Packers Huddle

Rank The Roster: 2022 Edition

1. Aaron Rodgers (62%)[--]
2. Kenny Clark (43%)[+3]
3. Current (xx%)[--]

Percent of vote the winner got will be in parenthesis, position change vs. 2019 will be in brackets.

Here's how this works:

Each day there is a new thread/poll, starting at #1, on down to whereever we get. The whole point of this exercise is to have something to talk about in the lean news months to carry us to camp. Each poll will be open for voting for 24 hours. New threads will only be created on weekdays. Ties will cause a runoff poll. You may vote up to TWO players (a change that was made mid-poll last year, seemed to work well).

Simply voting is not enough!

Post why you voted for who you did and provide a player to add to the next poll (every poll will be a list of 15-20 guys, new players added in bunches every few days).

Here's the thing. There is no criteria. This is an exercise to foster discussion therefore there are no clear criteria for ranking. Who is better right now? Who will have the best season? Who was better last year? Sort of a combo of them all? Do you take positional value into account? It really doesn't matter.

Previous Years:
Rank the Roster: 2021
Rank the Roster: 2020
Rank the Roster: 2014-2019

Jones #1, Alexander #2 here.

I can't put Bak anywhere but the bottom of this tier. A multi-season knee injury has a very high chance of affecting his play the rest of his career.

I get the arguments that Jones isn't even better than Dillon; maybe for certain uses. But Jones will almost certainly touch the ball more overall and generate more yards overall. Jones is a much better receiver, not that Dillon is bad, but he doesn't track over the shoulder downfield or run nearly as good of routes; Dillon is more of a wheel route dumpoff target.

With Davante out of the picture, Jones is GB's top and scariest weapon.

I am quite confident that Jones will lead GB in receptions in 2022.

I'm Jaire and Bakh again

both at the tippy top of their positions; both absolutely indisputably premium positions.

I just can't see Bakh's play slipping enough with so much time to recover to change the dynamic he brings to our OL. But then again I thought he'd be back by week 3 last year and was really annoying about it.

Ditto, have to go with the skill position, points and yards matter, I had Alexander and Clark neck and neck yesterday, so it's Jones and Alexander today, Jones had 50 catches last, I expect 70 plus this year or more.

Gary
Jenkins
Bahk

Waldo wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 09:47

But Jones will almost certainly touch the ball more overall and generate more yards overall.

Is that a certainty?

Jones only touched the ball 2 more times than Dillion last year already and they were really close in yards from scrimmage (Jones beat him out by 74 yards).

Also then looking how the ratio changed down the stretch last year, yards from scrimmage:



This is while one person is ascending and the other is nearing that magic RB age.


Now I will vote for Jones over Dillon, but I also don't think this is the open and shut case here some feel. Honestly more a credit to Dillon than it is a knock on Jones.

YoHoChecko wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 09:50

I just can't see Bakh's play slipping enough with so much time to recover to change the dynamic he brings to our OL.

He went out on one leg for a half against Detroit and it was night and day the difference between someone like him at LT and someone like Yosh Nijman.

For some reason instead of shifting to a Jones heavy passing game, as had shown to be dynamite at times (esp when Davante was out), they doubled down on "we're throwing to Davante" last year. I thought MLF would really draw up a lot of 2 RB plays to use his players strengths. It really didn't come to pass. Now I think #12 and his decision making is a big reason why it didn't come to pass; he was throwing to Davante, it was working, why criticize.

But I expected more on the play design front last year. Though its possible drafting Hill was step 1 of that plan, getting personnel that can play the RB/WR role other than Jones, if for no other reason than the ability to practice (#1 RB isn't a high practice participant). I expect more this year and I'm guessing there's a real good chance it happens.

Waldo wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 09:47

Jones is a much better receiver, not that Dillon is bad, but he doesn't track over the shoulder downfield or run nearly as good of routes; Dillon is more of a wheel route dumpoff target.

Neither does Aaron Jones. There are plenty of instances where he just looks super unnatural running routes and tracking the ball. You have been selling this for probably three years running now and I have been with you most of the way, but I just can't buy it anymore. Both are functional receivers, but Aaron Jones is not putting pressure on a defense by lining up out wide or in the slot. They found some things that worked super well one night in Kansas City three years ago and haven't really went back to it since. In the rare cases they have, it has been to minimal success/production.

Waldo wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 10:20

For some reason instead of shifting to a Jones heavy passing game, as had shown to be dynamite at times (esp when Davante was out), they doubled down on "we're throwing to Davante" last year. I thought MLF would really draw up a lot of 2 RB plays to use his players strengths. It really didn't come to pass. Now I think #12 and his decision making is a big reason why it didn't come to pass; he was throwing to Davante, it was working, why criticize.

I think a lot of that was sacrificed to incorporate Randall Cobb into the offense. As you said, the production was there, but it definitely wasn't as unique, varied, and pretty as the previous years. Davante was always going to get his. I am kind of more surprised that there wasn't a mini-reinvention after Cobb got hurt and freed them up from being forced into 3-wide sets.

After much deliberation, went Jaire and Bak.

I think teams sorta figured out the Jones split to WR -scheme as last season went on. Once element of surprise was spent, we didn't go with it as much. It's possible he develops his WR technique and route running, so he can beat CBs in more ways. But teams will prep for it, so he won't get away with facing ILBs or run stuffing S out wide... And he'll share snaps with AJ.

Bak pick is purely based on hope he comes back as himself.

Sorry not sorry take:

AJ Dillon is more important to the Green Bay Packers than Aaron Jones.

I went Jaire and Gary by the way.

BF004 wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 10:10

Waldo wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 09:47

But Jones will almost certainly touch the ball more overall and generate more yards overall.

