The Green Bay Packers went 7-9 in a disappointing 2017 season and looked to set that right ahead of the 2018 campaign with an extensive recruitment drive in the defense. Fans went into 2018 with high hopes after Jaire Alexander, Joshua Jackson and Oren Banks were brought in to bolster the defensive ranks.
It was offense, however, that stole the show on the opening game of the 2018 season for the Packers. Going into the fourth quarter of their curtain raising game the Packers trailed 20-3 to the Chicago Bears.
Three fourth quarter touchdowns helped to seal a dramatic 24-23 win for the Packers, but the season may as well have ended right there and then. The remainder of the 2018 season was characterized by fragility on the road and blunt offensive performances.
The crescendo of which came in the form of a 20-17 loss to the worst team in the league – The Cardinals – which ultimately cost Head Coach Mike McCarthy his job. Offense minded Coach Matt LaFleur is the man charged with changing the Packers fortunes for next season.
With the league’s most dynamic quarterback – Aaron Rodgers – there is no need for wide scale player upheaval. Having said that, savvy offensive recruitments are needed, so join us as we pick out five dream players that would transform the Packers into a real force.
An embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals during week 13 summed up The Packers 2018 season.
James Conner, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin named Conner as his starting running back at the beginning of the 2018 season following contract disputes between the franchise and regular running back Le’Veon Bell.
24-year-old Conner grasped the opportunity with both hands in the season opener against Cleveland Browns. Conner had 31 carries for 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the 21-21 tie.
Despite suffering an injury midway through the 2018 season, Conner still finished with 973 running yards and 12 touchdowns. The Steelers’ number 30 caused a real stir in fantasy football last campaign, racking up an impressive 297 points.
Ryan Switzer, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
There are a lot of Packers fans that still have high hopes that 2019 will be Geronimo Allison’s big season. Unfortunately, the people with these hopes are living in a fantasy land , Allison has made big statements of intent in the off-season but at the end of the day they are just words and he needs to do his talking on the field. Thus far he has failed to do so and hasn’t really showed any signs that he is capable of being the solid number two receiver that the Packers so badly need.
Ryan Switzer from the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the perfect man to come in and shake things up, giving the Packers what they need.
After a brief spell with Oakland Raiders, Switzer was traded to Pittsburgh and claimed his first touchdown for his new franchise in the Monday Night Football game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He finished the season in good form with his best performance coming against Denver Broncos when he had six receptions for a season high 67 yards during his side’s loss. Switzer finished the season with 36 receptions for 253 receiving yards, with one touchdown.
There is much more to come from Switzer, and unlike Allison he has already shown a clear progression path. Switzer could come in and provide healthy competition or go on and show Allison how it’s done.
Ryan Switzer could be just what The Packers need to either replace or motivate Geronimo Allison.
Saquon Barkley, Running Back, New York Giants
2018 was Saquon Barkley’s rookie year and my oh my did he have a season to remember? Barkley is somewhat of an unrealistic target for the Packers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. His first NFL touchdown was a 68-yard rush that came in the first game of the season against Jacksonville Jaguars.
If his professional debut was a moment to cherish then his second professional start was even more memorable. Barkley set a Giants’ record for the highest catches in a match, also tying the NFL record for catches in a game by a rookie.
The 22-year-old running back rushed for 1,307 yards in his debut season, chalking up 11 touchdowns, 261 carries, and 91 receptions. Those figures helped him claim the 2018 Rookie of the Year award and a staggering 406 fantasy football points.
A player like Barkley could single-handedly transform the Packers, although it’s very unlikely he’ll make the transfer, so let’s continue with the list.
Sit back and enjoy the amazing highlights of Saquon Barkley’s rookie season.
Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
Let’s imagine for a second that in our fantasy world we have been unsuccessful in tempting Saquon Barkley to the Green Bay Packers. Distraught and shocked we were forced to look elsewhere for another running back that could live up to the ability of Barkley.
We wouldn’t have to look much further than Ezekiel Elliott, who wasn’t far behind Barkley’s performances last season. The Dallas Cowboys’ running back is just one year older than Barkley but already has a burgeoning reputation as one of the best players in NFL.
Ezekiel Elliott is a true workhorse running back and has 4,048 rushing yards to his name over three NFL seasons, despite missing much of the 2017 season through suspension. The only issue however, is the fact that he appears to be somewhat of an unsavory character as his 2017 suspension for alleged domestic abuse highlights.
Odell Beckham Jr, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
Our final fantasy pick for the Packers 2019 season would be New York Giants’ sensation Odell Beckham Jr. Less than a year ago he signed a five year $95 million contract extension with the Giants and then moved to the Cleveland Browns just three months ago.
A move to the Packers will have to remain a fantasy for the immediate future, but our imaginary loss is certainly Cleveland’s gain. Beckham will undoubtedly be a top five wide receiver in fantasy football again next season and already has 44 touchdowns to his name in just 59 career games.
Imagine if he were teamed up with a rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers.