2022 Packers Stock Report: Week 1
Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
By GunnarDavis
Ahh yes, it feels so good to type up this headline again.
And while it's a nice feeling to finally be writing about the Green Bay Packers in-season again, it's disappointing that the first time writing the stock report is about a season-opening loss.
While we all had high hopes for this team and this season, the Packers didn't do anything to make us feel good about those high hopes in Minnesota.
The team from Titletown laid an egg in the season opener for the second-straight year. Except this one maybe stung a bit more because this loss was to a division rival.
So let's get into it and take a look at the Packers Stock Report after a 23-7 loss to the Vikings in Week 1.
BUY
A.J. Dillon- While most of the team looked rather uninspired on Sunday, that was not the case for A.J. Dillon. The third-year running back only touched the ball a total of 15 times, but he made the most of his opportunities when they came. Dillon rarely gets tackled by the first defender, which was on display on Sunday -- especially during his short touchdown run, in which he barreled his way through a few Vikings to score. A viable option in the passing attack as well, Dillon was a bright spot and will continue to be one moving forward.
Yosh Nijman- With David Bakhtiari likely out for Sunday night, Yosh Nijman will get another chance to start at the left tackle position, which is why I'm buying him for now. Nijman has stepped up time and time again and played well when asked. He was the standout performer on an otherwise dismal offensive line on Sunday, only allowing one pressure all game. Buy.
Kenny Clark- Outside of Aaron Donald, Kenny Clark might be the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Turn on the tape and you'll see that Clark was a disrupting force all day in Minnesota. Clark only posted three tackles, but was constantly in the backfield (six QB pressures) making things tough for Kirk Cousins. For only being 26 years old, Clark has been so good for so long for Green Bay. Expect to see more of the same all season.
SELL
Jake Hanson- Many Packers fans were surprised to see Jake Hanson get the start on Sunday, especially when Zach Tom played so well all preseason. Hanson didn't do anything to prove the doubters wrong against the Vikings, posting a 14.4 pass blocking grade according to PFF. That's the worst pass blocking grade for a Packer since 2018. If you're not a PFF guy, just watch the tape and you'll see how overmatched Hanson was all afternoon. Whenever Jenkins or Bakhtiari returns, Hanson will likely be the first guy back on the bench.
Amari Rodgers- I know a lot of Packers fans had high hopes for Amari Rodgers this season, and I did too. But it was incredibly telling to me that the Packers coaching staff did not use Rodgers on offense at all on Sunday. He didn't log a single snap offensively, which was surprising. I know it's early, and he could be viewed as a 'hold' guy for now, but if that's how the coaching staff views him (as a punt returner and special teamer), I'm going to sell him.
Adrian Amos- This was hands-down Adrian Amos' worst performance since joining the Packers in 2019. Normally Mr. Consistent, Amos, and fellow safety Darnell Savage, had their fair share of busted coverages and mix-ups. While I don't necessarily think selling Adrian Amos is good for the long-term (he will definitely be better in the future), I'm just going to sell that performance on Sunday. I didn't like it. Packers fans didn't like it. I'm sure he wasn't happy with it. See ya.
HOLD
Aaron Rodgers- There were a lot of plays that I'm sure Aaron Rodgers was not happy with himself when he watched the tape. Although Rodgers was rushed for much of the day, he never truly settled in. He was quick to dump off the ball on plays that could have developed, and happy to revert back to holding on to the ball too long on plays that were dead. I'm not a quarterback guru, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. But, for now, I'll put him on hold, since the Bears come to town on Sunday night. He's normally had pretty good luck against Chicago in prime time, so I expect him to bounce back.
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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 (52)
Leatherhead
September 14, 2022 at 12:10 pm
Buy the defense. Despite 0 help from an offense that turned it over 4 times, the defense held an above average offensive team, at home, to 23 points.
TarynsEyes
September 14, 2022 at 12:24 pm
If the issues and disconnect on the Offense continue, a 23 point Defense may not be good enough in too many games.
PatrickGB
September 14, 2022 at 12:28 pm
True, not with what the offense has shown so far.
