With training camp two months away, teams continue to evaluate their rosters. Here’s the stock rising — and falling — for the Green Bay Packers:
Stock Up
Aaron Jones, running back: In 2022, the veteran tailback had his third career 1,000-yard rushing season and made a career-high 59 receptions. Jones’ versatility and consistency earned him a spot on the field on 58 percent of the team’s offensive plays last season. That figure may go up in 2023, the first in QB Jordan Love’s era as the starter.
Beyond emerging young wideout Christian Watson, the remainder of the offense is unproven and young, another reason why it will lean on Jones to carry the offensive load. The 28-year-old looks fresh entering his seventh NFL season. During OTAs in May, Packers running back coach Ben Sirmans said that despite the mileage on Jones, he’s “flying around faster than anybody” in the backfield.
Rashan Gary, Edge: Gary posted six sacks and 12 quarterback hits over nine games in 2022 before his season was cut short in November because of an ACL tear in his left knee. The former first-round pick, however, was “getting after it” during OTA’s in May, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Gary seems primed to build off the potential he showed two seasons ago (9.5 sacks and 47 tackles).
According to Pro Football Focus, Gary is one of only 11 players with pass-rushing grades above 90 since 2021, and when healthy, the fifth-year vet should thrive alongside Preston Smith on the other side. Gary is in a contract year, and with a strong 2023, he could be in store for a lucrative extension with the Packers or a big payday on the open market in the offseason.
Stock Down
Joe Barry, defensive coordinator: To the surprise of many, the DC kept his job after a miserable 2022. However, Barry is squarely on the hot seat entering 2023 and will need a big season to turn around a defense that finished 28th in the NFL in yards per play (5.8).
Before OTAs in May, Barry said it was on him to clean up the “inconsistencies” of last year, and this could be his final shot. For the third year in a row, the Packers used their first pick in the NFL Draft on a defensive player, selecting edge rusher Lukas Van Ness of Iowa. The Packers may not have enough talent on defense to make drastic improvements, but they’ve invested enough to expect positive strides from Barry.
AJ Dillon, running back: A third-round pick of the Packers in 2020, Dillon is entering a pivotal season. Dillon has failed to break out behind Jones in the backfield over three widely inconsistent seasons in Green Bay.
Dillon recorded a career-high seven touchdowns last season but saw his numbers dip in nearly every other offensive category, including yards per carry (4.1), yards per game (45.3) and attempts per game (10.9) over 2021. The Packers want Dillon to be more impactful from the start in 2023, but if he isn’t up to the task, he could be playing elsewhere in 2024. Dillon’s in a contract year, so he has extra incentive to step up his game.
