The Green Bay Packers have high hopes of becoming an elite team in the NFC once again. While they struggled for much of 2023, they surged at the end of the regular season and won their last three regular season games.
From Tuesday’s OTAs: #Packers rookie safety Javon Bullard (@cravejaaye) with a mini “Crank Dat” dance 😂🎵
That allowed them to make the playoffs with with a 9-8 record as quarterback Jordan Love grew comfortable with his position in the Packers offense and his performance picked up dramatically. Love was at his best in the postseason as he led the Packers to a runaway road victory over the heavily favored Dallas Cowboys.
The Packers nearly pulled off another upset the following week against the San Francisco 49ers, but the heavily favored Niners rallied in the fourth quarter for the victory.
While the Packers will have to compete with the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions in the NFC North, it appears that this is a team that is moving in the right direction. Matt LaFleur is a sharp head coach who knows how to put Love and the offense in a position to succeed.
Packers make key moves in the offseason
Green Bay attempted to fill a couple of major holes in the on big-ticket free-agent additions of safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs. McKinney signed a four-year $67 million deal that includes $23 million in guaranteed money. Jacobs also received a favorable deal as he will get $67 million over four years. He has $23 million in guaranteed money from that deal.
The Packers also made a couple of huge moves in the NFL Draft.
The first was the selection of offensive tackle Jordan Morgan from Arizona in the first round. Morgan is a 6-5, 311-pound blocker with eye-catching athletic ability for the position. He is explosive and plays with high energy, and he has the kind of rare change of direction that could make him an elite blocker in the NFL.
They also made another major move when they selected linebacker Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M with their first second-round pick. The Packers have a huge hole at the linebacker spot and the hard-hitting Cooper should be able to step right into the starting lineup. Much like Morgan, he is an outstanding athlete for his position.
Cooper is also extremely versatile, as he can rush the passer and play in the backfield and also cover receivers. Look for Cooper to start right next to fellow linebacker Quay Walker next year.
Safety Javon Bullard has the talent to give the Packers an upgrade in the secondary
Getting two big names with their first two picks is a solid move for general manager Brian Gutekunst. A number of other draft picks could help the team raise its overall level of play in 2024, but none of them have the same kind of natural talent as Morgan and Cooper.
However, Javon Bullard may be the exact player the Packers need to pair with McKinney at the safety position.
Bullard was one of the keys to Georgia's national championship run during the 2022 season. He was named the MVP of their playoff run and one of the primary reasons for that was his two interceptions in the national championship game against TCU. Bullard was also consistent during the 2023 season as he did not allow a touchdown pass.
He is an incredibly confident player having had success in a series of big games for one of the most prominent programs in the country. He does not believe that stepping up to NFL competition is going to cause him any problems.
Bullard believes he can do anything the Packers ask him to do in their defense. “Whatever you need me to play, I felt like I proved my versatility throughout this process,” Bullard said. “Cover slot guys, being able to cover tight ends, get down and dirty in the box with running backs, and things like that. I feel I can play all over.”
If he is as good as his word, the Packers may have a legitimate defensive rookie of the year candidate.
