The Green Bay Packers had a very interesting first couple of weeks of free agency,  highlighted -or lowlighted depending on who you ask- by the Davante Adams-Raiders trade. Based solely off that move, it would appear as if the Packers had a bad beginning to free agency.

However, that's not the case. Despite losing Adams, the Packers still managed to hold on to Aaron Rodgers, De'Vondre Campbell, Robert Tonyan, Allen Lazard, and Rasul Douglas. They even extended Preston Smith. Overall, the Packers had a pretty solid start and made some good moves.

And that's why they didn't fall too far in ESPN's post-free agency power rankings. The Packers started off ESPN's way-too-early 2022 rankings at No. 4, but now sit at No. 6 behind the Bengals, Bucs, Chiefs, Rams, and Bills, respectively.

Rob Demovsky wrote the following:

OK, so there's probably little or no chance they can replace the All-Pro receiver with someone who can come close to matching what Adams did. No one is going to walk through the doors at Lambeau Field and have the connection Adams had with Aaron Rodgers. But they still need help, which was highlighted more by the loss of Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Chiefs. In fact, with the collection of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers and others, an argument could be made that the Packers don't even have a top-tier No. 2.

Aaron Rodgers helps offset the loss of Davante Adams

The Packers certainly need to find more help at wide receiver. The good news is they have the cap space and the draft picks to do so.

They aren't going to replace Adams. A rookie or free agent isn't going to have the skillset to replace him nor will they have the chemistry with Rodgers. Both take time to develop and those two qualities won't develop before September 8.

But when you have a franchise quarterback like Rodgers, that changes things.

A quarterback like Rodgers elevates the play of those around them. They take what are typically average players and turn them into good players, at minimum. That in itself will help offset the loss of Adams.

That shouldn't stop Green Bay from looking for more quality pass-catchers and it won't. And who knows, the collection of whomever is catching passes from Rodgers could turn into an effective grouping when it's all said and done. As long as Rodgers is there, that is always a possibility.

The defense looks set. Especially with the return of Jaire Alexander and the development of Rashan Gary. The Packers have Rodgers at quarterback, which negates a lot of deficiencies on that side of the ball. So, if they can find a couple more receivers and some help on the offensive, they'll certainly be worth of a top-5 power rankings discussion.

Until then, they're still a good team that has a talented defense, an effective running game, and a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. Those traits alone will make any team a top-10 team.

You can check out ESPN's full power rankings, here.

Featured image via Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports