Grading the 2016 Packers Season

I'll admit it, I was harsh. I'll also admit that at 4-6, I thought we only had a slim chance to even contend for a Wild Card spot, let alone "Run the Table" and win the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers had to be perfect, and he played as close to possible to it. Never before have I seen a QB play like a chicken with his head cut off game after game on a nearly double-digit win streak. Aaron Rodgers was amazing, and ending the season as the second best team in the NFC, many people were satisfied. That was undoubtedly a realistic expectation before the season began. Some people were overwhelmed, considering we were 4-6, and some people were underwhelmed, given we had arguably the best quarterback in the league. Me? I was whelmed. Don't get me wrong, I'm impressed that they dug out of a 4-6 hole, saving both Mike McCarthy's and Ted Thompson's jobs in the process, but I had Packers vs. Patriots in the Super Bowl from back in July. We were one decent defense away from getting there, too.

Aaron Rodgers was an excellent Quarterback - and an excellent illusionist. He had everyone EXPECTING the Packers to get to the Super Bowl before Wild Card week, when in reality, our talent level was lucky enough to even get there. I graded all regular season games as well as all three playoff games, and combined the rating and statistics into one 19-game evaluation. This qualitative analysis not only reflects the performance level of all 64 players on the active roster at some point this season; the grading metric demonstrates the staggering difference between the powerful play of the offense and the liability we call our defense.

QUARTERBACKS:

Aaron Rodgers, #12: A+
Seriously, who could have done this like Aaron Rodgers. I've never seen a quarterback play as well with his team's metaphorical back against the wall. In playing all but four drives this season, he had 5,432 Yards, 49 TD's, single digit Interceptions, a passer rating over 104, completed about two-thirds of his passes and posted over 400 Yards and 4 Touchdowns on the ground. Only Matt Ryan had more passing yards, and nobody had more touchdowns. As far as the eye test, Rodgers looked like one of the greatest passers of all time by the end of the year. His only issue? His age. At 33, how many years can he be at this elite level? This has to be a major question for Ted Thompson, who BETTER invest so Rodgers can get a second ring.

Brett Hundley, #7: D
Hundley only came in when Rodgers needed rest, and thank god for it. He completed 20% of his passes, threw no touchdowns but one Interception, had four Rushes for 12 Yards, and picked up one first down. Hundley fumbled more than once and certainly didn't secure his spot as the backup QB moving forward. He has two more years left on his rookie contract, so the new Brett in Green Bay somewhat safe moving forward.

Joe Callahan, #6: n/a
Callahan was only active for a handful of games, but with the way Hundley played at the end of games, he could have a valid shot at being the #2 being A-Rodg next year. Callahan makes $540K next season with no dead cap before becoming an ERFA, so he could easily go as well as come back next year.

RUNNING BACKS:

Ty Montgomery, #88: B+
Nobody expected Montgomery to become the starting Running Back. For his career, it was a very smart move. He would have been stuck behind Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams on the receiver depth chart for years to come, hampering both his playing time and his development. Montgomery shifted from a sparse return man to a key starter halfway through the year. He had over 100 Rushes and over 50 Receptions for 993 Total Yards and 5 Touchdowns. I don't know exactly where Montgomery will fit in next year's plans with Eddie Lacy back and healthy, but for stepping into a starting role in a position he doesn't play, Montgomery had a formidable year. He's under contract for two more years, so I don't expect to see him anywhere else anytime soon.

Eddie Lacy, #27: B-
Lacy's a bit harder to grade given he only played 5 games. In those five games, Lacy had 71 Rushes for 360 Yards. If you spread that out over 16 games, that's 227 Rushes for 1,152 Yards, finishing 13th and 9th in the NFL respectively. A thousand-yard season is really a goal for any starting running back in a balanced offense, but the concern on Lacy and touchdowns remains. He didn't have a single one in those five games, so nearly one-third of the season. This raises the question: Even if Lacy is healthy, is he useful enough to be the full-time starter? That question could very well be answered in the Draft or Free Agency this offseason. Oh, and Eddie might not even come back: He's an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason.

James Starks, #44: C-
Starks was involved in 9 games this season, the latest being Week 11 against the Seahawks, and only a third of those games involved a significant impact. He had 63 rushes for 145 Yards, barely averaging over 2 yards per rush, and no touchdowns. Starks also caught 19 passes for 134 Yards and a pair of Touchdowns. Whenever you have more fumbles than touchdowns, it's hard to convince keeping you on the field. Even last season, where Starks was healthy and played all 16 games, he had two touchdowns and five, yes FIVE, fumbles. He's an injury liability and can't hold onto the ball. With a $2.6M base salary and only $750K in dead cap for 2017, it made complete sense for the Packers to cut him on Tuesday, February 7th.

