5 bold predictions for Green Bay Packers in 2020

3. Rashan Gary will get eight sacks

The Packers coaching staff cannot reasonably expect for Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith to combine for 25.5 sacks again in 2020. They need another edge rusher to step up and become a meaningful contributor.

Gary is the right guy to bet on to make that leap. The first round pick looked lost at times in his rookie season, but there’s no denying his athletic ability. He’s just the sort of raw talent that should make a big leap in his second season in the NFL.

That’s why projecting him to go from two to eight sacks is such a solid bet. His versatility will allow him to find a way onto the field for most of the opponent’s obvious passing downs. His ability to create pressure from both the edge and interior make him a real weapon for the Packers’ pass rush.

It may be happening a season later than the Packers hoped, but Gary is set to breakout in a big way in 2020. He won’t quite get to the double-digit mark in sacks, but eight will be a solid return for the team’s No. 3 pass rusher.