Green Bay Packers Stock Report at Halfway Point
By Paul Bretl
Buy: Green Bay Packers’ pass rush
After being one of the best teams in the NFL last season at pressuring the quarterback, the Packers have been one of the worst in 2020. Their pressure rate of 18.1 percent ranks 25th in the league and has actually improved from the 15-16 percent range where they’ve been for much of the year. Additionally, the Packers 16 sacks rank in the bottom half of the NFL as well.
However, against San Francisco – and yes, I know the Niners were banged up – we saw the Packer pass rush constantly in Nick Mullens’ face. When it was all said and done, they recorded only one sack but had 15 pressures and forced two turnovers. Thursday’s game was a prime example of how pressure can lead to turnovers and just a better overall defensive performance.
With The Smiths, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, and others, there is just too much talent along the Green Bay defensive front for them to be as unproductive as they’ve been. Over the second half of the season, we will start to see this pass rush unit return to form.
Buy: Aaron Rodgers for MVP
After his performance in Tampa Bay, we haven’t heard much about Aaron Rodgers in the MVP discussion, but his numbers this season are as good as anyones. Through eight games, Rodgers has a completion rate of 67.5 percent – which is up over five percent from 2019 – 2,253 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. On his current pace, he is on his way to a career year in both passing yards and touchdown passes, which is certainly saying something.
As I mentioned, Rodgers hasn’t been discussed much in the MVP race recently, but he absolutely should be. He is having a fantastic year, and that includes by Aaron Rodgers’ lofty standards as well.
Buy: Darnell Savage
Through a majority of the first half of the season, we haven’t seen Darnell Savage take that Year 2 leap. Tackling still remains a major issue, and we also haven’t seen nearly as many splash plays as we did in 2019. However, against San Francisco, Mike Pettine let Savage play in that Honey Badger/rover role in the middle of the field, and as a result, he had his best game of the season.
We saw Savage all over the field, making plays, and he nearly coming away with an interception. This is where he’s at his best; when his explosiveness and instincts can take over. If Pettine continues to play him in this position, we will see a big second half of the season for Savage.
Buy: Billy Turner
I have to admit that I was wrong about Billy Turner playing the tackle position. I wasn’t sure that he would be able to handle being out in space against speed rushers, but outside of the Tampa game where everyone played bad, he’s been very good at both tackle positions. While the Packers have had to play musical chairs on the offensive line, Turner has provided them stability at a key position.
Buy: Kamal Martin
Unfortunately, Kamal Martin missed six of the first eight games with an injury and then the San Francisco game after ending up on the COVID/reserve list, But when he’s been on the field, he’s looked like the real deal–especially against the run. He shows a burst and explosiveness in the run game that we haven’t seen from the linebacker position in years, filling holes and bringing a needed physicality to this defense.
In only two games, he’s already made an impact, so as long as he can stay on the field, he will continue to improve and be an important part of this Green Bay Packers’ defense in the second half of the season.
Buy: Davante Adams as the NFL’s top WR
After his performance in San Francisco, Davante Adams was asked if he was the NFL’s top receiver. In short, his answer was yes, and at this point, there aren’t a ton of arguments to suggest otherwise. With the sweetest release in the game, Adams has racked up 94 receptions for 1,249 yards and 12 touchdowns over his last 10 fully healthy games. If we extrapolate those numbers out over a full 16 game season, that’s 150 catches, 1,998 yards, and 19 touchdowns.
Those are ridiculous numbers, and this is a conversation worth having. With there being no signs of the Rodgers-Adams’ connection cooling off, buy your ‘Davante Adams Top WR stock’ now.