Christine Michael, #32: C+
I was actually very impressed by Ted Thompson's mid-week acquisition of Christine Michael. It's a Patriots-type move, but one very unusual for our beloved GM. Michael himself had his moments, including his 42-yard TD at Chicago in Week 15, but by the end of the season he finished with 47 Rushes for 172 Yards and that single Touchdown. His 3 Receptions for 14 yards and marginal returning numbers didn't help his cause of eventually being the everyday back. Michael's an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and all signs are pointing to him walking, but a cap hit of only $277K was a bang for Ted Thompson's buck. I don't expect Christine Michael to be back, but I wouldn't mind him being an extra option instead of some others *cough James Starks cough*.

Don Jackson, #34: C-
I was really rooting for DJ. Promoted off the practice squad to start, he would have made one hell of a story. Unfortunately, he only made one start, was a back-up for two others and spent the rest of the season on IR. Only tallying 10 Rushes for 32 Yards, he looked like a plug-in to just get past the line of scrimmage. I personally don't see any more potential than a third-string/practice squad back, and I highly doubt Ted Thompson disagrees with me (on this one). He's an Exclusive Restricted Free Agent, or ERFA, as in he can only resign with the Packers given they give a minimum qualifying offer. If TT is desperate, he could make that move, but odds are they'll add in the draft. Really no place for Jackson, unless he's willing to rejoin the practice squad.

Knile Davis, #30: D
This rating is irrelevant because he played two games, ran five times picking up a yard apiece, a couple catches for two yards apiece, and then got cut. They needed a guy temporarily, and he was just another depth chart option before Ty Montgomery stepped up. He's back on the Chiefs now, his original team, so best of luck to him.

FULLBACK:

Aaron Ripkowski, #22: B+
Everyone thought there would be a huge drop-off after John Kuhn darted to the Saints in Free Agency, but Aaron Ripkowski honestly was as good as Kuhn would have been. He had 34 Rushes and 13 Receptions for 235 Total Yards and 3 Total Touchdowns. Ripkowski picked up crucial first downs and was a valid blocker in a backfield where literally NO other running back knew how to block. If Rip didn't step up, it would have been a lot harder for Rodgers to pull off his heroics.

Joe Kerridge, #40: n/a
Yes, he played in a couple games, ended the year on the active roster, and had a Rush for no gain, but that's not nearly enough for me to give an accurate grade to a backup fullback. He was a roster-filler for injuries, and I have very little doubt he'll be a practice squad member next year.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Jordy Nelson, #87: A+
Aaron Rodgers was the hero, and every hero needs a right-hand man. Enter Jordy Nelson. A year removed from missing the entire 2015 season with a nasty preseason ACL tear, the bromance was reborn. Involved in 18 games, including one with broken ribs wrapped via a Kevlar vest, Jordy caught 104 passes for 1,337 Yards and 15 Touchdowns. That's Top 5 in the NFL in Receptions and Yards, and nobody had more receiving Touchdowns than Nelson. Hell, he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Jordy Nelson is a fantastic receiver, and there's no sign of a decline coming anytime soon.

Davante Adams, #17: A-
Adams was the third-string receiver coming into this year, but he pushed himself to being a major factor after a tumultuous 2015 season. He did exactly that, playing in all 19 games and pulling in 91 Receptions for 1,214 Yards and 14 Touchdowns. The only player to catch more Touchdowns? His teammate, Jordy Nelson. Oh, and he's also only 24. The ceiling looks very high for Adams in a Green Bay Packers uniform. Look for an extension to come in the near future.

Randall Cobb, #18: B+
Cobb battled injuries, but he still managed to play in 15 games and proved to still be a first-down threat every snap. 78 Receptions for 870 Yards and 7 Touchdowns is a great season for any non-#1 receiver. With the emergence of Davante Adams, Cobb doesn't HAVE to put his body on the line in the slot every play anymore. Look for Cobb to develop into that Donald Driver-like alternate factor as a receiver for years to come. He and Jordy are also both signed at least for the next two years, so the strength at receiver will be back for a solid shot or two at a Super Bowl.

Geronimo Allison, #81: C+
If you told me Geronimo would become the fourth-best receiver for the Packers, I would have laughed. He began the year on the practice squad, and in his 10 games on the active roster, Geronimo rung in 17 Receptions for 267 Yards and 2 Touchdowns. Like Ripkowski on the ground, Allison had some clutch first downs in the heart of "Running the Table." He only costs $540K in 2017 and $630K in 2018, so Geronimo is a bargain for a young, growing receiver in depth. He also might just take the job of Jeff Janis or Trevor Davis.

