Green Bay Packers Stock Report: A Lot of Players on the Rise

Heading into Week 3, here is how the Green Bay Packers’ Stock Report shakes out before their matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books, and the Green Bay Packers cruised to another fairly easy win, this time over the Detroit Lions, 42-21. The Packers are now 2-0 overall, and a crucial 2-0 within the NFC North.

In this week’s ‘Packers Stock Report,’ as you can imagine, there are quite a few players trending upwards. So many, in fact, that I’m sure I won’t get to them all, but my goal is to highlight any new players, or things in one instance, along with those from last week who continue to really impress.

Also, keep in mind that players like Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Za’Darius Smith could be in the ‘Stock Up’ category every week; however, I’m trying to shed some light on the non-superstars of this Green Bay Packers team.

Now, let’s begin!

Green Bay Packers Stock Up

Paying Aaron Jones

This has been a debate for much of the offseason as one side of the argument is a firm believer in not paying running backs big money, while the other side sees Aaron Jones’ production and his importance to this Green Bay Packers’ offense. Well, after Week 2, if you’re invested in paying Aaron Jones, your stock is on the rise.

Against Detroit, Jones went on to have a massive game, leading all Packer players in both rushing and receiving yards. On the ground, he totaled 168 yards at a ridiculous 9.3 yards per carry along with another 68 yards through the air and three total touchdowns. Jones 236 all-purpose yards were the most by a Packer player in 64 years.

Corey Linsley

It’s easy for an offensive lineman to fly under the radar, but in a contract year where many assume that Corey Linsley won’t be back, he has been fantastic. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in 83 pass-blocking attempts this season, Linsley hasn’t allowed a sack or even a pressure. PFF would also note that Aaron Jones is averaging 12.4 yards per carry when rushing through the “A” gap, and by and large, you can thank Corey Linsley for that.

Rashan Gary

Rashan Gary makes another appearance on the ‘Stock Report’ after putting together an even more impressive performance in Week 2. Gary totaled 1.5 sacks and four total pressures against Detroit, while once again helping force an interception just as he did in Week 1. Even with The Smiths, Gary leads this defense in total pressures through two weeks.

Chandon Sullivan

Admittedly it was a rough start to the game for Chandon Sullivan, but he quickly turned things around, especially in the second half. We all saw the pick-six, but overall, Sullivan allowed only two receptions on six targets, and Matthew Stafford had a passer rating of just 24.3 when throwing his direction. The Sullivan we saw in quarters three and four looked like the Sullivan we saw in 2019.

Kevin King

For the second week in a row, we saw Kevin King come up and make some nice plays in the run game, and in terms of coverage, he wasn’t targeted one time on against Detroit. That’s right, Stafford didn’t throw at King once. So if you’re wondering why you didn’t hear King’s name much on Sunday, that’s why. He had his side of the field locked down.

Rick Wagner

Along with Rashan Gary, Wagner’s stock is rising once again. Through two weeks, he hasn’t allowed a sack or a quarterback hit, and he has allowed just two pressures. On top of that, he hasn’t been called for a penalty either. With uncertainty surrounding the right side of the offensive line entering the season, Wagner has helped provide stability with two very good performances to start the year.

Robert Tonyan

Once again, Robert Tonyan led this Green Bay Packers’ tight end group in snaps against Detroit, and we also saw him get involved in the passing game as well this time. Although he had a tough drop in the first quarter, Tonyan ended up with two receptions on three targets for 25 yards, including a touchdown. It would appear that Tonyan has cemented himself as TE1 in Green Bay.

Green Bay Packers Stock Down

Jace Sternberger

While Tonyan’s stock is on the rise, Jace Sternberger’s is on a downward trend. He would again take the fewest snaps out of any Packers’ tight end, and he had two absolutely brutal drops, although only one will be credited as the other was negated by a penalty. However, that drop is still going to show up on film, and that certainly isn’t how you earn more playing time or Aaron Rodgers’ trust.

As I said last week, it’s still far too early to be hitting the panic button, but Sternberger is trending in the wrong direction.

Lucas Patrick

Overall the offensive line has been excellent through two weeks, and while Lucas Patrick’s performance against Detroit wasn’t awful by any means, he did give up a pressure, contributed to a sack, was called for a hold, and was pushed back in the run game a few times. The main reason he is on the ‘Stock Down’ category is that I’m expecting Billy Turner to be back at left guard next week.

Dean Lowry

The Green Bay Packers need someone to step up in the run game, especially during Kenny Clark’s absence, but Dean Lowry continues to underwhelm. After two solid seasons in 2017 and 2018 that earned Lowry a contract extension, since then, he looks like just a guy. If Lowry is your third or fourth player along the interior defensive line, you’ll be in decent shape, but he’s not a No. 2, which is what he has been here in Green Bay. It won’t be long before Kinsley Keke is taking his snaps.