Five Packers Who Should Have an Expanded Role in 2020
A look at five Packers who should have a bigger role for the team in the coming NFL season:
By GilMartin
The 2020 NFL Draft is over and now the schedule has been released. As we look ahead to the 2020 Green Bay Packers season, we begin to wonder which players on the Packers roster will be assuming bigger roles on the team in 2020.
Rookies are not eligible to make this list as obviously they did not have any role on the team in 2019. Players who were on the injured reserve last season are eligible, however, if they are projected to earn more playing time this season.
Here is a look at five Packers who should have a bigger role for the team in the coming NFL season:
1. TE Jace Sternberger
Sternberger looks to be the frontrunner to become the Packers starting tight end in 2020. The second-year man out of Texas A&M did not catch a pass during the regular season after missing the first half of the season due to injury.
Sternberger played some H-back late in the year and showed he was a better run blocker than most scouts had said when he came out of college.
In the playoffs, he caught three passes including his first NFL touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
With Jimmy Graham now in Chicago and the Packers expected to use more multiple tight end formations as Matt LaFleur installs more of his offense, expect Sternberger to get a lot more playing time in 2020.
2. DB Chandon Sullivan
Sullivan had a strong first season in Green Bay as the Packers dime back. The undrafted free agent out of Georgia State was on the field for 34 percent of the Packers defensive plays and was in on 30 total tackles last season.
Sullivan made a big interception that was a key play in the Packers win over the Cowboys in Dallas last year. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 35.5 percent of their passes when throwing at Sullivan according to profootballreference.com.
Last year’s nickel back, Tramon Williams, is still unsigned. Sullivan is now a leading contender to assume the nickel back role, especially if he continues to show progress after his strong performance a year ago.
3. ILB Oren Burks
The Packers enter the 2020 season with a lot of question marks at inside linebacker. Both of last year’s starters, Blake Martinez and B.J. Goodson, left in free agency. The Pack signed Christian Kirksey to take over as the starter at Martinez’s old spot, but there is no clear-cut favorite to take over for Goodson.
Third-year man Oren Burks is the leading candidate on the roster. He is the only player with starting experience at ILB in the NFL, having started four games at the position in 2018.
Burks has suffered injuries in the preseason in both of his campaigns with the Packers and that has hampered his progress.
Last year, the Vanderbilt alum was only on the field for six percent of the Packers defensive snaps, a number that should go up significantly if Burks can stay healthy and prove to the coaching staff he’s ready to play a larger role in the defense.
4. OLB Rashan Gary
Gary was the Packers first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but the former University of Michigan star saw limited playing time behind Preston and Za’Darius Smith at edge rusher.
Gary recorded 21 total tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hits as a rookie while playing in 24 percent of Green Bay’s defensive snaps. The coaching staff intended to bring Gary along slowly as a rookie as he made the transition from defensive lineman in college to outside linebacker in the NFL.
With Kyler Fackrell gone via free agency and a year of experience under his belt, expect Gary to see a lot more playing time in 2020. Gary can rush the passer from the edge as an outside linebacker or to put his hand on the ground and rush as a defensive lineman. His versatility and added familiarity in Mike Pettine’s defense should result in increased playing time for Gary in his second NFL season.
5. DL Kingsley Keke
Keke showed some flashes of ability during both the preseason and regular season of his rookie year with the Packers. The Texas A&M product played in 14 games as a rookie and was in on 10 tackles while recording one quarterback hit.
He was in the lineup for just nine percent of the Packers defensive plays in 2019, a number that should shoot up in his second season in the league.
The coaching staff is expecting Keke to make a second year jump this season. In addition, the Packers did not draft a defensive lineman and only added a depth free agent in Treyvon Hester in the offseason.
Of all the returning linemen, Keke is the one most likely to show major improvement in 2020 and to claim a bigger role on the team at a position that clearly needs to improve for the Pack to be contenders again this season.