LLCHESTY
September 15, 2022 at 01:02 am
If you think that defense was acceptable you're as deluded as ol' LH. For a D that bragged about being dominant all camp tied for 20th in points allowed and all alone in 25 the in yardage doesn't cut it.
I said they had the makings of a top 5 D and should be a top 10 at least. Well now they have a hole to climb out of. They were pretty lax physically, we'll see if they learned from their mistakes in week 3 against Tampa.
The people screaming about man vs zone give me a headache. They were repeatedly beaten at the LOS on both sides of the ball. The NFL has changed a ton in the last 50 years but the more physical team still wins a majority of the time. Week 3 will be a good measuring stick for the big guys. Beating the Bears means nothing to me unless they crush their spirit defensively. As in bitch slap, take their lunch money and send them home in the 3rd quarter dominance.
murf7777
September 14, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Leatherhead, your correct 23 points ain’t bad, but they gave up 17 in the first half. That’s a lot. In addition, they seemed lost in the secondary for this game. Am I concerned, NO, I think if they quit thinking there the best and start playing ball they will be a top D.
Leatherhead
September 14, 2022 at 12:51 pm
We hold opponents to 24 or less 2/3 of the time and we just about always win those games, something like 35-3 now. We never win when we score 7 and turn it over 4 times (fumble, int, downs, downs)
Would you have felt better about the defense if they had given up 6 in the first half and 17 in the second half? I wouldn't have. After the opening drive, the Minnesota offense accomplished very little. They got one more TD, and two more FGs, and then one FG we handed them with a turnover. The defense kept it close, but we couldn't get anything going on offense.
Just out of curiosity, if a Top D went to the home field of a better than average offense, how many points would they give up? Rams, Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Lions, Eagles, Jags and Cardinals all gave up more points than we did. I mean, the Eagles scored 38 against the Lions on their home field.
IMO, Murf, the defense is going to be fine. The hysteria here about that is misplaced. People want it to be in mid-season form on opening day. Unlikely.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 02:13 pm
I agree: all told, this defense played well enough for the offense to have a chance to win. Instead, the offense gave away three scoring opportunities--any one of which changes the game.
LLCHESTY
September 15, 2022 at 12:39 am
"Would you have felt better about the defense if they had given up 6 in the first half and 17 in the second half?"
So dumb. Of course I would've felt better! Down 6 points the offense doesn't have to shift into catch-up mode. You really think the difference between being down 6-0 and 20-0 is negligible?
What was the record of the teams you coached and are we talking the 70's?
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 01:31 pm
They did much better in the second half than the first. I didn’t see Jefferson stop running those plays, so I think I have to say that they adjusted somewhat. I do tend towards LH’s view that the D should get better: Barry has been right as well as wrong. I’m more concerned with the unpreparedness than the quality.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 01:43 pm
I would think that we're going to see Chicago and other opponents running those deeper crossers against Packer zones until the Packers show they can stop it. I'm expecting Darnell Mooney to make some hay on that on Sunday night...he did last year, too.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 02:22 pm
Absolutely they will or should. Equally their D will be going straight at a Hanson if he takes the field.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Stokes definitely needs to stop yapping and produce on the field. He couldn't cover the checks his mouth was producing over the last month.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 04:45 pm
Oh Boy, their tied for 20th in the league in points allowed. That's one dominant defense.
Leatherhead
September 14, 2022 at 07:42 pm
That's an assertion of a premature evaluator.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 11:11 pm
They talked about being dominant all training camp, was that a dominant defense to you?
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 10:39 pm
You've probably noticed I've decided to take Mark Twain's advice and not argue with you anymore. It's like poking a wounded bird with a stick, not nice. I'll be here to correct you when you stray into the outlandish or say something patently untrue but otherwise knock yourself out!
Are you ready to mea culpa on Doubs and Rodgers yet? Maybe this will help you sort out the whole 3rd round vs 4th round conundrum, with a side of rookie thrown in. You might want to check this out and admit you were wrong:
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/9/14/23353989/aaron-rodgers-amar...
Oh and BTW, 23 points does not a dominant defense make, especially week 1. Anybody can talk greatness, without the F'ups the Packers would have given up 13 points max. They still had a little struggle against the run but the mistakes cost them dearly. Dominant defenses are damn near mistake free.
