Fansided

5 players who Packers need to be great in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 23: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 23: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Mock Draft
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 22: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes the quarterback behind the block of Brenden Jaimes #76 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 56-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. Rashan Gary

The Packers’ decision to draft Gary in the first round of April’s draft was widely criticized as a reach. The team’s front office would love for the former Michigan man to prove the critics wrong in his rookie campaign.

Of course, the coaching staff is more concerned with Gary providing the team what they need on the field. Mainly, that is more push from the defensive line. The rookie should see a lot of action on passing downs and can conceivably play defensive tackle or defensive end this season. The key will be for Gary to make his snaps count.

He doesn’t necessarily need to post a double-digit sack season to be a success. What Gary does need to do is make sure he occupies blockers to make sure his linebackers are free to make plays. At the end of the season his pressure statistics will be much more important than how many times he finishes the play on the opposing quarterback.

The Packers do have the talent up front to bring Gary along slowly. Don’t be surprised if he’s pretty limited over the first few weeks of the season. Green Bay needs him to be a factor down the stretch. This team’s best formula for victory will be jumping out to an early lead and then attacking the opposing offense with their pass rush. Gary needs to be a big part of that.

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