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Comments (64)
Dzehren
May 09, 2020 at 01:16 pm
Hopefully WR EQ & CB Jackson take a leap as well.
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 01:24 pm
That would certainly be welcomed. Thanks for commenting, Dzehren.
Coldworld
May 09, 2020 at 04:26 pm
Maybe Hollman and Ento can continue to develop. Hollman would provide welcome depth on the outside.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:45 pm
Hope he can. I know his bump and run play excited the coaching staff in camp last year.
Guam
May 10, 2020 at 08:20 am
I would have put ESB on the list ahead of Burks. ESB was playing well (outplaying MVS) during the last 4-5 games of his rookie season and his injury last year was very unfortunate. I have seen nothing from Burks to indicate he is a keeper at this point. I hope he proves me wrong, but I expect more from ESB than from Burks in 2020.
Coldworld
May 10, 2020 at 11:15 am
ESB had a mediocre camp in the true sense. I think that is coloring impressions from year 1. I thought he had just started to show up when he got injured.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:47 pm
I hope St. Brown becomes a bigger part of the offense this year. I wonder what might have happened if he didn't get hurt last season. Thanks for the comment.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 10, 2020 at 01:16 pm
DZ,
Really do not know what to make of Jackson. I'm definitely in the camp he should be moved to Safety but he is at the mercy of the coaching staff. Lacks speed but he certainly has instincts and anticipation and not sure why the coaches will not make the move. Until they do I do not think Jackson is going to be much of a factor.
I am thinking in addition to those mentioned in the post I think we will see some significant improvement with the WR big three: ESB, MVS, and Lazard. All in their 3rd year which is when you usually see significant improvement. Plus, factor in the new offensive system being year 2.
I also believe the list of 5 is too short!
I am thinking we will see a 'huge' improvement with the implementation and usage of Tyler Ervin. I keep hoping we see Ervin and A. Jones used much more in the slot receiver role. Both quick, fast twitch and elusive with good hands. A steady dose of Ervin in the slot would be wise and good choice.
Personally, if we do not see a significant improvement in Darnell Savage I'd be dissapointed with all the draft capital to move up and get him. I believe we will see the improvement!
Without question I also believe we will see significant improvement in the following players but how much and whether they are able to see any significant playing time is another thing altogether:
1. Yosh Nijman
2. Dexter Williams
3. Robert Tonyan - was injured last year and definitely better than what he showed last year. How much playing time will he get this year with Jace?
4. Ty Summers at LB - extremely athletic and fast. Will things slow down for him in yr 2?
5. Bolton at LB - looked very promising!
6. Ka 'dar Holman - what do we have here with all the speed and athletism?
7. Raven Greene
8. A reach but I have liked what little I have seen in Malik Taylor. I see talent!
9. Will either Randy Ramsey or Greg Roberts step up or are they just camp fodder? Big reaches!
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:52 pm
Thanks for the comment. All of the players you listed are definite possibilities to step up and improve and I'd love to see it. I didn't want to have a list that long, but obviously there is a lot of potential for younger players in the second year of this system to step up.
Roadrunner23
May 09, 2020 at 01:23 pm
Good assessment Gil, I would agree with these 5 since were not counting rookies here. With 4 of the 5 being defensive players I would expect the defense to improve greatly especially also with guys like Amos, Savage and the Smiths having another year in Pettine’s system.
The Packers are going to use Sternberger in the slot quite a bit like a big WR and not so much in line which should create some mis-matches and let’s not forget about BIG Bob Tonyan coming off injury.
Looking forward to seeing improvements on both sides of the ball being the 2nd year in MLF offense also!
Go Pack!
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 01:26 pm
Thanks for the kind words, nostradanus. I agree with how the Packers are likely to use Sternberger. He should be getting a lot of playing time. I would love to see more from Tonyan this season. He has a good size/speed ratio and if he can make that leap, he can be a helpful contributor. Thanks for commenting.