Is that a certainty?

Jones only touched the ball 2 more times than Dillion last year already and they were really close in yards from scrimmage (Jones beat him out by 74 yards).

Also then looking how the ratio changed down the stretch last year, yards from scrimmage:


image.png



This is while one person is ascending and the other is nearing that magic RB age.


Now I will vote for Jones over Dillon, but I also don't think this is the open and shut case here some feel. Honestly more a credit to Dillon than it is a knock on Jones.

Oh agreed. AJ Dillon drives this offense. What he was able to do last year when the opponents knew we had no WRs and the little holes our Oline produced was amazing.

AJ Dillon is so important to this offense. I believe Dillon is a top 3 player on this offense in terms of importance and ability.

Elgton is, at minimum, a Pro-Bowl player at all 5 OL spots. We already know he's All-Pro at aleast guard. He could possibly be the best in the league at any position they play him. Him not playing right away I get hurts the value a bit this year. But to me he's so good at absolutely everything they ask him to do. The versatility and level of play puts him slightly above guys like Jaire, Bak, Jones, Dillon, Gary.

So I went Elgton, then Jaire. But this tier is so close with everyone.

I agree with Waldo's points on Jones/Dillion. Dillon = better RB, Jones = better offensive weapon. Touches will be close again.

go pak go wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 11:52

Sorry not sorry take:

AJ Dillon is more important to the Green Bay Packers than Aaron Jones.

how so? he had 4 more yrds rushing with 16 more carries and almost 100 less yrds receiving, I know you love Dillon, I think we all do, but he doesn't have near the quicks or ability of Jones, played 2 more games then Jones, who Lafluer even said was not at 100% for several stretches of the season.

Gary for me for the reasons I said yesterday. Looks like Jaire is running away with it. I don't get the A Jones votes yet

Yoop wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 12:13

go pak go wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 11:52

Sorry not sorry take:

AJ Dillon is more important to the Green Bay Packers than Aaron Jones.

how so? he had 4 more yrds rushing with 16 more carries and almost 100 less yrds receiving, I know you love Dillon, I think we all do, but he doesn't have near the quicks or ability of Jones, played 2 more games then Jones, who Lafluer even said was not at 100% for several stretches of the season.

Jones' war is like 0 with a back like Dillon. I love Jones but his roster importance is farther down the line. So is Dillon. Together they are great. Individually not top 5

go pak go wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 11:54

BF004 wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 10:10

Waldo wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 09:47

But Jones will almost certainly touch the ball more overall and generate more yards overall.

Is that a certainty?

Jones only touched the ball 2 more times than Dillion last year already and they were really close in yards from scrimmage (Jones beat him out by 74 yards).

Also then looking how the ratio changed down the stretch last year, yards from scrimmage:


image.png



This is while one person is ascending and the other is nearing that magic RB age.


Now I will vote for Jones over Dillon, but I also don't think this is the open and shut case here some feel. Honestly more a credit to Dillon than it is a knock on Jones.

Oh agreed. AJ Dillon drives this offense. What he was able to do last year when the opponents knew we had no WRs and the little holes our Oline produced was amazing.

AJ Dillon is so important to this offense. I believe Dillon is a top 3 player on this offense in terms of importance and ability.

AJ Dillon is that important to this offense when he is actually used. He literally averaged 47 yards a game last year on the ground. That is not of high importance. Not sure anybody loves Dillon more than you and I, but until Lafleur figures out how to get Jones and Dillon on the field at the same time with a 3rd RB to sub in behind them...then Dillon or Jones is wasting away a bit. Both of those guys have the talent to be on the field all the time, and its not like a strong fleet of WRs is getting them off the field.

Dillon is very important to the O in an ideal world. We havent seen that world yet. I see Jones get put in on the goalline more than Dillon and I see time after time yelling at the tv wanting Dillon to just get the ball time after time because I know he wears down defenses. What is a 3 yard gain in the 1st quarter becomes a 7 yard gain in the 4th as you pound the d time after time.

But that world is simply a dream at this point. We have hardly seen that at all from the Lafleur O.

People think its coming due to the talent at WR. I will believe it when I see it. I think as long as Rodgers is QB he is going to throw it on the GL as much as possible, and he is going to throw it as much as possible in general. The man wants his 5th MVP more than he wants another super bowl in my opinion.

I have no basis to be optimistic or pessimistic about Bakh's knee, so for all intents and purposes, I will assume he regains full form.

Under that assumption, Bakhtiari for me. Yosh filled in nicely but when Bakhtiari was back in the Detroit game even in limited action, you saw what you are missing, an utterly dominant LT. Not having him was a big part of the reason for both of our most recent playoff losses, arguably even a decisive reason for it.

I could just as easily vote Jaire here but Bakhtiari has been playing at that level for longer, so in addition to being great at a key position, has the experience and savvy that comes from being a longtime vet.

Backthepack4ever wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 12:23

Yoop wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 12:13

go pak go wrote: ↑

04 May 2022 11:52

Sorry not sorry take:

AJ Dillon is more important to the Green Bay Packers than Aaron Jones.

how so? he had 4 more yrds rushing with 16 more carries and almost 100 less yrds receiving, I know you love Dillon, I think we all do, but he doesn't have near the quicks or ability of Jones, played 2 more games then Jones, who Lafluer even said was not at 100% for several stretches of the season.

Jones' war is like 0 with a back like Dillon. I love Jones but his roster importance is farther down the line. So is Dillon. Together they are great. Individually not top 5

I will always opt for skill positions when grades are close, and I expect Jones will be our #1 skill position player, he and Cobb have the best chemistry with Rodgers, and if he wouldn't have been dinged up last year would have imo been targeted more.