Jeff Janis, #83: C
Janis, whom the combine deemed as the "next Jordy Nelson," didn't show any form of development this season. Playing in all but one game, he scraped up 11 Receptions for 93 Yards and a Touchdown. He had a couple flashes of talented returning, but he also bobbled balls, and to my extreme irritation, committed a good sum of penalties in his variety of Special Teams roles. Janis has next year as the last year of his contract, and with a $700K cap hit, he's unlikely to be cut. However, that's his last year on his deal, and if Janis doesn't prove any more worth, it's extremely unlikely he comes back as a Packer in 2018.

Trevor Davis, #11: C-
Davis is another depth guy whose job could be on the line due to Geronimo Allison. There's only 8 games where I noticed Davis being on the field, and in those games he only nabbed 3 Receptions for 24 Yards and a Touchdown. At the beginning of the year, Davis was the return man, but after a costly fumble, he lost the job to Micah Hyde in a heartbeat. Davis, a fifth-round rookie, is signed for cheap through 2019, but if he can't be trusted with the ball, his tenure could be cut short in the next couple of seasons.

Jared Abbrederis, #86: D
The good ol' receiver from Wisconsin caught one pass in the season opener, and that was it. He got jacked up on a play, was put on IR and then was cut after reaching an injury settlement on October 27th. He signed with the Lions on a reserve/futures contract in January, so we'll see if he earns an NFL spot across Lake Michigan next season.

TIGHT ENDS

Jared Cook, #89: B+
Reps-wise, Jared Cook was the #2 tight end, but you'd have an extremely difficult time convincing any fan that Richard Rogers was better than JC. In 13 games, Cook pulled in 48 Receptions, 606 Yards, and 4 Touchdowns. If you average that over the whole 19 games of the Packers' season, that's 70 Receptions for 886 Yards and 6 TD's. Pretty good numbers for a tight end. Cook's size proves a total mismatch in most 1-on-1 coverages, and like any talented Tight End, he's a notable red zone target. Cook is an Unrestricted Free Agent, and he's arguably the biggest question mark as far as the Packers and free agency. It's fairly clear Rodgers wants him back, but Ted Thompson will have to turn a new page and spend some dough to bring back the playoff hero Jared Cook.

Richard Rodgers, #82: C+
Rodgers was the tight end with the most snaps, but he's certainly behind Cook in production. In playing all 19 games, Rodgers tallied 31 Receptions, 305 Yards and 3 Touchdowns. Those aren't the worst statistics for the #2 Tight End, but if Ted Thompson is letting Jared Cook walk and expecting Rodgers to take the brunt of all of the reps, that isn't going to go so well. With a cap hit under $830K, he's affordable and isn't going anywhere this offseason.

Justin Perillo, #80: C-
Perillo was the third-string tight end, and for only playing in four games, four Receptions for 32 Yards isn't bad at all. He was cut halfway through the year, and still a free agent, he'll likely end up being a camp invitee for some team looking for competitive depth next year.

TACKLES:

David Bakhtiari, #69: A
There were multiple games this season where the pass protection looks like the best in the NFL. David Bakhtiari headed that level of excellence. Rarely did you ever see an edge rusher come at Rodgers off of his blind side. That's exactly why Left Tackle is the most coveted position on the O-Line, and he's a heavily coveted LT. Signed through 2020 and only 25, Bakhtiari - if he stays healthy - will be a cornerstone of this offense for years to come.

Bryan Bulaga, #75: C+
Game after game, commentators would say how good Bryan Bulaga is. Honestly, and I'm a diehard Packers fan, I don't see it at all. He's a liability on many passing plays. I can't even tell you how many times Bulaga either picked up the wrong rusher or simply blew his coverage. With a Quarterback that scrambles, you have to be able to shift and adjust and have all of your bases covered. There were times I didn't even see Bulaga pick one block correctly. He's fairly consistent on run blocking, but that's also considering the Packers rarely ran off-tackle runs anyways. Bulaga's not a BAD offensive lineman, but he's been a pass rush liability since, well, he was drafted first round out of Iowa in 2010. He's signed through 2019, and his dead cap (the cost if we cut him) is $4.8 Million, so unless a huge breakthrough happens with Jason Spriggs or Don Barclay, Bryan Bulaga will be the starting Right Tackle for at least another year.

Jason Spriggs, #78: C-
Spriggs was a bit of an anomaly. The rookie out of Indiana plays mediocre in normal substitution plays, but when they needed him to plug in at guard or tackle, he actually played like an average starting O-Lineman. Penalties docked him as far as grading, but let's hope those are just growing pains as a rookie. His versatility makes him a valuable backup, especially when we're paying an entry-level contract.