"The average points per game for teams dropped from a record 24.8 in 2020 to 23 this season as improved defense, some quarterback-related COVID absences, more holding calls and visiting teams dealing with crowds likely made an impact.
The drop of 1.8 points per game per team was the second biggest single-season decline since the merger, behind only the 2.0 points per game from 1976 to 1977."
The internet is right there for you, you can learn a lot about this whole football thing.
pack69go
September 14, 2022 at 12:25 pm
If Bak and Jenkins don't play they need to put Newman at RG and Tom at RT. If JRj is out throw Jones in at T! Hanson needs to never see the field again!!!!
PatrickGB
September 14, 2022 at 12:34 pm
That’s three tackles if you include Yosh. But I get your point. Hanson is the backup center and my guess is that they are trying to get him as many reps as they can for training purposes. They see potential in Hanson. I don’t think that he needs to start in order to get that. I am trying to be kind on him but I think that he is overmatched.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Hanson was overmatched in preseason. No team in its right mind starts him with Rodgers. Every opponent now knows it too. If they are insane enough to think that won’t extend to If he plays C, then I despair of these coaches. C is an even faster route to Rodgers’ oblivion. He was bad as a C with the seconds in preseason too. Hanson is now a liability that we can’t allow on the field. As such, he needs to be off the roster.
YouAskedForThis
September 14, 2022 at 02:54 pm
Agree. Sadly few of us were surprised to see Hanson struggle. Pretty sure he stinks. The surprise is that the Packer coaches saw him capable of starting. That shakes my faith in MLF and company.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 02:08 pm
"my guess is that they are trying to get him as many reps as they can for training purposes."
I don't think you do that with a roster you see contending for a title. Maybe you suck it up with on-the-job training if you're the Lions or the Jags, but not with an MVP QB and every game potentially figuring into your playoff hopes.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 02:26 pm
We won’t roster a RB who is unreliable in pass protection but we will start a G who is not and hope he gets better? Not unless we’ve totally lost our marbles. We have a 40 year old MVP QB right behind Hanson who is far more valuable than Hanson’s future could ever be.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 04:50 pm
I didn't mind him starting if that's what they thought the best option is, I did mind them sticking with the same lineup once it was obvious he was going to owned in pass protection. I would be telling them this week there's going to be a quick hook if their blocking is unacceptable.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 07:11 pm
After his pass pro performance I would t have him active. It was that bad.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 11:22 pm
I didn't understand why he was rostered last year. All his negatives from his draft evals haven't changed, he gets pushed around by better DTs. The 33 bench reps are a mirage, he doesn't have the lower body strength and agility to be a starter in the NFL. Like I said on Acme ESPN rated him as the best run blocking G in week 1. If that's the case why did they run to the left almost exclusively after Tom entered the game?
I used to put quite a bit of stock in PFF's line grades but in the last couple of years they have really slipped. Apparently all the guys they used for years have advanced in the company and the people doing grading now are all youngsters with no training. Tom's run grade made absolutely no sense. Once Tom entered the game they ran left 6 out of 7 times but Hanson was the best run blocking G?
ESPN had Kenny Clark as the 10th rated pass rusher with 6 pressures when they had a guy with 4 rated 3rd and he was a 3T. Mind numbingly dumb.
Most of the problems the DBs had are correctable, the lack of rush against a mediocre OL is a little harder to correct. It's there for the taking, the Bucs lost their starting C, the Rams OL isn't good and the 49ers have to deal with Lance. I actually think the Eagles could be decent if their defense plays with a little more fire. They had that game well in hand and let up, much like the Packers have been prone to do over the last few years. I think a lot of that is leadership. It's part of why I wanted Lewis Cine to be a Packer. Of all Georgia guys drafted he was the one that the others said understood football the best. Superior athletes are cool, superior athletes with football instincts are gold.
