The Green Bay Packers have had quite the roller-coaster ride to kick off their NFL season. It’s been a mix of highs and lows, and as the dust settles, the Packers find themselves at an even 2-2 record after the first quarter of the season.
Head coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff have made some commendable moves during this period, but there have also been some rather perplexing decisions. In this article, our focus narrows down to the latter – those puzzling choices that leave fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
While there’s ample time and room for improvement, let’s delve in and pinpoint five individuals on Green Bay’s roster who ought to see more playing time to bolster the team’s progress moving forward.
These five players on the Green Bay Packers deserve more playing time moving forward after the first four games of the NFL season.
Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time: Emanuel Wilson
It’s clear AJ Dillon is not the answer. He’s declined since entering the NFL and is a free agent following this season. He’s had his time to prove he could improve, and now it’s time for him to move over for Emanuel Wilson.
Wilson made the squad as an undrafted free agent, but has been mostly inactive on game days. Wilson flashed in the preseason with some breakaway runs, and the Packers should give him the backup role while featuring Aaron Jones (more on him later). What’s the worst that could happen?
Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time: Corey Ballentine
Corey Ballentine’s journey through training camp and preseason might not have initially landed him a spot on the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster, but he certainly made a compelling case to be back in the mix. This opportunity materialized last Thursday, and Ballentine wasted no time in showcasing his worth.
In a pivotal substitution for Carrington Valentine, Ballentine stepped onto the field, notching a substantial 50 snaps against the Detroit Lions. In terms of coverage, he proved to be an impenetrable fortress, allowing zero receptions on zero targets.
Yet, what truly caught the Packers’ defensive eye was Ballentine’s prowess in run support. Stationed predominantly in the outside cornerback position, he had limited opportunities, but made the only tackle that came his way.
With Green Bay’s quest for solutions to bolster their run defense, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Ballentine deserves a more extensive audition in the upcoming weeks. The Packers might have just found an unexpected asset in their quest to fortify their defensive ranks.
Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time: Sean Rhyan
After a quiet rookie season, the 2022 third-round draft pick appears to have made significant strides in his development this year. This is particularly reassuring, considering the concerns surrounding his performance during his debut campaign and the Packers’ thin depth on the interior line. It’s now the ideal moment for Green Bay to shine a spotlight on Sean Rhyan and showcase his abilities.
In contrast, Royce Newman, who has been filling in for the injured Elgton Jenkins, has struggled considerably. He consistently finds himself outmatched and has difficulty countering even the most basic stunts. This has been a recurring issue since his rookie year, and he has yet to demonstrate an ability to rectify it.
Given the situation, Rhyan couldn’t fare much worse than Newman, and it’s high time that Green Bay provides him with an opportunity to showcase his potential. While one hopes for Jenkins’ swift return, in the interim, it might be wise to entrust the reins to Rhyan.
Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time: Justin Hollins
The Packers face a significant challenge in stopping the run, and this issue extends throughout their front seven. One particular area of concern is their inability to establish the edge and prevent running backs from breaking to the outside.
Kingsley Enagbare has been a frequent contributor to this problem, often getting caught inside and allowing runners to exploit the perimeter. In the recent game against the Lions, Enagbare logged 30 snaps compared to Hollins’ 13. During his time on the field, Hollins demonstrated proficiency in containing the edge and fulfilling his role effectively. It’s high time Green Bay starts recognizing and rewarding those who excel in run defense, making incremental improvements at every position to fortify their ability to stop the run.
Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time: Aaron Jones
The ongoing discourse surrounding the underutilization of Aaron Jones feels almost surreal, given that it continues seven years into his NFL career and five years into Matt LaFleur’s coaching reign with the Packers. Yet, here we are, still having this conversation.
In Week 4, following his recovery from a hamstring injury, Jones found himself on the field for a mere 20 of the Packers’ 57 offensive snaps. Remarkably, he didn’t even touch the ball until a couple of minutes into the second quarter. It’s a head-scratching scenario when you consider that Jones is undeniably one of Green Bay’s most potent offensive weapons. The decision to have him suited up, only to go an entire quarter without getting the ball into his hands, borders on football malpractice.
Now, some might argue that his limited usage in Week 4 can be attributed to his post-injury status. However, this narrative of Jones playing limited snaps is a recurring theme. Take Week 1, for instance, when Dillon out-snapped him 29 to 28. The pattern is hard to ignore, and it’s high time the Packers realize the goldmine they have in their star running back and start making him a central figure in their offensive schemes.