What the Green Bay Packers can do to set Jordan Love up to succeed
The talk of the Green Bay Packers continues to be where QB Aaron Rodgers will be traded. Early heavy favorites are clearly the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders, who're making their interests clear. What is being left out of the discussion is what will be left for QB Jordan Love to take over? […]
The talk of the Green Bay Packers continues to be where QB Aaron Rodgers will be traded. Early heavy favorites are clearly the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders, who're making their interests clear.
What is being left out of the discussion is what will be left for QB Jordan Love to take over?
The Green Bay Packers have done a great job of retaining talent and drafting up and coming players, largely for a 'last hurrah' for Rodgers.
Instead what Love inherits is an offensive line that gave up the seventh-lowest sack percentage (5.4%) and the eight-lowest pressure rate (18.4%). A running back in Aaron Jones who once again finished in the top 10 in both yards and yards per attempt. As well as what may be the next great, young WR duo in Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson.
What else could they possibly supply Love with? The two things every young quarterback needs and (for now) the Packers have no answer for. A reliable tight end and a slot receiver who can both get open.
Often young and inexperienced quarterbacks look for their tight end and slot first when feeling heavy pressure. Having the best players their possible will set Love up early.
TE Robert Tonyan is an unrestricted free agent, likely to command at minimum $5 million per season in the open market. It's uncertain if the Packers will be able to make any moves that will open enough cap room to re-secure Tonyan on a third-straight inexpensive contract.
WRs Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard would theoretically take that third spot. However, Cobb is headed for free agency and will be 33 by the start of the season. If he continues, it will likely be on a one-year deal with a contender.
Lazard, however, is valued at an estimated $13 million per season on the current market.
This years crop of free agent receivers doesn't (yet) have any sort of big name but does have reliable starters. Such as Juju Smith-Schuster, Sterling Shepard and Jakobi Meyers.
Tight ends, on the other hand, have plenty of high-profile pass catchers. Players like Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki and Evan Engram. However, if they're looking for cheaper, they will likely look towards players like Hayden Hurst or Jordan Akins.
The draft is the most likely route. Keeping the organization's desire to get younger on a consistent path. With both tight end and wide receiver both being top heavy and not as deep as in recent years, expect both positions to be addressed early.
With the draft capital that will come from the inevitable Rodgers trade, it's entirely possible.
Aside from tight end and slot receiver, the Packers have done an excellent job of gaining and developing talent. With Jordan Love set to take the helm, it would only benefit him and the offense to fill these spots.
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff of USA TODAY Sports