With this year’s NFL training camps just weeks away, Last Word on Pro Football will be taking a look at which Green Bay Packers players on each of the 32 teams will be the ones to lead the franchise this season.
They are those players whose on-field success will be inextricably linked to that of their respective teams. But also included are personalities who, despite being at the tail end of their career, are commanding veteran presences crucial to the locker room.
This piece will be taking a look at the Green Bay Packers. There may be many fans and pundits out there who would argue that GOAT-contender and quarterback Aaron Rodgers should be at the top of this list, we’ve looked at those who will really have to step up this year and make a name for themselves.
2020 Green Bay Packers: Three Faces of the Franchise
Za’Darius Smith
Few players were as valuable as veteran linebacker Za’Darius Smith. The 27-year-old finished last season with a league-topping 93 quarterback pressures.
This was in addition to his 13.5 sacks, 55 combined tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and a league-topping 37 QB hits, making him arguably one of the best edge rushers in the league – and one of the most underrated.
This was in Smith’s first season, with a new team and a new system so his productivity
But a more valuable commodity that Smith brought to Green Bay was his leadership and experience which permeated through the roster and helped solidify the team chemistry.
His infectious charisma lifted the players and fans throughout his first season as a Packer and that is sure to continue. With his assertive press conference style, it’s safe to say he should definitely be considered the face of the Green Bay Packers next season.
Aaron Jones
There wasn’t a bigger Pro Bowl snub than that of Packers running back Aaron Jones, who led the league in rushing touchdowns with 16 and tied the league with Christian McCaffrey on 19.
Opposing defenses seemed powerless to stop the 25-year-old who proved to be an integral counterpoint to the passing greatness of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Jones is a large part of why and how the Packers made it to the NFC Championship game last season and if they hope to match or better their Jones will have to repeat his production on the ground.
And that will be no mean feat after the third-year back put up 1,084 yards through 236 attempts.
Look for Jones to be one of if not the impact player for Green Bay next season.
Davante Adams
A surprising stat that came out this week was that wide receiver Davante Adams is the only wide receiver in the NFL to have 40 or more touchdown catches and 4,000 receiving yards since 2016.
In fact, few players have come close with only six with more than 30. Following Adams is Antonio Brown with 37, DeAndre Hopkins at 35, and Mike Evans at 33.
Despite this, Adams is rarely in the conversation of top wide receivers but the veteran Packer is heading into his seventh season and continues to be a solid part of the offense at Lambeau Field.
For all the latest on the Green Bay Packers, be sure to follow us on Facebook here.
