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Green Bay Packers: Second-Year Player Performance Grades

By Kenny Jilek

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a fumble recovery during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a fumble recovery during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
Jace Sternberger, Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Middle Round Picks

2nd Round Pick – Elgton Jenkins – OL

By Approximate Value, Pro Football Reference’s stat that gives each player a single number based on their performance, Jenkins had the most impactful season of Green Bay Packers’ rookies last year. He started 14 games in place of Lane Taylor at left guard and made the NFL All-Rookie Team.

This season, in a year with very few constants, where flexibility was necessary, he has played all over the line and been a premium versatile lineman everywhere they’ve asked him to play. He’s played guard, tackle, and center as they continue to shuffle the line due to injuries.

Sliding all over hasn’t kept him from playing every position at a high level. He’s eighth in the league among guards in pass rush win rate. Jenkins was an absolute home run pick for the Packers and what he’s done this year, being able to do everything they ask of him without any drop in performance as he slides all over the line, is something very few players could do.

Overall Grade: A-

3rd Round Pick – Jace Sternberger – TE

Coming out of college last year at Texas A&M, Sternberger was seen as possibly the best receiving tight end in the league, though T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Irv Smith Jr. were seen as better all-around players. He’s yet to live up to that reputation in his first two years and has struggled to find a role in this offense.

Part of his problem is that he simply can’t get on the field because of how good the Packers’ other tight ends have been this season. Marcedes Lewis, in his 15th year, looks as good as ever, and Robert Tunyan has emerged as one of the best tight ends in the entire NFL. Because of this, he’s played in just 23 percent of Green Bay’s offensive snaps this season.

In total, he’s caught 12 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown this season, which is very underwhelming for a top-100 pick. He has time to develop, but it’s not looking good for him. After Josiah Deguara was injured early in the season, he got some snaps in the backfield as a fullback, but it’s doubtful that he’ll get to play that role next season with Deguara back in the mix.

Overall Grade: D

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