Green Bay Packers: 4 Players Who Can Improve Their Defense in 2020

These four players on the Green Bay Packers could take the next step in their game and elevate the team’s defense next season.

Thanks in an influx of free agent talent in 2019, the Green Bay Packers‘ defense took a step forward last season, and was one of the strong parts of a 13-3 team.

After giving up 25 points per game in 2018, they were able to shave nearly five points off that average in 2019. A big part of their success had to do wit their much-improved pass rush. Thanks to one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL–Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith–Green Bay brought down the quarterback on 7.44 percent of passing attempts; good enough for 11th in the NFL.

Despite the improvement, the Packers still have a ways to go to become an elite or even great defense. Thankfully, there are a number of young guys with huge roles who could take a step forward this season. Let’s take a look at four players who could make an even bigger impact in 2020.

Rashan Gary could give them an elite pass rush

From a production standpoint, Rashan Gary had a disappointing rookie season after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He only accrued 21 total tackles, three quarterback hits and two sacks.

The good news is the coaching staff is raving about his in-season improvement and it appears they expect big things from him. Gary has all the natural and physical gifts in the world, he just needs to refine his technique. Even though his best position is outside linebacker, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will have no issue moving him and Za’Darius Smith along the line to give the offense different looks. If Gary takes the expected leap, it could give the Packers an elite pass rush.

Upgrade at inside linebacker if Christian Kirksey can stay healthy

Blake Martinez has racked up at least 144 combined tackles in each of the past three seasons, including an insane 155 last year. Unfortunately, he spends most of his time on his side of the line of scrimmage and, of those 155 tackles, only five of them were for a loss.

The Packers are expecting a lot more out of new inside linebacker Christian Kirksey. Kirksey has a bit more oomph in his game and should be able to provide Green Bay with an upgrade at the position. The biggest question is health. Kirksey has only played in nine total games the past two seasons combined, and if he goes down again, Green Bay will be in big trouble.

Another year of development for Jaire Alexander and Darnell Savage

In Year 2, Jaire Alexander took a step forward in his game and is one of the best up-and-coming young cornerbacks in the game. It’s time he takes the up-and-coming part out and just become one of the best. Period. Alexander has all the tools you’d want in a corner and he sticks to his man like glue. His only weakness is his height.

Darnell Savage hopes to follow in Alexander’s footsteps after being selected in the first round of last year’s draft. Savage had an up and down rookie campaign, but has great speed and instincts that should allow him to develop into one of the better safeties in the NFL. Can he take a leap forward heading into Year 2?