Green Bay Packers 2018 Breakout Candidates

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 23: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 23: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 23: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 23: Kenny Clark #97 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The Green Bay Packers are going to rely on big years from their big names. However, the roster has several breakout candidates that will help a ton.

After a down year in 2017, the Green Bay Packers are looking to bounce back. They’ll be relying heavily on key contributors, such as Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Graham and Clay Matthews among others.

After Rodgers got injured against the Minnesota Vikings, the team struggled without him under center last season. Regardless, they plan to make their return to the playoffs after last season’s rare miss. They gave Rodgers new weapons to replace the released Jordy Nelson including Graham and three rookie wide receivers.

The running back group should be even stronger than last season with three guys that can do serious damage on any play. A healthy offensive line, which has been rare in recent years, but could put this offense close to levels it saw in the early part of this decade.

New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine took over a unit that has been near the bottom of the league in recent years, but he plans to turn that around this season. The established veterans, such as Mike Daniels, Blake Martinez and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, will be counted on from day one to lead the turnaround.

However, there are some breakout players on the roster that have potential to contribute in a major way this season.