Kyle Murphy, #68: n/a
Out of 19 games, Murphy was inactive for all but four. Unless I missed something, he never stepped on the field. He's a guard/tackle Rookie who will be entering the second year of his four year entry-level contract. Murphy could easily be beat out by another young versatile lineman in camp, but for now he'll likely just be the depth reserve guy again next season.

GUARDS:

Lane Taylor, #65: B+
Taylor was the backup to All-Pro Josh Sitton last season, and to some he was considered the weak link on the offensive line. Turns out, he was the best interior lineman this season. Taylor could pass block, he could run block, and taking a page out of T.J. Lang's arsenal, you often saw him pulling around and creating key blocks downfield. Next season is the second on his two-year contract, and with only a $1.85M base salary, an extension would be an excellent idea for the new starting Guard. An extension is even more vital if T.J. Lang walks this offseason.

T.J. Lang, #70: B
Lang has all of the talent distribution and abilities that Lane Taylor possesses, and there are only two factors that give Lang a "B" instead of a "B+" like Taylor: Time and Holding. Taylor started and played in all 19 games, whereas Lang missed three. Lang also committed more penalties than the rest of the O-Line, "Holding" especially. He IS an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason, and while one can assume that Ted Thompson would want to bring him back, TT also let Josh Sitton walk. At this point, Lang's return is simply categorized as questionable.

Don Barclay, #67: D+
Barclay is equally a tackle as he is a guard, but I put him at guard because his rating would be even worse as a tackle. In a Bryan Bulaga-like form, he was simply a liability out there on the field. For many linemen, they really only look horribly exposed when all four other lineman are doing an excellent job. It didn't really matter for Barclay, who looked exposed a large sum of his playing time. He played on a one-year, $700K contract, and I would be extremely surprised if Barclay returned next year.

CENTER:

Corey Linsley, #63: B
It was perfect timing for Linsley to come off of the Physical-Unable-to-Perform list, as less than two weeks after, J.C. Tretter would be out for the rest of the year. He did an overall good job starting the last 12 games of the season. There were a couple games near the end of the year where Linsley simply let a blitzing linebacker run right past him, and that tainted what would have been a better grade. Linsley will earn a $690K base salary in the last year of his entry-level contract. It will be a very interesting battle for the starting Center job next year, and if he's the backup, it would be hard for me to see Linsley getting an extension.

J.C. Tretter, #73: B
Missing the last 12 games, most fans will forget about how Tretter played, but he had an excellent first seven games. If it wasn't for injury, he would have been pushing in the "A" region. Tretter is an unrestricted free agent this year, and there are valid reasons for both bringing him back and letting him walk. He played well, but so did Linsley, and they could easily just name Linsley the starter again and let Tretter walk to potentially start somewhere else. Regardless of the transaction, it's difficult for me to see both Linsley and Tretter on the roster in 2018.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Mike Daniels, #76: B

For a player who signed a 4 Year/$41M contract, he didn't exactly play up to it. Given his All-Pro expectations and inflated Madden Rating, I expected impressive numbers to match. 43 Tackles and 4 Sacks in 19 games are by no means those expected numbers. 4 sacks for an "elite" pass rusher? Yes, he does the little things right, he sucks up multiple O-Linemen and the footwork and decision-making are solid, but that puts him UP to a B. Without that, a B- at best. For a defensive leader and a player leaving a $10.4M cap hit in 2017, he needs to step up next year if the Packers want a defense that can bear a Super Bowl run.

Letroy Guion, #98: C

Average. That's all Guion was this season. The veteran D-Lineman put up 34 Tackles and no sacks. He's a run stopper, so the no sacks is more acceptable. He plugged gaps, but the Packers weren't great at stopping the run. If your leading tacklers are all Safeties and Inside Linebackers, you're not bringing down the running back well. Guion has roughly a $3.7M cap hit in 2017, and the veteran is unlikely to move. If Kenny Clark steps up next year, less burden will be put on Guion, which is a better thing for this Swiss-cheese defense.

Kenny Clark, #97: C

Clark wasn't BAD for a rookie, but his numbers could have been better: 27 Tackles and no sacks. For a player that hasn't been deemed as a sole run stopper, a sack or two would've made his rookie year fully successful. Clark's development could be key for this defense, as they need more than Mike Daniels as a trusted full-time starter on the Defensive Line. Let's hope for the first-round pick to have first-round improvement this offseason.

