The Green Bay Packers made the playoffs last year and expectations are once again high. But after coming up short against the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs, the Packers need a few players to have breakout seasons to complete their goal of another Super Bowl title.
Breakout seasons happen every year in the NFL. Sometimes, the player in question makes the leap from very good to superstar. Sometimes, a player goes from role player to key starter. So who will be the breakout players for the Packers in 2017? We've put together five of the most likely candidates below.
WR Geronimo Allison
Here's the first of two offensive players. Allison is clearly fourth on the WR picking order, behind Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. But we know Adams has had his issues for Green Bay and Allison showed promise in limited time last year. So, yes, Allison might need an injury to truly be a breakout player, but of the offensive weapons (who aren't rookies), Allison is a name worth watching.
DT Kenny Clark
The Packers' first round pick last year flashed ability in his rookie year. Now, it's time for him to take another step forward. With Letroy Guion suspended to open the season, Clark is in perfect position to take a starting role on the defensive line after getting more snaps down the stretch last year. Clark won't be a 10 or 15 sack lineman, but he can shore up the run game and cause disruption.
OLB Kyler Fackrell
Julius Peppers and his 7.5 sacks (second on the team) are gone and the Packers need another young player to step up and help replace that production (especially with Clay Matthews aging). Fackrell is ahead of Jayrone Elliott and rookie Vince Biegel on the depth chart after posting two sacks in limited playing time last year. The 2016 3rd round pick has the ability to least help as the third rusher. He had only 13 sacks at Utah State, but did have 36 TFLs
RB/WR Ty Montgomery
This will likely be a popular pick for Packers breakout players, but I'm still cautious. Montgomery played well once moving to RB, but he was never truly a workhorse back. In fact, he only topped 10 carries one time in the regular season. Hopefully he gets more work this year, but the Packers' offense likes to throw it a lot more. Plus, the drafting of Jamaal Williams could limit the volume Montgomery gets. Still, I fully expect Montgomery to have a key role in the offense in the passing game and ground game.
Pick A Young Corner
Yep, I'm totally cheating by not actually naming a player. But one of the Packers young (and non-rookie) corners MUST step up this year. Damarious Randall has struggled with Green Bay, but could find his groove with a move to the nickel. Quinten Rollins has looked the best of the three, but he could lose nickel duties to Randall. Plus, Rollins didn't play as well with more snaps as he did in limited action his rookie year. Then there's LaDarius Gunter, who was forced to cover WRs well above his level and struggled as a result. At least one of those three corners will need to step up and I'm betting we'll have a better idea come the preseason games.
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