Some of Biggest Improvements often come Internally

FEATURE

Some of Biggest Improvements often come Internally

While we look to the draft for ways that the Green Bay Packers can improve, oftentimes the biggest improvements will come internally instead.

By Paul_Bretl

Apr 11, 2022

41 comments

When we discuss how a team is going to improve from one year to the next, we often look to the draft for those answers. And while, hopefully, the Packers can find some immediate help at receiver, along with bolstering their depth at edge, the interior defensive line, and safety, among other positions, some of the biggest improvements that Green Bay may experience in 2022 could come internally.

Although we often look to rookies to come in and make immediate impacts, more often than not, the initial contributions will be minimal. As we all know, there are learning curves and adjustment periods to life in the NFL, which is why players in their second and third years can frequently be the ones who provide the biggest boost. Recent examples include Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, Robert Tonyan, and Allen Lazard, to name a few.

For the 2022 Green Bay Packers, there are a few players who fit this mold. TJ Slaton was on the field for 266 snaps last season, according to PFF, and he was able to show some flashes. With some experience and a year in the NFL under his belt, Slaton could provide a much-needed consistent presence -- other than Kenny Clark -- at the nose tackle position.

He has the makings of being an early-down run-stuffer with pass-rush upside. If Slaton is effective, the entire front seven will benefit. At 6'5" - 340 pounds, Slaton will eat up space and occupy double-teams, keeping the linebackers and edge rushers clean; while also allowing Clark to move around more in search of one-on-one opportunities.

Even Eric Stokes, as good as he was, is still an ascending player entering Year 2. We saw him quickly progress as the season went on, and in the end, he allowed just 51 completions on 100 targets at 11.9 yards per catch with nine pass breakups. One area where he could improve is his ball skills, and if he does, he will likely come away with more than just one interception in 2022.

Speaking of cornerbacks, while Alexander could end up being the primary slot corner this season, it's not as if he is going to spend all of his time there either--so who else can fill that role? Well, in 2021, the Packers drafted Shemar Jean-Charles to be a nickel corner, and although we don't exactly know where he is at in his development, if he can provide reliable snaps as the star, it will provide Joe Barry with an immense amount of flexibility in the secondary. This will allow Alexander to travel with the opponent's top receiver, and if both he and Stokes are on the boundary, that could lead to Rasul Douglas taking some snaps over the middle of the field as the third safety. I wrote about this in more detail recently, and you can click here to read, but in short, the possibilities for Barry in this instance would be endless.

And while I took the time to highlight Slaton, Stokes, and Jean-Charles, really, this entire Green Bay Packers defense could be in-store for a big jump under Year 2 of Joe Barry. As is the case with any new system, there is a learning curve, and time is required--just look at the Matt LaFleur offense from 2019 to 2020. If Barry's group can make that type of jump in his second season at the helm, then watch out.

On the offensive side of the ball, at various points, the Packers had four relatively inexperienced offensive linemen out on the field in Yosh Nijman, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, and Royce Newman. All things considered, this group held up well with all of the injuries, but the quick passing game and having an MVP quarterback provided some assistance, and the run game lacked the big play ability we saw in 2020. However, that experience gained was valuable, and if healthy, we hopefully see a more dominant version of this unit -- especially with David Bakhtiari back -- which, of course, will benefit the entire offense.

Josiah Deguara is another player who could take a big step forward as well. As I wrote recently, tight ends rarely produce at a high level right away, and while from a statistical standpoint, Deguara's 2021 season doesn't stand out, there were positives, and he was much closer to what is the norm for a young tight end rather than being on the bad end of that spectrum.

There are other players I haven't mentioned, including Amari Rodgers, who could provide the Packers with that needed gadget presence in LaFleur's offense, but you get the idea.

Of course, we hope that Green Bay finds some immediate help and potential difference-makers early on in the draft, but that is just one path to improvement. In all likelihood, the more significant jump will come from young players already on the roster who take on larger roles as they hopefully make those Year 2 and Year 3 leaps that so many successful NFL players have made.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.

NFL Categories:

Green Bay Packers

Comments (41)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.

OFF

Leatherhead

April 11, 2022 at 11:06 am

It's a 53 man roster. You can't add 53 new players every year. Most of the roster rolls over from one year to the next, so you have to have improvement from those guys from year to year because that's most of the team.

SIGN UP OR SIGN IN TO POST

Sign-in

Or log in with Facebook

I'm new here... Sign Up