PFF ranks the Packers' roster fifth-best in the NFL

GREEN BAY, Wis. – For years, the Green Bay Packers have entered the season as a championship contender because of Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is back and, as usual, the Packers are back among the top Super Bowl contenders. With the start of training camp just 20 days away, they have the fourth-shortest championship odds in the SI Sportsbook.

What’s unusual is that Green Bay’s championship resume isn’t just filled with offense-related points.

Green Bay’s depth charts are loaded with quality players at nearly every position group. In Pro Football Focus’ pre-training camp team lineup rankings, the Packers are ranked fifth.

The team’s strength, as assessed by PFF, is what could be a potent defense. The buzz is based on last year’s playoff performance against the 49ers, the re-signing of De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas and the additions of Jarran Reed and first-round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt.

“There won’t be many weak points for opposing offenses to attack,” wrote Ben Linsey.

True, but the Packers will have to live up to the hype. Lost in the brilliance of their 49ers touchdownless game is the fact that this was one of the worst defenses in the NFL down the stretch.

Over the last seven games of the season, the Packers have allowed more than 28 points five times, the most in the NFL. Instead of peaking, Joe Barry’s defense ranked an abysmal 28th in points allowed, 32nd in touchdown passes, 28th in yards allowed, 24th in total defense and 22nd on third down place during this period.

However, adding Walker with the 22nd overall pick opens up some intriguing possibilities for Barry.

The biggest weakness is obvious. A true No. 1 is nowhere in sight, although Rodgers has a lot of faith in Allen Lazard, and the Packers will rely on Sammy Watkins (whose one 1,000-yard season came in 2015) and three draft picks to help offset the Davante Adams trade .

The X-factor is offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. A Pro Bowl left guard in 2020, he was a standout at left tackle in place of David Bakhtiari until suffering a torn ACL in November. When will he be healthy? And if he is healthy, where will he rank?

“This uncertainty surrounding his availability and position qualifies him as an X-factor,” Linsey wrote, “but it’s probably a safe bet that he’ll perform at a high level wherever he’s lined up, which includes the right approach — his most likely landing spot — where Jenkins has only played 33 snaps in his NFL career.”

Click here for all of PFF’s strengths, weaknesses and X-factors.

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Countdown to Packers training camp

Get ready for July 27, the first practice of training camp, with this unique series of features.

Part 1 (30 days): All Matt Lafleur does is win (in the regular season)

Part 2 (29 days): Dominant Rasul Douglas

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Part 4 (27 days): 27 is the magic number

Part 5 (26 days): Rich Bisaccia’s brilliance on special teams

Part 6 (25 days): Aaron Rodgers vs. NFC North

Part 7 (24 days): Can the defense live up to the hype?

Part 8 (23 days; July 4): These players will provide the touchdown fireworks

Part 9 (22 days): Home ground dominance

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Part 10 (21 days): Christian Watson and the history of FCS receivers

Part 11 (20 days): 20 Reasons Why the Packers Will Win the Super Bowl

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PFF ranks the Packers’ roster fifth-best in the NFL

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