Dean Lowry, #94: C+

I honestly wanted to see Lowry out on the playing field more. He had multiple reps in 10 games this season, with significant contributions in 5 games. In that span, he had 9 Tackles and 2 Sacks. For a team that had serious problems getting in the backfield in more than a handful of games, Lowry flashed serious pass-rushing potential. If the Packers have a scenario where instead of one pass-rusher, one balanced D-Lineman and a Run Stopper, we put two pass rushers as D-Ends and one Nose Tackle, Dean Lowry better be on the field. This defense has a lot of young players who lack showing potential, but Dean Lowry is an exception.

Mike Pennel, #64: D
Pennel was suspended for the first four games, and then got himself suspended for the last four. Those troubles aside, he made 7 Tackles in the only 8 games he could possibly play in. He didn't make a single defensive play all year. The Packers cut Pennel in January, so that solves that issue.

Christian Ringo, #99: D+
Ringo was inactive for most of the season. In four games of getting on the field, he made four Tackles. The rating would have been different had Ringo seen the field more, let alone be active for a majority of the season. He's an ERFA, so if they need the depth, they could offer him a minimum deal. Ringo is definitely an easily replaceable piece of the puzzle, though.

LINEBACKERS

Nick Perry, #53: A-
We FINALLY have a first round pick playing up to their potential! In 17 games, he had 59 Tackles, 12 Sacks and an Interception. No one else on the lackluster defense even reached 9. Perry solidified himself as an all-out pass rusher, which is fantastic for the defense but prevents him from getting anything more than the deserved "A-" unless he grabs close to 20 Sacks. Last offseason, he signed a one-year deal just under $5M, which leaves the Packers Defensive Player of the Year as an unrestricted free agent this time around. With his numbers, he could grab a large sum on the market, so there's a strong possibility he won't be lining up as a Packer next season.

Julius Peppers, #56: B
In his last year of his contract, Julius Peppers put up his best year as a Packer. In 17 Games, Peppers racked up 30 Tackles and 8.5 Sacks. He finished second on the team in sacks, but what pushed him up to a "B" was his versatility. There were many third downs where Peppers lined up as a pass-rushing interior lineman, which is where he tallied his handful of passes defended and his two forced fumbles. If Julius Peppers' and Mike Daniels' stats were flipped, it would have made a lot more sense. The $10.5M cap hit in 2016 is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and at 37, a return is unlikely unless he agrees to a bargain deal for a last hurrah.

Joe Thomas, #48: B
I absolutely love Joe Thomas. This versatile undrafted free agent came off the practice squad last season, and this year he raked in 81 Tackles and an Interception while only missing one game. Lining up as both an inside and an outside linebacker, Thomas provided solid tackles off the edge as well as above-average pass coverage for a linebacker. To think that a guy deserving of a starting spot is still at the EFRA level this offseason shows the underdog Joe Thomas is. At 25, look for a formidable linebacker for the years to come.

Jake Ryan, #47: B-
An Inside Linebacker's job is to tackle, and he did exactly that: 102 Tackles to be exact. The second-year pro answered some questions at the position this year with his consistency. I don't know about how much better he can get, as he seems complacent as your decent second-level ILB. More stats would make this grade higher, but he didn't have any Sacks, Interceptions, Forced Fumbles nor Fumble Recoveries. Ryan needs to make more plays to secure a starting spot. Regardless, he'll be a decent member of this defense for at least a couple more seasons.

Clay Matthews, #52: C+
27 Tackles and 6 Sacks are the worst numbers Clay Matthews has EVER had. He did only play 14 games due to injury, and he certainly looked in pain in other games he actually played in. I was torn between a C+ and a B-, but seeing his 2017 cap hit is over $15M, I feel okay giving the lower of the two. Plus, this is a former defensive MVP, and at 30, that wasn't THAT long ago. Matthews dropped two would-be interceptions and designed his play as a pass-rush-only mentality, which meant he spent a lot of time chasing from behind. All in all, Clay looked frustrated this season. If this wasn't just an injury bug, his dead cap is only $4.1M, meaning the team could save about $11M if they part ways in training camp. Still, with the marketing Matthews has done in the area combined with the opportunity cost of needing a new starting outside linebacker if he gets cut, Matthews is certainly more likely to suit up as a Packer than not.

Blake Martinez, #50: C+
Similar to Dean Lowry, Blake Martinez also flashed some excellent potential for a rookie. In 15 games, he had 74 Tackles, a Sack and an Interception. Martinez made more active plays than new starter Jake Ryan. His run-stopping abilities and drive-stopping potential makes the Packers feel easier moving on from Julius Peppers. He, Jake Ryan and Joe Thomas will likely be fighting for the two starting Inside Linebacker spots. Training camp will sure be interesting for the Linebackers.

