of this stuff to my face.
13TimeChamps
October 14, 2021 at 01:23 pm
Sure, send me a ticket and we'll meet up. First class would be nice. Probably not Southwest though as they seem to be having issues at the moment. Do I get a ticket to the game too?
Remind me again when I ever lied about anything. As far as the insults, those started with you, including you insulting my wife. I would never bring any of your family members into this, regardless of the incredibly low opinion I have of you.
Now go bother someone else Bozo. This is getting boring.
egbertsouse
October 13, 2021 at 07:38 pm
The Packers won so the special teams are great. Don’t you ever get embarrassed spouting crap like that ?
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 08:31 pm
Who said they were great? Only you.
How many games have we lost under LaFleur where poor special teams play was a contributing factor?
How many times has good special teams play helped us win?
splitpea1
October 13, 2021 at 02:25 pm
Avoid, but we can't: Kevin King, the most frustrating stock on the Big Board. He had a pretty good game, but naturally he got injured and his status is up in the air. He kind of reminds of of a fickle vending machine; sometimes you get the candy bar, and sometimes the candy bar gets stuck in its holder and the only thing that gets eaten is your money....
Rent: Pettine for his red zone defense; in 2020 and 2019, the Packers finished 5th and 10th respectively. So maybe Barry should study some film and get this figured out.
Buy: Campbell and K. Clark, stubbornly glued to the buy list--good!
Hold (but don't get caught): O-line. Reasonably good job against the Bengals, going to need an encore performance (if not better) against the Bears, who lead the league in sacks.
Hold: Lazard. Sooner or later, he'll get his opportunities--once AR can take his eyes off Adams and Cobb. Maybe this is the game.
Tundraboy
October 13, 2021 at 01:31 pm
Bringing up ESB and playing him was just bizarre. More so if you have Taylor and Rodgers. and other areas to bolster on D.
Coldworld
October 13, 2021 at 05:13 pm
Well now they have elevated him full time. Perhaps the most frustrating move so far.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 01:38 pm
Vikings CB, and ex-Packer, Breshard Breeland, has really stepped in it.
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Coldworld, I’ve seen a lot of “why ESB?” , and I’m going to take a stab at it.
ESB, MVS, Lazard, and Adams all have contracts that expire at the end of the season, and decisions about next year’s WR unit will have to be made.
The Packers have already made a big investment in ESB, and they want to be certain that they’ve given him every possible opportunity to succeed before they part company. The injury to MVS has given the Packers an opportunity to take one last look. That’s why he got called up, not Turner.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 01:41 pm
Double
greengold
October 13, 2021 at 04:05 pm
Fair.
Coldworld
October 13, 2021 at 05:19 pm
ESB was released, so his original contract is defunct. They usually sign PS players who are elevated to a 2 year, no guarantee deal I believe. For me, having ESB around has been a negative thus far. Perhaps he will change his spots, but so far he’s tended to confirm why he was released, not the opposite.
jurp
October 14, 2021 at 07:43 am
We should see if the Lions will take him off our hands - they can join him with his brother and maybe get one serviceable receiver out of the combination.
Tundraboy
October 13, 2021 at 06:30 pm
I see your point but I think everyone knows that what we see that ESB is right now isn’t going to change anytime soon.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 01:43 pm
Double do
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 01:53 pm
Damn it
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 01:54 pm
Last one
PatrickGB
October 13, 2021 at 05:37 pm
That’s ok.
Gman1976
October 13, 2021 at 03:36 pm
Good idea to put Crosby on hold. 4 missed kicks after a great run portends either he is on downhill slide or he just badly influenced by our poor special teams. After watching replays, I was surprised how fast the right side of the line was collapsing.
Charvid
October 13, 2021 at 03:59 pm
Has anyone else thought Kevin King’s recurring shoulder injuries might be a direct result of his poor tackling technique? If you watch him attempt a tackle, it is a wonder he isn’t hurt every play.
Even on the play where Jaire got hurt, his tackling technique seemed questionable. Alexander doesn’t routinely do that, but King sure does and I can’t help but think it contributes to his seemingly chronic shoulder problems.
Fubared
October 14, 2021 at 08:45 am
no. take a look at him, he is long and lean and seems to lack the body style to play football. He had two serious shoulder injuries in college and missed parts of two seasons and everyone but Ted T passed on the guy. he is a walking china doll who avoids all contact
greengold
October 13, 2021 at 04:21 pm
I cannot wait for De'Vondre Campbell to be paired with Jaylon Smith in the middle. CAN'T WAIT! That is gonna be some big stuff, and should be a very positive change for this Packers defense. Jaylon is a real hustle player, puts a lot of pressure on QBs, gets the TFL, the Hurries, QB Hits, sacks, FFs, and has a really sound ability in the passing game with PDs. Very sure tackler with 156 last season. Jaylon Smith's numbers completely blow Krys Barnes' out of the water.
THAT is going to be great to see.
Hopefully we see more rushing attempts for both Jones and Dillon, and some for Kylin Hill, too. Hill is a great outside runner with an incredible ability to cut upfield for large gains and scores. I'd like to see him used a bit more on O.
Davante Adams has been very solid. Just remarkable. Despite that, might be good to see some other WRs get some real Targets too. Bears will be doubling on Davante a lot, I'd imagine.
Buyin' me some Randall Cobb!!! Bear week!!!
GPG.
NickPerry
October 14, 2021 at 04:24 am
You and I both greengold... Smith and Campbell are going to give the Packers the best ILB UNIT they've had in the last 25 years if not longer. I for one am really looking forward to watching that combination on the field together.
Now, if we can see a little more TJ Slayton on the field, especially clogging the middle, this defense is FINALLY going to have the ILB help sideline to sideline.
jurp
October 14, 2021 at 07:46 am
And maybe we'll finally make a stop in the red zone. Here's hoping!
albert999
October 13, 2021 at 05:20 pm
Signing st brown is not a good move. He doesn’t catch well and he won’t block
Waste of a space
Gee
October 13, 2021 at 06:24 pm
Ugh this one a tough one. They have invested in him, but yeah he really needs to do something. Man if just blocks and is good check down wr, we all win.
Fubared
October 14, 2021 at 08:47 am
its a smart move. when mvs comes back, they can waive esb, then he goes back to practice squd and his three calls up availability starts over again.
Starrbrite
October 13, 2021 at 07:04 pm
I agree on many things with Leatherhead, but one thing we’ll never agree on is the significance of special teams.
Leatherhead
October 13, 2021 at 08:26 pm
We do agree. You think they’re important, and so do I.
We differ because you want to maximize our opportunity for some big plays that help us win, and I want to minimize the chances of some 23 year old bonehead who started the season on the practice squad screwing things up.
I think my way wins more games, but you’re free to disagree.
Starrbrite
October 14, 2021 at 12:13 am
10-4—we’ll agree they’re important and continue to disagree on how important. I don’t want to just “get-by,” but rather, create a positive impact; flip the field for a change. I liked Micah Hyde, for example. He was steady; not spectacular. He didn’t fumble, but on occasion made the “big” play. Some above-average special teams play IMO, will greatly benefit the Packers.
jannesbjornson
October 14, 2021 at 02:10 am
Ask Desmond Howard how that works out. I attended the NOLA superbowl and he WAS the difference in winning the game.
Leatherhead
October 14, 2021 at 10:57 am
25 years ago. How many games have been lost by unnecessary mistakes on special teams since then?
Most football games are not won, they are lost.