Occasionally I’ll take to Twitter to ask you all what topic you’re interested in reading about on a given day. But, there are also weeks during the offseason where a Q&A makes more sense so we can talk about a bunch of different topics in the same thread. Our last Q&A was in early March, so I thought I’d bring it back now that we’re into the middle of May with plenty of new things to discuss! 

Mark (@1dullgeek): Assuming a season, do you anticipate a better year in 2020 than 2019, about the same, or worse? Why?

I feel like this is really tricky because on paper, anything less than a Super Bowl appearance is worse, right? The 2019 Packers were blessed with some exceptional health as a roster, and it seems hard to imagine they’ll have that same luck in 2020. But that said, even if the record is worse, I think this team is still poised for a playoff push. On offense, the biggest loss is of course Bryan Bulaga, but the Packers got some additional weapons (though not the ones we maybe expected) for Rodgers in Devin Funchess, A.J. Dillon, and Josiah Deguara. The defense stayed mostly the same, swapping Blake Martinez for Christian Kirksey, but I hope the young corners take a leap now that Tramon Williams has yet to be re-signed. To me, still, the biggest hole is that run defense. Pettine is going to need some creativity in his personnel packages to fix that since the guys alongside Kenny Clark remain mostly unproven. 

Jimmy (@Jimmy_C08) Could the 2019 draft class be one of the best overall classes?

Elgton Jenkins is already a stud and a long-term starter at his position. Rashan Gary has a big opportunity ahead of him going into year two. Darnell Savage is a mainstay on defense, and Jace Sternberger is coming into his second season as TE1. So if all of those picks contribute meaningfully in this second season, then I definitely think there’s potential there. Especially if some of the later round guys like Ty Summers, Ka’dar Hollman, and Kingsley Keke see the field and make contributions in their limited reps on defense. 

Scott (@scottyd2413) I was always pretty high on Mike Daniels during his time in GB. He was a beast. How has he not been signed yet and I don’t even see him ranked among the top remaining free agents?

I think this pandemic has made medical evaluations exponentially more difficult. Daniels to me feels like someone that would’ve been signed if he could have an in-person workout with a team to prove he’s healthy. Once teams are back practicing and players are allowed to take visits, I expect Daniels to latch on with a roster before the season begins. Same with “Snacks” Harrison. Those guys will find their landing spots as unfortunate injuries crop up in training camp and the preseason. 

Joshua (jdkiskamp) Every year we see “I can’t believe Packers drafted X instead of Y” (example Kevin King over Watt). In the last 3-5 years are there any players taken after the Packers you say “thank God we took X instead of Y” in the first 2 or 3 rounds because Y didn’t pan out?

Is it a cop out to say the Kenny Clark first round pick here? I don’t feel like Clark was on everyone’s radar at the time, but he truly was one of Ted Thompson’s best first round picks. I know Packers fans wanted a linebacker like Jaylon Smith or Myles Jack, and maybe the middle of the defense would look different now, but the defensive line would also look lightyears different without Kenny Clark, who’s still an ascending player entering his FIFTH NFL season at only 24 years old. And this isn't to say Smith and Jack aren't panning out on their respective rosters, but Clark still has upside going into his fifth season. He was a homerun. 

DanLa (@lachad) M. Adams...total nothing arrest but will it cost him a roster spot?

I mean it’s certainly not ideal since Adams plays the position with the least amount of depth on the roster, but I don’t think the charges will have much influence on his roster spot. His performance will mean more in that aspect. He’s entering his make-or-break season and he’s got a huge opportunity to take those next steps. The coaching staff remains high on him. Hopefully competition from the back half of the depth chart will push him towards his full potential. A breakout season from Adams could likely be the missing piece on this defense. 

(@DraftHobbyist) How much will we see Jordan Love in the preseason? Will Aaron Rodgers get no playing time like last preseason? Will the Packers use the easing of anti-tampering restrictions to go get Mike LaFleur?