Datone Jones, #95: C
If Datone Jones wasn't a first round pick, I'd say he's an okay backup in this defense. In his fourth and final year of his entry-level contract, Jones put up a mere 25 Tackles and one Sack in 18 Games. If you were curious, that makes 73 Tackles over the four years, and his sole sack is the least he's had in any of the four. Unless he's willing to settle for a low contract even for a backup, I'd let Jones walk and that's likely what he'll do.

Jayrone Elliott, #91: C
I actually think Jay is a decent player. I was surprised to see the former undrafted free agent inactive for as many games as he was. If anything, he provides as big of a threat to opposition as Datone Jones does. In 11 Games, only 6 of which he got more than a few special teams plays, he had 20 Tackles and one Sack. Again, if Elliott was getting Jones' snaps in addition to his own, I have a strong inkling that those numbers would look much better, especially the Sack column. Jay is an RFA this season, and although he could be replaced very easily, Elliott could easily come back as well.

Kyler Fackrell, #51: C
Fackrell had a decent season for a rookie, putting up eerily similar numbers to Jayrone Elliott: Same amount of games (11), same amount of relevant games (6), same amount of Tackles (20), and he doubled up on Jay's one Sack. Julius Peppers is most likely gone, and if Nick Perry leaves as well, that leaves Datone Jones (an RFA as well), Jay Elliott and Kyler Fackrell as competition for starting opposite to Clay Matthews.

Jordan Tripp, #58: C-
A mid-season claim from the Seahawks, Tripp was simply a depth guy and a roster-filler. He had 5 tackles in 3 Games, but was nothing more than a Special Team-er. Tripp is a Restricted Free Agent this offseason, and like most roster-fillers, he's easily replaceable but could easily come back.

Carl Bradford, #54: D-
Bradford was absolute trash. There's a reason he wasn't on the active roster to begin the year. In two games, he made two tackles and blew more tackles than he made. He had more penalties than actual plays. If Bradford was on the roster any longer, that would have dropped to a "F" in a heartbeat, but Thompson was smart in cutting him. Now he's on the 49'ers, and I'd wish him the best of luck, but he wouldn't know what to do with it even if he had it.

CORNERBACKS

LaDarius Gunter, #36: C-
Gunter finished the year as the only corner to play in every single game. As an undrafted free agent, I was cheering for him when he got the starter job. After witnessing a plethora of penalties and too many blown coverages to count, not so much. Gunter finished the season with 67 tackles and no interceptions, and while he was the best tackler and the best one-on-one corner the team had after Sam Shields went down, there were four games this year where he allowed 150 yards or more to his opposing receiver. The last two playoff games were two of his worst games of the year, and that's exactly when you're NOT supposed to have your worst games. Gunter has his last year under contract next year, and I would be surprised if he gets cut, but I would expect some moves to be made where he's not getting nearly as many reps as he did this year.

Damarious Randall, #23: C-
Like Gunter, Randall played his worst game against the Falcons in the NFC Championship game. Randall was guilty of falling over on coverage or simply blowing it multiple times this season. I can't count how many games his receiver caught a ball and Randall was five or seven yards behind him, just trying to make a tackle after the catch. In 15 Games, he had 51 Tackles and 3 Interceptions. I can guarantee you two of those three were mistakenly being in the right place at the right time. The second-year pro didn't develop positively after a decent rookie year. He still has two more years on his deal, but this team isn't getting any further in the playoffs unless moves are made or he and the other young corners decide to man up and play defense.

Quinten Rollins, #22: C-
Yep, none of the top three corners even reached a "C." Rollins played in 14 games and racked up 44 Tackles and a sole Interception. As far as liability-wise, he's probably the most trustworthy out of the three corners. He was decent in one-on-one coverage, but simply didn't really make any plays. As far as potential, Rollins might edge Gunter and Randall in the years to come. Like Randall, he's a second-year pro who needs to boost his game if the Packers want to even have a chance at bring the Lombardi Trophy back home.

Demetri Goodson, #39: D
Goodson was suspended for the first four games of the year, and the way he played in the seven games in which he saw reps on the field, maybe he was more useful being inactive. Goodson had 14 tackles and no interceptions. He seemed much better suited for special teams than actually guarding receivers, because he couldn't do that to save his life this year. Next year is the last year on Goodson's contract, and with a cap hit just over $700K, they could easily keep him, but he's a fifth-string corner at the age of 27 in a core where three of the four corners above him are younger. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Goodson cut, assuming they make moves in the secondary. As they absolutely should.

