Fansided

Why the Packers’ defense will improve in 2018

By Jacob Westendorf

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 10: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers walks onto the field prior to a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field on August 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 10: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers walks onto the field prior to a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field on August 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers’ defense has been an abomination the last two seasons, and changes have come swiftly.

When expectations aren’t met, people are replaced. Dom Capers is out, Mike Pettine is in.

The Packers’ defense could not be fixed simply by a coaching change. Green Bay has not gotten enough out of its players. They’ve made some changes on that front as well.

Tramon Williams and Mo Wilkerson were brought in to fortify a pass rush and secondary that left a lot to be desired a season ago. Williams is expected to be the leader of a young secondary that could use some of his leadership in terms of how to be a professional.

Wilkerson is expected to fortify a Packers’ defensive line that includes Mike Daniels and rising star Kenny Clark. Those two additions should be immediate contributors.

It’s likely new General Manager Brian Gutekunst uses a good portion of his 12 draft picks on the defensive side of the ball as well. The biggest help in 2018, however, should be Kevin King.

King was the Packers’ first draft pick last season. He athletically profiles in a similar way to Richard Sherman, a tall corner with good speed and physicality at the line of scrimmage.

King was brought along slowly through camp a year ago, and did not start the first game of the season. However, injuries immediately pushed him into the starting lineup against Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons. King flashed through the rest of the season before a nagging shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve.

What could happen next is up to King and Pettine. Pettine should do a much better job of getting King into positions to succeed, emphasizing man-to-man corners. This means that King will likely be asked to be in the face of receivers and redirecting their routes with his long arms.

Examples of cornerbacks that have succeeded in this manner for Pettine include Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie during his days with the New York Jets. That’s likely the vision that Pettine has for King as well. He’s skilled enough to make an impact in that role.

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If King is able to make the second year jump that is expected in Green Bay, he will outshine any offseason acquisition the Packers could make on defense.

In addition, the Packers’ defense will take a step toward becoming the championship-caliber unit their head coach has emphasized throughout the offseason.

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