During the 4 years under the Matt LeFleur/Aaron Rodgers combination, the Green Bay Packers felt like they always had one piece missing.
Green Bay Packers So Close Yet So Far
No reliable second option for Devante Adams one year, no depth at linebacker another, or even a suspect special teams unit that cost them the 2022 Divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers, and perhaps their best shot at a Lombardi Trophy since last hoisting it in 2011.
Now under the breakout stewardship of likely-soon-to-be-paid quarterback, Jordan Love, Green Bay are starting afresh.
And after what has now been 3 consecutive years of multiple picks in the 1st or 2nd (or both) rounds of the NFL draft, the Packers are well stocked at pretty much every position on their roster.
Do The Packers Need Some Nous And Wisdom To Balance Out Youthful Enthusiasm?
However, there is always room for both improvement and experience, especially for a franchise that fielded the youngest team in the NFL in 2023. And Aaron Schatz of ESPN, founder of the DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) system of team performance analysis, believes that the 5 x Super Bowl champions would benefit from the addition of 5 x Pro Bowler and former DPOY, Stephon Gilmore.
“Eric Stokes is penciled in to start opposite Jaire Alexander, but Stokes has played only 12 games in the past two seasons due to different injuries, including ankle and hamstring problems.
The Packers need a backup for Stokes with more experience than Corey Ballentine or Carrington Valentine. Gilmore, 33, still has something left in the tank and would be valuable to the Packers even if he couldn’t beat out Stokes for the starting spot in training camp.”
Schatz is correct that former 1st round pick, Eric Stokes, has struggled mightily with injuries after his impressive debut year, and when back has not quite managed to demonstrate the pedigree that gave him his plaudits as a rookie.
Yet, with both Stokes and No.1 corner, Jaire Alexander, both out for long stretches of the 2023 season, backups Corey Ballantine and rookie Carrington Valentine both stepped up to the plate, leaving Green Bay with the 13th ranked passing defense in the 2023 regular season; an excellent feat for a team missing both of their starting outside corners.
Stephon Gilmore, on the other hand, is coming off of another very good year, grading out with a a 74.4 PFF grade, including a stellar 90.4 rating when targeted.
Would Gilmore price out the Packers? Perhaps. Is he really needed? Also, perhaps. Regardless, as long as the former New England Patriot decides to not hang up his boots, we can rest assured that he will find somewhere to play in 2024.