Josh Hawkins, #28: D-
Hawkins was, well, bad this year. He was a Special Teams player who I noted being on the field for the defense in 4 games, and finished the year with 7 Tackles. He has two years left on his $540K/Year contract, but I really don't want to see him on the defensive side of the ball ever again. He made zero plays and was simply a liability. With the Pack desperately needing to add Corner talent this offseason, as they certainly need to, I'd much rather see him on the practice squad or off the team entirely.

Mackinton Dorleant, #20: D
Dorleant was signed off the practice squad, played in three games in which he registered one mere Tackle, then was placed on IR. He didn't necessarily look BAD; he just didn't really do anything. Dorleant's under contract next year at $540K with no dead cap, so he could easily be an option in camp, go back on the practice squad, or be cut altogether come September.

Sam Shields, #37: n/a
Shields played in the season opener, made three tackles, got a nasty concussion halfway through the game and never saw the field again. He's undoubtedly the most talented corner on the roster, but concussions are nothing to mess with. If Shields' head is still a concern, he's a $11.7M cap hit with less than $3.2M dead cap if he gets cut. It's also the last year of his contract, so they could give him one more go at it. If Shields' health is still a concern, especially with something as serious as your brain, I wouldn't expect him back in 2018.

Herb Waters, #26: n/a
How desperate were the Packers? Herb Waters is a receiver off of the practice squad that they signed for depth at corner. A RECEIVER. Unless he has a Disney movie-like development this offseason, there's absolutely no reason for him to return in 2017.

SAFETIES

Morgan Burnett, #42: B
In contrast to the piss-poor corner play, the Safety unit actually had a decent year. Burnett only missed one game and raked in a team-leading 108 Tackles, 3 Sacks and two Interceptions. Honestly, only the season opener was a below-average game for Burnett. He and Ha-Ha will get the same letter grade, but down to the actual numerical grade, Burnett played better. Next year is the last year on his contract, but he's made a solid career here in Green Bay. Unless he's asking for Hall of Fame money, I don't see why they wouldn't extend his contract at some point in 2017.

HaHa Clinton-Dix, #21: B
The Pro Bowler only gets a B? Yes, and I'll tell you why. It's impressive that he played every snap on defense, and his 5 Interceptions is very notable, but he simply missed coverage. 5 out of the 19 games ended in him getting worse than a C-. Clinton-Dix got interceptions from picking off deep balls, but in the mid-range passing game, the most common passing game the Pack saw this season, he was completely exploited. He'd pull a Damarious Randall and end up at least five yards behind the open receiver just trying to tackle him. HaHa's 91 Tackles as a Free Safety demonstrates exactly that. Next year is his last year under contract, and at only a $2.6M cap hit, I would expect them to pick up the fifth year option and see Clinton-Dix as the starting Free Safety through at least 2018.

Micah Hyde, #33: B-
The "B-" is for the whole season, but if we're counting the last seven or eight games of the year, Hyde was "A-" material. Playing in all 19 games, Hyde finished with 72 Tackles, 2 Sacks and 3 Interceptions. He's almost picture perfect as the Nickel Safety in that package, and with his defensive playmaking ability that most players on this defense seem to lack, Hyde should be out there almost every down. He's an Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason, and although there's a good chance Hyde walks as he's not technically a starter, I think Ted Thompson should do what he reasonably can to keep Micah Hyde in a Packers uniform.

Kentrell Brice, #29: C
Brice simply did his job. He was a backup safety, and while he laid some hard hits in coverage and on Special Teams, he never made a significant play. Brice tallied 35 Tackles in 16 Games, not bad for a backup. Next year is the second of his three-year contract, and while he had no dead cap and could easily get cut, he's only a $540K cap hit for a defensive back who hasn't made any vital mistake this year (a rarity for the Packers). I'd be surprised to see him anywhere else in 2017.

Marwin Evans, #25: C-
He didn't make any huge mistakes, but he definitely blew coverage in more than a couple games. In 8 games of more than Special Teams usage, he totaled 8 Tackles. The big hitter certainly left his mark a few times this season, but as an all-around defensive player, he didn't make any active plays or stops. His contract situation is exactly the same as Brice's above, so we'll see if there's space for both of them after the final cuts in camp next season.

Chris Banjo, #32: D+
Banjo played in two games before getting cut and ending up on the Saints. He essentially did nothing on defense nor on Special Teams in either of the games, finishing with two tackles. Banjo wouldn't have had a spot on the roster in 2017 anyways, so cutting him is easy. Best of luck, Banjo.