It’s hard to imagine Rodgers playing in the preseason, unless he’s in for a series or two to acclimate himself with guys like Devin Funchess, but they’ll do that more in training camp anyway. I think Tim Boyle will still get the start in at least the first few preseason games unless Love comes in and just lights up Ray Nitschke Field during training camp. Since he’s experiencing the virtual offseason and won’t have as much hands-on time to learn, I think Boyle at least gets those initial reps, but I’d expect Love to play more as the preseason goes on. As far as Mike LaFleur, I feel like he’s pretty set in San Francisco. While I’m sure the brothers would like to coach together, it’s possible Mike will get poached sooner rather than later for a coordinating gig. Unless Matt wants to move on from Nathaniel Hackett, I’m not sure Mike would want to move laterally and accept another passing game coordinator role. 

Brian (@BHarmz) Why do you think the Vegas odds for the Packers to win it all went down after the draft? Do you agree? Do you anticipate a significant personnel move between now and the season starting? Who on the Packers has the most pressure this season?

This is a three-parter but I really liked all three questions. For the Vegas odds, teams like the Saints and 49ers had strong rosters on paper and still took steps to improve. The Packers, while good on paper, didn’t have a dramatic draft that addressed the team’s perceived weaknesses, despite bringing in weapons that LaFleur and Gutekunst are excited about. With Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Jace Sternberger on the roster, it doesn’t feel like the team’s first three draft picks this year are in for hefty contributions in year one, which likely knocked down their odds. With roster moves, I don’t see any splash signings since the Packers need to make sure there’s enough cap space for the 2021 free agents (and there are some studs entering free agency), but I could see a surprise cut or two. I’m not sure moving on from guys like Lane Taylor or Jamaal Williams would surprise anyone (and I am actively against moving on from Jamaal Williams, for the record), but I’d expect a cut more than a signing. Finally, who has the most pressure. Aaron Rodgers? Is it Aaron Rodgers? His heir apparent just got drafted and that’s all everyone is going to talk about the second he looks less than godly on the field. I expect Rodgers to come out swinging in 2020 and hopefully win another MVP in the process (Super Bowl and NFL). 

Steve (@S_Johannes) Will the Packers keep Aaron Jones long-term?

I don’t think the A.J. Dillon selection spelled the end for Jones in Green Bay or anything, but I do think he’s insurance for the Packers if Jones prices himself out of GB. Jones and Dillon have such different running styles I’d love for them to be a long-term duo, especially if Jones gets more looks in the passing game, too. It’s kind of a non-answer to say it’ll all depend on the contract Jones wants, but that’s the truth. The Packers will prioritize Kenny Clark and (hopefully) David Bakhtiari, so they’re not working with a ton of extra cap space to handle Corey Linsley, Kevin King, and Aaron Jones. 

(@watchful_be) Could LaFleur consider using Love in the Taysom Hill-type role?

Could he? Yes. Will he? I don’t think so. I think Love is LaFleur’s future at the quarterback position, and LaFleur will make sure Love has all of the tools he needs to be successful learning from Aaron Rodgers. Maybe Love would come in for a trick play or two, but I don’t see him playing that running back, tight end, passing threat role that Hill plays for the Saints. 

Brice (@InterpretedByBC) Who’s your surprise 53-man roster prediction? Like Chandon Sullivan was last year and even Darrius Shepherd coming out of nowhere. 

I feel like Treyvon Hester doesn’t count here because he’s had some NFL experience, but he’d be my initial pick. Beyond him, though, I’m really rooting for Kabion Ento. He had a strong 2019 training camp and preseason and was on the Packers’ practice squad for the entire 2019 season. With opportunities presenting themselves at corner, Ento could take that next step and secure his spot as a rotational depth player and special teamer. I love that he’s a former wide receiver. The Packers have found success in the past at corner with converted WRs. As far as pure UDFAs are concerned, I’m a fan of Krys Barnes, the inside linebacker out of UCLA. Honestly though, I can’t remember a time when I’ve looked at the UDFA class and thought it’s been as strong as this current 2020 Packers class. Lots of names to keep an eye on.  

Thank you for the questions and I’m sorry I didn’t get to all of them! I love doing the occasional Q&A because it feels like a conversation and getting to talk to Packers fans is just about my favorite thing. We’ll do this again soon!