The biggest second-year leap candidate for the Packers

Keisean Nixon led the NFL in kickoff returns last year by a comfortable margin — he had 30, nobody else had more than 22, and just one other player (Xavier Gipson) had more than 18. He’s just an aggressive returner, so I don’t see a higher volume as a big issue for him.

That being said, the differences are extreme. We still don’t know which players will succeed or not in that type of play. From what we know and talking to coaches that were around the XFL over the last couple of years, I get the sense that punt returners might be even more successful than old kickoff returners, because agility and quickness to change directions can be more important than final speed.

Therefore, a player like Jayden Reed or even MarShawn Lloyd can be used as rotational returners to see how they go. Last year, Nixon had 14 punt returns, but outside a 34-yard return, his performance wasn’t impressive.

I’m willing to wait and see how Jordan Morgan will perform at left tackle, because the Packers clearly think he can play there despite the short arms. However, we can work with the information we have right now. With that in mind, I would take the worst starter off the field, which is Sean Rhyan. He was significantly worse than Jon Runyan, who was playing injured last year. And there was a perception that Rhyan was a better run blocker because of a couple highlights, but there was no consistency.

My ideal offensive line today would have Rasheed Walker - Elgton Jenkins - Josh Myers - Jordan Morgan - Zach Tom.

That’s a fun question because I wrote about the easiest and hardest stretches , but not about my favorite one. And that’s the stretch between weeks 5 and 7, games against the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans. The Rams have had a similar path than the Packers, overachieving in comparison to previous expectations in 2023, but now they are without Aaron Donald.

The Cardinals didn’t have much talent last year, however it’s a well coached team and could impose interesting schematic challenges for the Packers. And finally, a game between Jordan Love and CJ Stroud is must-watch TV. I can’t understand why the NFL didn’t put it as a standalone, primetime game.

By default, off-ball linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has to have the biggest impact for the Packers, simply because the team has no other viable option. I expected they would take a middle linebacker instead of another weak-side piece, but Jeff Hafley likes blitzers and could easily use Cooper and Quay Walker together.

Jordan Morgan and Javon Bullard can also be day 1 starters, Evan Williams might have a shot too, but the Packers are trying to correct previous mistakes approaching the linebacker position by giving Cooper a chance, and he has to pan out.

Regarding the second-year jump, I am expecting a big year of Lukas Van Ness with the defensive coordinator change. He showed good flashes as a rookie, and while his ceiling might not be so high, he had a better year 1 than Rashan Gary did back in 2019. He might play better in a 4-3 defense with his hands on the ground and attacking the opposing offensive line.

The Packers have that insane stretch when they face the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks, all in primetime. The takes coming out of these games will be insane, one way or the other.

And about Brazil, I’m still considering how I’ll be able to go to São Paulo. I will be there, but the logistics won’t be easy as the city I live in, Porto Alegre, is going through the biggest flood in its history. The airport has been closed and there isn’t a certainty that it’ll be open before September. I’ll have to go by car to another city, and then take a flight to São Paulo. But it’s an opportunity Brazilian football fans can’t pass up.