Can Packers rebound from collapse, Nelson injury?

The Green Bay Packers held a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship, eyeing a trip to Super Bowl XLIV, before their season come to an abrupt end with a fourth-quarter comeback from the Seahawks (or collapse by the Packers) and a 35-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse in overtime. Despite their collapse, the Packers entered August as a Super Bowl favourites but an injury to wide receiver Jordy Nelson has thrown a shadow of doubt to the hopes of Titletown. 

Offensive Breakdown

Replacing Nelson

The Green Bay Packers managed to bring their entire starting offence from 2014 into training camp – a rare feat in the NFL and accomplished by re-signing wide receiver Randall Cobb and right tackle Bryan Bulaga.

Yet, after a preseason ACL tear knocked Jordy Nelson, Aaron Rodger’s top receiver, out for the season, the Packers offensive outlook took a major blow.

Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, will now look for Cobb and Davante Adams to pick up the slack in Nelson’s absence, with others chipping in.

Cobb, 25, had a career year in 2014, eclipsing the 1,000-yard for the first time and posting 12 touchdowns. Adams, a second-round pick in 2014, spent most of the first eight games of the season on the sideline before finding a regular role.

The 22-year-old will now be looked upon to become an every-week starter in the Packers explosive offence. Adams ability to be a regular contributor will be integral to the success of Rodgers in his bid to repeat as MVP. Adams flashed breakout ability in 100-yard games against the New England Patriots in Week 13, and against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. In addition, Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy both talked up Adams throughout the off-season, with McCarthy calling Adam's the MVP at OTAs.
 

The Packers will also look to either Jeff Janis or Ty Montgomery to take a role in the team’s oft-used three-wide receiver sets to replace Nelson. Janis flashed playmaking ability in the preseason, but mental errors have him behind Montgomery, a third-round pick in May, on the depth chart.

The Packers may also look to their rushing attack to fill Nelson’s void. Though the team finished 11th in rushing yards per game in 2014, there remains room for improvement – especially early in the season. Running back Eddie Lacy topped 70 yards just once the Packers' first 10 games of the season before topping the mark in each of the final six games.
 

If successful on the ground, Lacy will keep defences from loading up on defensive backs to protect against the lethal arm of Rodgers, which will in turn benefit the wide receivers.

Even despite the loss of a key weapon, the ability of Rodgers and Lacy should give the Packers enough fire power to stay atop of the NFC North. Rodgers MVP campaign however, took a serious blow.

Player to Watch: Richard Rodgers

Rodgers is set to be yet another benefactor of Nelson’s injury. The 23-year-old caught just 20 passes last season, but should be in line for more targets in year two. The 2014 third-round pick drew rave reviews throughout training camp for his ability to catch any ball thrown his way and jumped sixth-year man Andrew Quarless for top spot on the depth chart. This makes the Rodgers-Rodgers connection one to watch this season.

Cause for concern: Left tackle depth

David Bakhtiari has started every game with the Packers since the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. However, the 23-year-old missed two games in the preseason, allowing a clear weakness for the Packers to be exposed. Don Barclay, a career right tackle, was manhandled throughout the preseason and surrendered a sack to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. In the event of an injury, the team could move right tackle Bryan Bulaga to the blindside, but he has never played the position at the pro level. Aside from Aaron Rodgers, Bakhtiari is likely the most important player for the Packers to stay healthy this season.

Defensive Breakdown

New faces, new success?

Unlike the offence, the Packers defence underwent plenty of turnover this offseason, making way for new faces, new opportunities and a lot of question marks.

Cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Davon House departed the team in free agency, while middle linebacker A.J. Hawk - third on the team in tackles last season - was released.

The Packers used their first two selections in the NFL Draft, and three of their first four, to fill the holes caused by the departures.

Damarious Randall, selected 30th overall, and Quinten Rollins, selected in the second round, add depth behind converted slot corner Casey Hayward and Pro Bowler Sam Shields. Randall and Rollins both figure to see playing time this season, along with standout Ladarious Gunter, who made the team as an undrafted free agent.

The Packers entered last season with questions with questions on the back end of the secondary at safety, but first-round pick Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix emerged to form a solid last line of defence with Morgan Burnett. 

In 2014, woes at inside linebacker forced the Packers to move pass rusher Clay Matthews to the position, and while the move shored up the defence overall, it cost the team in quarterback pressures. After fourth-rounder Jake Ryan failed to emerge as the starter next to Sam Barrington, Matthews will be off the line of scrimmage once again to fill the void.

On the defensive line, the Packers will have nose tackle BJ Raji back after the 2009 first-round pick missed the entire 2014 season with torn biceps. At defensive end, Mike Daniels is locked in as a starter, while 2013 first-rounder Datone Jones will compete with Josh Boyd and Letroy Guion for starting duties. Both Guion, Jones are both suspended to start the season - Guion for three games and Jones for one.

In their base set of a 3-4 defence, the Packers entered camp with five spots holding a position battle.  Whether that competition breeds success or not remains to be seen.

Draft Review 

The Packers focused on defence early in the 2015, drafting three players with a chance to make a significant impact in Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and Jake Ryan. Third-round pick Ty Montgomery could make his biggest impact this season in the return game, allowing the Packers to take 1,200-yard receiver Randall Cobb and versatile corner/safety Micah Hyde off special teams.