Packers: 3 Glaring Weaknesses Heading into 2020 Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers must work hard to address these three weaknesses heading into training camp of the 2020 NFL season.
We are just about a week away from the Green Bay Packers reporting to training camp for the 2020 season. Even in today’s crazy world, that’s exciting news for football fans everywhere.
Coming off a surprisingly good season where the Packers finished 13-3, swept the NFC North on their way to a division crown and advanced to the NFC championship game, Green Bay is far from perfect. In fact, they have more holes than most teams coming off 13-win seasons.
The gap between Green Bay and the top teams in the NFL may have widened following an offseason that left fans and analysts alike wanting more. What they got was a slew of high-risk, medium reward moves including the free agent signings of Christian Kirksey and Devin Funchess. The draft picks were also underwhelming as they appear set to fully transition to a run-oriented offense next season.
If the Packers want to replicate the success they had last year, they must address these three glaring weaknesses before the games begin.
3. Right Side of Offensive Line
Right guard Billy Turner was the weak spot on an otherwise elite offensive line last season. He struggled somewhat during his first year with the Packers and that could be the case again in 2020. This time, however, he won’t have right tackle Bryan Bulaga to help pick up the slack on the outside. With Bulaga gone, the Packers brought in Ricky Wagner to vie for the starting gig.
Ironically, Turner is likely Wagner’s primary competition for right tackle. If the Packers feel Turner can hold his own and they’re better off sliding Lane Taylor in at guard, that’s the alignment they’ll roll with. Regardless of who’s out there on the right side, the Packers’ tight ends and backs will have to provide the right side with extra support.
2. Tight End Position
Speaking of tight ends, the Packers are unproven at the position heading into training camp. They waived Jimmy Graham in the offseason, creating room for the younger players to step up–only those younger players are complete unknowns. Jace Sternberger, a 2019 third-round pick who failed to catch a pass in the regular season, projects to be the starter. Following him on the depth chart is the ageless Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan and this year’s third-round pick Josiah Deguara. I wouldn’t expect much from this position group in 2020.
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1. Stopping the Run
The Packers got creamed in the run game in the NFC Championship game as the San Francisco 49ers ran all over them. That was a season-long theme for Green Bay, as they highly prioritized stopping the pass and struggled to slow down the ground attack.
They didn’t do much to address this issue in the offseason. Blake Martinez is gone with Christian Kirksey in his place. If healthy, and that’s a big if, Kirksey should be an upgrade over Martinez in this area. He’s more athletic and can get into the backfield–something Martinez struggled to do.
However, the big guys up front who do the heavy lifting are the same. Yes, Kenny Clark is a stud, but he can only do so much. The rest of the line was underwhelming last year and the Packers will need more from Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster. Montravius Adams might want to come to play as well.