PatrickGB
September 14, 2022 at 12:38 pm
I think that it’s going to be a “Buy” on Aaron Jones. Dillon is very good but Jones is the RB who breaks off big yardage. Aaron Rodgers loves to beat the Bears and I expect a bounce back from him Sunday. I also think that Tonyan will have a bigger game. Cobb is a Bear killer so I expect a few clutch plays from him too.
T7Steve
September 14, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Agree on Aaron Jones and if he and Dillon don't have to spend the game trying to protect Rodgers (meaning the O-line works) they'll roll.
Looking for Amos to have a great game too. He always shines against his old team.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 11:37 pm
Everybody loves Dillon's size but Jones is a much better goal runner. Jones would have never run into a wall like Dillon did on that 4th and one.
splitpea1
September 14, 2022 at 12:49 pm
The market doesn't like uncertainty, and since the Packers are fairly awash in it right now (especially on offense), I'm not placing any trades. Agreed on Dillon, though, as he made heroic efforts to score on third and fourth down but was stymied by multiple defenders.
The only certainty is that the Packers need to have their act together vs. the Bears because it's not going to get any easier in Tampa for the following game. And if MLF can't beat another rookie coach, this time at home and with far superior talent at his disposal, then I would like to think his seat may be getting slightly warm; probably not the case just quite yet, though.
Knowing that Rodgers is going to hold the ball at times--he's not going to change his stripes--wouldn't it be nice if a receiver or two could work their way back to him so he could possibly avoid being sacked?
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 12:55 pm
With the right side collapsing there’s little time for adjustment plays like that. That receiver was supposedly Watkins in practice. It didn’t happen.
TarynsEyes
September 14, 2022 at 01:18 pm
I have no doubt that the Packers will win this game, I do have doubts as to how they look doing so. I know, it's the Bears, and Rodgers owns them, but a bad, ugly win here will send messages to others on the schedule, and it won't be a message of dread coming their way.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 02:19 pm
A year ago, the Packers laid a big fluffy biscuit against the Saints, then came home to play the Lions in a game they trailed 17-14 at half and the whole Twitterverse was in WTAF land. Then they dominated the second half and rolled off 7 straight wins.
I agree: I don't think it's going to be very pretty for this team throughout the season, but they should boat-race the Bears on Sunday night...and then it gets interesting. I'm sticking by by 11-win prediction.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 04:53 pm
LaFluer hasn't lost two games in a row in a season since he's been there and the average margin of victory after a loss is 14.1 points.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 02:09 pm
I'm going to buy on Doubs. For a first game, he looked like he belongs, and that's important when even the vets looked shaky. Lazard practicing today...hopefully he's a go on Sunday.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 02:31 pm
Selling Watkins and Cobb though.
YouAskedForThis
September 14, 2022 at 02:59 pm
Really surprised at how bad Sammy Watkins looked.
Coldworld
September 14, 2022 at 03:09 pm
Me also.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 09:47 pm
Another example of someone who I think wasn't used well.
LLCHESTY
September 14, 2022 at 04:54 pm
Meh, Amari is going to be more productive than Doubs this year! 😁
Ferrari-Driver
September 14, 2022 at 02:20 pm
If I'm buying anything, I think it will be a pizza and some beer when I watch the Packers/Bears game Sunday.
dobber
September 14, 2022 at 02:22 pm
Party at F-D's house!
Ferrari-Driver
September 17, 2022 at 04:07 pm
Well if we could pull it off, I would go for it. Plenty of room and and two 80" TV's will be tuned to the game and I think three cases of "cool one's" would do the trick. There are several Pizza delivery places that can keep them coming.
It would be fun to meet the guys on this forum. I realize it's not possible to exchange information using a public website, but perhaps meeting at one of the games at Lambeau is doable.
canadapacker
September 14, 2022 at 02:29 pm
I am going to buy the Bears as being an overly and highly incentivized team on Sunday night. We know who owns them and who has said it out loud - and even at their ball park. They do not need and clipboard motivation they have it.
I am also going to buy AR - he knows what he did = he knows what to do against these Bears because he does own them. So I expect a big game from him.
Finally I am going to buy Lafleur = he cant coach 2 stinkers in a row = where he doesnt use his guys - Jones - Dillon - and why not Amari - at least run some of those plays ( the fact that he didnt see the field must have been an off field thing because he ran that gimmicky stuff well in preseason) and that is what we need to slow Roquan and others down.