Tundraboy
May 09, 2020 at 09:43 pm
Go Pack is right. Can't wait!
TarynsEyes
May 09, 2020 at 01:29 pm
Stating the obvious, especially since this team is counting on them to make 'jumps' in performance which in turn should command expanded roles.
What if a few of these players don't jump into expanded roles.
Are the Packers ready and able to sustain any fallback from other players, less those mentioned who may fail to rise up.
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 01:33 pm
Obviously, these players will have to earn that extra playing time with better performances. If not, one thing we know about Gute is that he's not afraid to bring in players to help improve the team during the season. Last year, Tyler Ervin and Jared Veldheer were two of the better additions.
If these players don't earn expanded roles, there are other candidates who will have to fill the void, but these are the top 5 as of right now.
It will be an interesting offseason and training camp if and when we have one.
Thanks for commenting, Tarynfor12.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 10:42 pm
Can't see Burks doing much. MAybe they keep him around on sp teams again?
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:53 pm
We shall see. He's looked good in the preseason before his injuries. But then last year, nothing in the regular season at least on defense. He's at a crossroads for sure. Thanks for the comment.
Leatherhead
May 09, 2020 at 05:15 pm
Well, I guess we’ll find out in the games.
You always hope your 2 and 3 year players have improved from when they were drafted. Currently , about half of the 90 man roster has been in the league two seasons or less. If some of them are an improvement over last season (stronger, faster, smarter, more experienced) then your team has improved.
These guys have the great benefit of being cheap. If more than half your roster is serviceable and cheap, that leaves more money for some more expensive players. We might have a guy from last year’s practice squad make a big leap .
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:57 pm
It always helps the salary cap to have serviceable players on your roster who are on their rookie contracts. There are a lot of candidates who could fit that description on the roster as we head towards training camp (hopefully). Thanks for commenting, Leatherhead.
TheVOR
May 10, 2020 at 10:52 am
Once again Taryn and TheVOR are in total sync.
First off, 2 of the 5 will have little to no impact. Keke, and Burks are roster fodder, we can only hope, but Burks doesn't have an NFL body, and Keke couldn't even got on the field for good reason.
Furthermore when Burks was on the field, he was nothing. This is a classic Ted Thompson move by Gutz, insisting players he drafted are in fact genuine, and we waste years figuring out they don't have an NFL bone in there body.
Gary was a wasted pick at 12, that 12 hole pick had massive destructive implications for the Packers. If they had dropped back 5-8 picks, selected the player they loved, who would have been Savage, and simply played out 2x #1's, 2x #2's and a third in the first 76 picks in the draft, we could have CRUSHED that draft. Instead we sit with Gary! Lets say Gary just turns out to be a Journeyman, occasional pop player. Total wasted pick. He's a rotational guy, not a starter. Horrible selection.
I really Like Sullivan, that dude belongs. Also like Jace Sternberger, think he has a chance to pop.
My 2... Burks and Keke have little chance of ever becoming significant. JMO..
Coldworld
May 10, 2020 at 11:19 am
Burks I can see and my gut says the same. Not sure why you wrote off Keke at this stage. Really can’t fathom the logic on that one unless you have him confused with Montravius Adams? If so, we agree.
Any player can turn things round suddenly. Those two are the ones I feel least likely to (I stress gut ferling over real basis).
jannesbjornson
May 10, 2020 at 02:03 pm
I think Keke was under-utilized in the last half of the season. He looked sound in the playoff stretch and has quick ness from the three tech. He should be an improved player.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:06 pm
I think it's a little too soon to say Keke won't become anything more than roster fodder. Same with Gary. Let's see if he takes a step up in his second year. The Packers actually ended up doing very well at his position, edge rusher, with Za'Darius and Preston Smith ahead of him on the depth chart. Also really like Sullivan and Sternberger, but we'll see how they develop. Thanks for commenting.
