As we begin the preseason, staying healthy quickly comes to mind. In 2015, Packers fans endured the pain of early-season injuries, having to watch Jordy Nelson suffer a non-contact torn ACL during Week 3 of the preseason. With this in mind, we'll prioritize roster personnel, identifying which projected 2021 starters are more expendable and which should be seeing minimal preseason action.
Keep in mind this list is NOT based on a player's absolute talent but instead a combination of that talent and the relative importance of the player's position and role on the Packers. Finally, while it's possible that talented roster depth, such as Amari Rodgers, eventually infiltrates the list of Top 22 most important individuals, this list is restricted to the players projected to start most of the 2021 season.
22. RG Jon Runyan / Lucas Patrick
21. DE Dean Lowry
20. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
19. DE Kingsley Keke
18. ILB Krys Barnes
17. CB Kevin King / Eric Stokes
16. ILB DeVondre Campbell
15. C Josh Myers
14. TE Robert Tonyan
13. WR Randall Cobb
12. FS Darnell Savage
11. OT Billy Turner
10. OLB Rashan Gary: Some might find this Top 10 placement for Gary premature. Though Gary hasn't officially "arrived," it's no secret that Joe Barry and the defensive coaching staff are expecting major contributions from the third-year pass rusher. Watch for Gary to receive the lion's share of snaps over Preston Smith this season.
9. SS Adrian Amos: Though it sometimes goes unnoticed, Amos's contributions as both a defender in the passing game and run stopper has been instrumental in the success of the defense over the past two seasons. Paired with the talented but developing Darnell Savage at safety, Amos has provided a crucial level of stability at a position where the Packers have missed it for years.
8. NT Kenny Clark: Without much talent beside him on the defensive line, Clark has still managed to play at a pro bowl level over the past several seasons. In the games that Clark has missed, his absence has been felt in dominating rushing performances by opposing backfields. Expect Clark to earn every penny of the four-year, $70M contract extension he signed last year.
7. OLB Za'Darius Smith: The night-and-day difference between the 2018 pass rush and today's is almost entirely attributable to the presence of Z. Though his stats aren't always flush with multi-sack games, Z routinely leads the team in hits on opposing quarterbacks and pressures. Additionally, since arriving via free agency in 2019, he's held the important role of a leader on defense.
6. OT David Bakhtiari: It's undeniable that the outcome of this past January's NFC Championship Game was altered by the torn ACL Bakhtiari suffered just weeks before, which forced the three-time pro bowler to watch from the sideline. Having Bakhtiari back by October will enhance the protection of Rodgers on his blindside and allow the Packers to play Jenkins in his natural left guard position.
5. LG Elgton Jenkins: While there's no question that Bakhtiari is the superior talent at left tackle, Jenkins' ability to play multiple O-line positions at an elite level is what makes him even more valuable to the Packers. Now, it seems obvious why GM Brian Gutekunst was content passing on Ole Miss receivers D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown in the second round of the 2018 draft.
4. WR Davante Adams: Perplexed as to how the league's best receiver is #4 on this list? While surely a Top-5 lock, the Packers offense has been surprisingly resilient in games without Adams over the past two seasons, going 6-0 across 2019 and 2020 with him on the sideline. But, while the Matt LaFleur's run-first offense can survive for short stretches of time without Tae, he's paramount to the success of the passing game.
3. RB Aaron Jones: Some may question Jones ahead of Adams, especially given the depth at running back. However, look back at the Packers' big wins over the past two years and you'll notice a positive correlation with monster stat lines from Jones. Don't underestimate the significant role that this fifth-year back plays in the LaFleur offense.
2. CB Jaire Alexander: In today's passing league, teams live and die with talent at the cornerback position. Luckily for the Packers, Alexander can truly do it all. Keeping No.23 healthy throughout the season is downright critical for preserving a stout pass defense. The Packers' next order of business: finding a way to lock him into a second contract.
1. QB Aaron Rodgers: Is there really any need to elaborate? Throughout an offseason of drama with Rodgers, we all knew what an adverse scenario would mean for the Packers' success in 2021. While he's flanked by more offensive weapons than in recent years, plus arguably the most talented defense of his career, it's still Rodgers that makes this team a Super Bowl contender year in and year out.
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