PackAttack4155
September 14, 2022 at 02:43 pm
It took me I while, but I'm finally on board with Nijman. Has he practiced at right tackle much? I wonder if, when Bakhtiari and Jenkins return, Nijman stays where he is, Bakh plays on the right side and Jenkins moves back inside to guard. It'll be interesting to see if all three will lineup as starters together. Which tackle can play the opposite side of their norm better? The interior line needs help, when healthy Jenkins is not only a top tackle, but the best guard on the roster also.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 15, 2022 at 06:37 am
He practiced some at RT but mostly at LT. We don't know where he practiced from August 30 through September 10th, but with Bakh being an uncertainty the coaches probably just could not get him as many reps at RT as they might have desired.
We do know from a comment by one of the coaches (I can't remember but probably Steno) that Nijman was having some breakdowns in his fundamentals when he switched to RT. No doubt more reps there would have helped, but it wasn't to be since both Jenkins and Bakh were uncertainties.
Ritzy
September 14, 2022 at 02:49 pm
Fair and balanced. Dillon must get a lot of carries against the Bears. Hopefully Lazard will play to help the run blocking and as a third down pass option for Rodgers.
LLCHESTY
September 15, 2022 at 12:51 am
Why? Was Dillon the one that averaged 9.8 yards per carry on Sunday. Is Dillon the one that has averaged 10 TDs a year for three years?
Some of you really need to get over the bigger is better thing. Would you rather have Earl Campbell or Walter Payton on your team?
CoachJV
September 14, 2022 at 05:28 pm
I'm a serious Buy on Yosh Nijman... The dude is our LT for the foreseeable future and we need to lock him up when it's time. He's the real deal at LT... And to say we'd be better with Bak is a disrespect. Bak has not played since 2020 and I believe he is probably done. He's a great Packer, but his knee is finished.
We won't need to spend a draft pick on LT if we lock Yosh down. Keep Jenk on the right when he's ready... boom! We're anchored.
I'm a Sell on Bak... period.
canadapacker
September 14, 2022 at 06:09 pm
I had said that I was a sell on Bak when he didnt come off of IR with 2 weeks left in the preseason - because he needed that for conditioning - not the mental part. I have felt that his knee is not where it needs to be and I would not wish for him to play and then be in really tough shape for the rest of his life. We have to pay him and that is why they are not doing anything with his roster spot. Now I hope with all my mind that I am totally wrong. But the trouble with a big man and that injury - something that cannot be hid or compensated for from the opposition when on the field. I am also hoping that the big man ( Jones) develops quickly and hope that they find special packages to get him on the field - special teams blocking and red zone blocking. Nice way to introduce oneself to game speed with minimal team risk.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 15, 2022 at 06:52 am
I don't think it is disrespectful. Bakh is considerably better than Nijman by a whole order of magnitude when healthy. I'd wait a long time to sell Bakh.
I am not against locking up Nijman. Last year he was a legitimate LT but he was somewhat below average and was given a lot of help. He played above average against MN, so if he strings a few games together while playing at that level his price will go up.
Still, I can't say I am ready to give him a big money. Joseph Noteboom (who I just watched get manhandled by Buffalo) makes $13.33M AAV. I am not up for 4 years, $52M on Nijman. The 21st highest paid LT makes $8.1M but he's 4th pick in the 2020 draft and is on a rookie deal. Lowest paid guy not on a rookie deal makes $10M and then $5M AAV.
CoachJV
September 15, 2022 at 10:32 am
I can respect that... I'm not saying Nijman deserves Top 5 money... I don't think he's readt for Bak money... Yet... but he is on the rise. He gets better every game, and - if LaFleur hadn't tried to get cute in the Playoffs and put Turner as LT instead, we might win that game. We could lock him long term now if we gave him say... 4 years at $48M backloaded.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 15, 2022 at 07:12 am
Gunnar, don't try to time the market! Besides, you're after the fair. Go ahead and sell on Amos so I can swoop in and buy him at a discount.