Bure9620
May 09, 2020 at 01:39 pm
Gary needs to get on the field more, if nothing else to spell Z and Smith...they played a ton of snaps last year
Gary was beginning to put it together last year. I expect a big jump.
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 02:56 pm
I think that's going to happen, Bure9620. He's got a load of natural ability and a great work ethic. Hopefully, he sees the field a lot more this season. Thanks for the comment.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 10:51 pm
He and Za have enough size to go from stand up to hand on the ground. I see Gary and Za creating a lot of mis-matches with P.Smith and Kirksey bringing it from inside and out. I'm hoping Kamal Martin earns playing time at ILB. he is a better player than Burks.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:10 pm
I'm very interested to see what Kamal Martin does as a rookie. Not too many 5th round picks make an immediate impact but there is an opening at the position and it's possible he can see some significant playing time. Thanks for the comment.
TheVOR
May 10, 2020 at 10:53 am
Gary was a wasted pick at 12, that 12 hole pick had massive destructive implications for the Packers. If they had dropped back 5-8 picks, selected the player they loved, who would have been Savage, and simply played out 2x #1's, 2x #2's and a third in the first 76 picks in the draft, we could have CRUSHED that draft. Instead we sit with Gary! Lets say Gary just turns out to be a Journeyman, occasional pop player. Total wasted pick. He's a rotational guy, not a starter. Horrible selection.
Packer_Fan
May 09, 2020 at 02:15 pm
Yes, these are the guys to step up. But I would add St Brown and MVS too. And rookie picks in the 2nd and 3rd round. If they don't, the Pack will be struggling against some of the teams on their schedule. We won't have the Giants and Redskins to start a winning streak and gain momentum in the middle of the season.
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 02:58 pm
I didn't include rookies in this article since they weren't on the team last season but they do have to contribute this season. As for St. Brown and MVS, they certainly will get a chance to show they can step up and get more playing time. Hopefully they will. Thanks for commenting.
Leatherhead
May 09, 2020 at 06:04 pm
Those two are #4 and #5 receivers, best case. I don’t particularly think the Packers need big contributions from them this season.
Tedlyflyfisher
May 09, 2020 at 10:26 pm
I really thought MVS would light it up last year. He was a huge disappointment. I’m not sure how much of that was due to being nicked up. St. Brown, on the other hand, hasn’t shown me enough to get excited. I don’t get the hype for him. I hope he proves me wrong, though.
PhantomII
May 09, 2020 at 10:48 pm
EQ is pretty smooth in his slant route is what I noticed. He's pretty thin also though so he may keep getting the hurt put on him. I think his dad was a body builder with success at it so that is kinda funny also. Dad put a little more meat on this kid.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 10:57 pm
His speed is around 4.45, why slow him down with more bulk? He is strong enough with his old man training him since grade school. He was the ascending player from all the rookies in 2018. He has more athletic ability and the natural route running skills. He will be a factor this season , more than MVS.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:12 pm
MVS was seemingly doing very well for the first four games of the season, but he fell off dramatically after that, catching 12 passes in the first four games and almost none the rest of the way. Either he or St. Brown need to step up and provide more at the WR position this season. We shall see what happens. Thanks for commenting.
stockholder
May 09, 2020 at 02:30 pm
1. sternberger 2. Jones 3. Funchess 4. Savage 5. KeKe
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 03:05 pm
Funchess wasn't with the team last year so he couldn't make my list. How do you see Jones doing more in 2020 than he did in 2019? Thanks for commenting.
stockholder
May 09, 2020 at 07:17 pm
Jones = More carries and more Targets/catches.
Stroh
May 10, 2020 at 07:15 pm
Jones getting more carries and touches = more injuries! He's a really good player, but he's too small and injury prone to get more touches. They still had to limit his touches last year, just like McCarthy had to. Why the heck do you think they drafted a hammer like Dillon? He'll do alot and help take most of the heavy work so Jones can succeed in a role that more suits him.
