One could argue that the Packers have at least five players on the roster considered to be amongst the Top Five at their position in the NFL.
But, despite being one of the most talent-heavy teams in the league, the Packers have also seen a number of lesser-known names vaulted into crucial roles for the 2022 season. Simply put: both their stars and dark horses are hugely important to the franchise's ambitions of getting back to the game's greatest stage.
Last year, we ranked the Packers' expected starters according to their level of importance to overall team success, irrespective of injury status. With Week 1 availability more clearly defined this year, we've excluded those regular starters from the analysis: OT David Bakhtiari, OL Elgton Jenkins and TE Robert Tonyan.
* denotes rookie
The Lower Tranche: No. 16 - 22
Partially driven by injuries, several rookies may find their way into the starting lineup by September. But, without proven results on a professional level - and all still competing for the starting job at their respective position - these players comprise the lower third in terms of overall importance.
22. RG Jake Hanson / Royce Newman / Sean Rhyan*
21. DE Devonte Wyatt* / Jarran Reed
20. WR Sammy Watkins / Christian Watson* / Romeo Doubs*
19. DE Dean Lowry / CB3 Rasul Douglas
18. RT Royce Newman / Zach Tom*
17. ILB Quay Walker* / Krys Barnes
16. CB Eric Stokes
The Mid Tranche: No. 11 - 15
The middle of the pack consists of players that are important to roster continuity, but an injury to any of them wouldn't be a season-altering affair for the Packers. Last year, the Packers lost several players of this caliber, but managed to effectively backfill the starter for several weeks, in many cases.
15. WR Randall Cobb
14. C Josh Myers
13. LG Jon Runyan
12. S Darnell Savage
11. OLB Preston Smith
The Upper Echelon: No. 6 - 10
The first half of the Top 10 consists of raw talent and positions vital to the style of football the Packers play. Notable newbies to this group are Nijman and Lazard, two former undrafted free agents that have suddenly become integral components to the Packers' 2022 Super Bowl aspirations.
10. S Adrian Amos
9. RB A.J. Dillon
8. WR Allen Lazard
7. LT Yosh Nijman
6. RB Aaron Jones
The Top 5 Most Critical Players
5. ILB De'Vondre Campbell
4. NT Kenny Clark
3. CB Jaire Alexander
Somehow, the Packers got by without one of the league's best cornerbacks for 14 games last season. Plain and simple, the Packers must keep their top corner healthy this year, especially given the many talented receivers they'll face during the regular season (Justin Jefferson 2X).
2. OLB Rashan Gary
In place of Za'Darius Smith last season, Gary finally began living up to the 12th overall selection of the 2019 draft. Not only has Gary been highly productive of late, but he's widely recognized as the more talented of the Packers' starting two EDGE rushers. While he may not be considered a Top 5 talent at his position, the way Alexander and Clark are, his role the team's main source of pass rush makes him unexpendable in 2022.
1. QB Aaron Rodgers
Your most important Packer: a no-brainer. The Packers don't sniff the postseason without No. 12.
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