Jermaine Whitehead, #35: F
Yes, that's an F. The only "F" I gave out all season goes to Mr. Nobody, Jermaine Whitehead. He played in one game, made a vital Special Teams mistake that led to an opposing touchdown, and blew coverage on defense the few plays he was actually in for. He was cut a few days after the game and re-signed to a practice squad role. After his one-game debacle, I wouldn't even keep him on the practice squad.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Mason Crosby, #2: B+
Mason Crosby was an absolute hero when it comes to the 50+ Yard bomb that won the game against the Cowboys. That puts him UP to a B+. Overall, Crosby went 29/34 on Field Goals. That puts him outside of the top ten in Field Goals Made. PLUS, that's an 85.3% success rate, putting him outside of the top 15 kickers in the league. Crosby was absolutely clutch, and he's a valuable kicker at a position where it's hard to find a consistently good one, but he wasn't the MVP by any means. This was just the first year of Crosby's new 4 year/$16.1M deal, so we'll see him kicking as a Packer for years to come.

Jacob Schum, #10: C
I was as surprised as everybody else when it was announced Tim Masthay was cut, and it turns out, Schum didn't really do that much better than Masthay would have done. Schum had 67 Punts over the course of 19 games with an average of 43.2 Yards Per Punt. That puts him 27th in the league, and given there's 32 teams, that's pretty bad. Schum was a good holder for every game except the NFC Championship, and he didn't totally miff any punts either, so that bring him back up to a "C", but for a Restriced Free Agent this offseason, he may very well not come back. There's a lot of Punters out there that could put up a "C" rating, so his return is certainly questionable.

Brett Goode, #61: B+
There aren't a lot of statistics for a Long Snapper, but he didn't botch any snaps, so that pretty much makes you a good one. He signed a one year, $880K deal for 2016, which makes him a 32-year-old Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason. If Mason Crosby likes him as his long snapper, I don't see a reason for him not to come back.

SUMMARY

When you're the Green Bay Packers, you have extremely high standards season to season. Those high expectations better be met in the next two or three years of Aaron Rodgers' elite status. Our offense is good enough for a Super Bowl run. There will be questions at the Running Back position, but if the Packers convert this offense into an essential full-time spread like they did when they "Ran the Table," it's a dangerous threat to any defense. T.J Lang and Jared Cook are two UFA's that we could invest in again this offseason. As far as the defense, here's where we run into problems. Mike Daniels needs to play like an All-Pro, and either Letroy Guion or Kenny Clark need to step up to make this at least a Defensive Line worth putting on the field. Otherwise, we try again with an early pick in the draft or actually spend some money this offseason and bring in a D-Lineman. Julius Peppers can walk, and if we bring back Nick Perry as we should, that leaves us with a LB core of Perry, Clay Matthews, and Jake Ryan/Joe Thomas/Blake Martinez fighting for two spots. I'm okay with that level of defense. Now onto our biggest concern: the secondary. Morgan Burnett and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix are both good starters, so no need to worry about safeties. The Cornerback position needs a LOT of work. Sam Shields, if fully healthy, is okay to start again in my eyes. Neither Damarious Randall nor Quinten Rollins nor Ladarius Gunter should be seeing #2 Corner reps. Unless they develop as they should this offseason, which needs to be a substantial amount, the Packers need to either gamble on getting yet another Corner in the draft (bad idea) or spend their money to have two well-paid veteran corners. THAT is what needs to happen regardless. The top corners this offseason look to be Trumaine Johnson, Brandon Carr, Prince Amukamara, Captain Munnerlyn, Justin Gilbert, Stephon Gilmore, and Morris Claiborne. Personally, I'm a fan of Gilmore from Buffalo (26 years old, 5 INTs in 15 Games, and only made $3M last year), but one of those players or a player very similar to that caliber better be heavily pursued if not signed by Ted Thompson this offseason. Micah Hyde CAN play corner, but he's so much better as a press safety/Nickel back like his current role. Plus, Hyde might not even return next season. Development of young players on our defense, in combination with investment in a defender or two in Free Agency is absolutely the key to winning a Super Bowl next season. Aaron Rodgers, I got you, don't worry.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Really Any Opinion At All? Please Let Me Know!

Thank You and God Bless,

Samuel R. Fuller

P.S. Because of my mental health state, I don't ever really know which article will be my last. This could very well be that article. If this is the last one I write, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has ever read my work. From my first article on myESPN in 6th Grade all the way to writing at the collegiate level and for SportsBlog.com and GiveMeSport, I've always felt that I could put my personal voice and subtle, quick humor to sports stories and analysis. I might not end up as the ESPN analyst little Sam dreamed of, but I made at least a few people think differently or more critically about the teams I love. Again, Thank You.