Qoojo
May 09, 2020 at 03:27 pm
Burks it the only choice I disagree with. He's pretty much in the same position as last year, due to the LB signed from Cleveland.
GilMartin
May 09, 2020 at 03:37 pm
It's possible that Burks won't assume a bigger role. We shall see if he can step up. I think he's the favorite to start opposite Kirksey, but that still could be only 25 percent of the plays if he plays the same role as Goodson did last year. Thanks for commenting.
Coldworld
May 10, 2020 at 11:29 am
Burks is as likely to be on the street as starting in my view. He has no defensive experience. Bolton, a UDFA, outplayed him before his injury last year. Yes he was a high draft pick, relatively, but his injury history and poor showing in camp last year mean that he not only has to prove he can make day one, but that he can actually cover.
They now have Martin (whom I’m high on), Bolton and another interesting UDFA in Barnes plus Summers who is equally good on special teams. Just getting harder for Burks.
On merit from camp a year ago, Bolton has a fair claim to start camp as the second ILB. If Burke’s can outplay him and the others, the team wins, but the odds are against it as far as I can see.
Since91
May 09, 2020 at 05:13 pm
How bout this thought?
What if Aaron Jones and Aaron Rodgers have better years than last year?
What if Alexander, Amos and Lowry have better years than last year?
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 01:44 pm
All good thoughts...I would love to see it happen. Thanks for commenting.
Tabin
May 10, 2020 at 04:20 am
Gary should have a very big jump this year. He played quite well in a limites sample last year. We have to consider that he was asked to do more things than rush the QB, he played well in run downs and even had to drop in coverage once in a while.
Sullivan showed enough to hope for a jump but it could be that he made the jump last year and is a low celing player, we will see more in a few months. Hollmann is more suited to play outside and with Jones almost lost for the cause, as discussed in previous articles. I see Sullivan right now as the first slot CB. I think they should try Savage as slot CB and Jackson (corrected) as FS. I see Savage being a great slot CB and Jones could not be worse than he is as CB.
Hollmann should do the jump too the guy has a great work ethic. Last preseason he showed a lot of potential that didn´t translate into the regular season. I expect him to see some snaps on the outside as replacement for King and Alexander.
Sternberger played very well at the end of the year and showed that he can block. His hands are as good as the tape showed in college. Tonyan last year put some weight to be able to block better but he lost a step in the passing game. Hopefully he finds the balance.
Keke should get ahead of Adams, who showed almost nothing in 3 years. Willis has a very good chance to make the team ahead of Lancaster and Hester. At this point I think that Clark, Lawry, Keke and Willis are locked on the 53.
Burks lost my hope on the guy. We talked about him on the article of the ILB.
I have a big hope for EQ and Lazard, If Funches adapts to the system and EQ and Lazard improve as we all hope GB will have a great WR group. The rest of the guys will fight for 1 or 2 places I tend to think that Kumerow and Sheperd will have a harder time making the team than MVS or Begelton. I have no idea how good Stewart and Taylor are.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Who is this Jones fellow? Like Keke to take charge. He showed well in the playoffs and was under utilized last season.
Tabin
May 10, 2020 at 04:19 am
Sorry I meant Josh Jackson not Jones. I got confused with Josh Jones
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:14 pm
Almost wasn't fair having to Josh's with their last names starting with J joining the team at roughly the same time. Thanks for the comment, Tabin.
Archie
May 09, 2020 at 06:28 pm
1 - Young team;
2 - 2nd year in MLF offensive system; and,
3 - R2, R3 & R5 draft picks could help in year 1.
All adds up to reason for optimism.
Bulaga & Williams are only significant losses.
Biggest Impact Other Than Rodgers/Jones/Adams - With size/speed similar to Earl Campbell, Dillon has a chance to be a stud RB. He and Jones could form an amazing backfield, ala Hornung/Taylor.
