When the Green Bay Packers signed veteran defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois to a one-year deal on March 23, it appeared to be a solid but unflashy addition to bolster depth on the defensive line. 

However, as the season inches closer, the possibility that Jean Francois will make considerable contributions in 2017 continues to grow.

While there's no question 28-year-old defensive end Mike Daniels is the king of the Packers defensive line, Jean Francois, 30, has a unique opportunity to provide leadership to his young teammates in second-year players Dean Lowry and Kenny Clark, as well as 25-year-old Christian Ringo.

There's a world in which 10-year NFL veteran Letroy Guion would be in line for significant snaps this season and would be able to team with Daniels to provide mentorship to the relatively young players on the line; however, with Guion suspended for the first four games of the season (his second in three seasons) and now dealing with yet another offseason arrest, there's suddenly a greater opportunity for Jean Francois than there was back in March when he was signed. 

As a result, the scope of the role he could play in the season ahead has widened considerably.

To start, he already seems to have Daniels' approval.

Daniels spoke to Stu Courtney of USA Today Network-Wisconsin about Jean Francois' opportunity to step in and provide leadership:

"Ricky, he just comes from such a strong defensive coach [Vic Fangio] over there in San Francisco," Daniels said. "Those guys, they were big, they were mean, tough and nasty. But they played together. I think with the guys we have here, that’s really something that’s growing as well, some true leadership on our side of the ball, and a little more true ownership and guys that want to be the best. And that’s something I think he’s brought over here, just that mentality."

Daniels added, "He’s good for our room and he does things the right way. He shows the young guys the ropes."

Whether or not the Packers keep Guion on the 53-man roster in 2017, it's clear that he's not doing things "the right way." That certainly opens the door wider for Jean Francois, who is well aware of the unique opportunity he has to come into an established team that gives deference to youth like the Packers:

“To get that phone call that the Green Bay Packers want you is rare,” said Jean Francois. “It’s rare that you see them go outside and pick guys up and if they do, it’s for a reason.

"On the first day of meetings when all the new guys stand up, I’m used to seeing like five or six guys stand up and there were only three guys to stand up. I’m blessed to get picked up.”

Leadership and experience are all well and good, but the defensive line is in need of an injection of talent. Jean Francois can provide that, too, perhaps even better than Guion can.

Per STATS, in the last two seasons, Jean Francois had 3.5 sacks, 13 hurries, and six stuffs in 826 snaps. Guion, by contrast, had zero sacks, 7.5 hurries, and eight stuffs in 774 snaps (h/t Packer Report's Bill Huber).

There's no question that the Packers offense is expected to be championship-caliber in 2017, especially with the recent additions of tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks and Ty Montgomery heading into his first full-time season at running back. 

The defense, however, is another story. Right now, it's a huge question mark, with the potential to hinder the Packers yet again from reaching the Super Bowl. 

After all, Green Bay finished No. 8 in total offense in 2016...and No. 22 in total defense. Of course, the front seven is hardly entirely to blame; Green Bay had the second-worst pass defense in the league last season. 

Daniels knows that all too well, and his determination to whip his unit into shape is, in a word, intense:

"I’ve been in the playoffs every year, been to two NFC Championship games, been in divisional games, and I know this team can get there, it’s just a matter of making sure we all can believe we can get there," Daniels told Mike Spofford of Packers.com. 

But Daniels can't do it alone. He'll need help. The onus is on Lowry and Clark to make strides in their sopomore seasons, but Daniels needs another veteran presence. Jean Francois could be the answer, if he rises to the occasion.