Major remaining questions on offense are: (1) right side of OL; and, (2) who will be the #2 WR. Don't expect Wr3 formations to be more than 20%. A whole new style of offense is coming to GB, ala Lombardi style (modern version).
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:00 pm
Yes, the team is young and there are several players who can step up and improve in year two or year three of their careers. Agree on the WR formations. We will see more two TE formations and fullback/H-back usage as well. Thanks for the comment.
SugarCain
May 09, 2020 at 08:09 pm
Totally agree and include EQ St Brown too...He was so dominate at Notre Dame and always made big plays.
Gary will get more snaps and have 6-8 sacks.
Sternberger is an upgrade on offense.
Tundraboy
May 09, 2020 at 09:57 pm
Been a while since someone from Notre Dame dominated for the Pack. Wouldn't that be great.
PackfanNY
May 09, 2020 at 08:39 pm
I have not heard a thing about Oren Burks. Not from camps. Not from practice and certainly not in games that would indicate that Burks could provide the type of play that is needed. He’s heading toward bust status.
I am usually an optimist but it is far more likely Burks is cut during camp than earning playing time or even a job.
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:19 pm
Hope you're wrong but he really didn't show much during the regular season last year. It was frustrating that the coaching staff didn't put him on the field much but obviously he has to earn it. This is probably his last chance to make an impact. Thank for the comment and stay safe.
Stroh
May 10, 2020 at 07:53 pm
I give Burks a better chance of contributing than Jackson. He's easily the biggest bust. I'm not ready to say Burks is going to be successful, but he has a much better chance than Jackson.
CheesyTex
May 09, 2020 at 09:33 pm
No love for Yosh Nijman? A jump from him would have us smiling for years to come.
Coldworld
May 10, 2020 at 11:32 am
Love his potential. Looking for a big jump technically, but maybe another year to be a true competitor for game time? He was as raw as he is physically gifted.
jannesbjornson
May 10, 2020 at 02:07 pm
Runyun should beat him out.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
May 12, 2020 at 02:41 pm
Cheesy,
A big jump for Yosh would be bigger than HUGE!
The lack of talent and depth at Tackle is probably the biggest concern I have going into 2020. I know they can move some guys around but they are only guys and not top notch OT talent. Love to see Yosh be that diamond in the rough who actually taps his athletic abilities and becomes a starting OT because of his talent and not because of injuries and circumstances.
Archie
May 10, 2020 at 07:54 am
I give every rook 3 years to develop and show he can contribute. Monty Adams time ran out last year I believe. Burks and the WRs must step up this year or they may be unemployed come September.
tony4GB
May 10, 2020 at 10:01 am
Please tell me why with so much talent can't Gary move over and play next to Kirksey much like former #52
GilMartin
May 10, 2020 at 02:08 pm
Don't think he's equipped to be an ILB but I'll never say never. We shall see what Pettine and the defensive coaching staff decide to do. I'm sure he'll line up in multiple positions over the course of the season, but I think it's more likely to be edge rusher and along the defensive line rather than ILB. Thanks for the comment, tony4GB.
jannesbjornson
May 10, 2020 at 02:09 pm
Maybe they bring him from the middle like Za ,last season. Both 277# guys, not 250 like CMIII. I like Martin.
PatrickGB
May 10, 2020 at 01:45 pm
Fackrell was the player who would often drop in coverage when faking the rush. I don’t see Gary with that ability. Preston Smith is better at that.
As others have noted, M. Adams looks like a bust. No one seems to expect much from him this year. I sure hope that his declining play was due to injuries and that he improves this year. If not, he is gone.
dobber
May 10, 2020 at 02:01 pm
It's a contract year for Adams. He turned the corner with a really good senior year in college. Maybe he'll be good enough this year to help the Packers' D and to help the Packers earn a little better comp pick when they let him go.