Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Green Bay Packers

Edge Defenders

Julius Peppers gave the Packers an average of about 8.5 sacks in his three years in Green Bay. He is gone, returning to Carolina which is his home town team, and the franchise that drafted him. Perhaps, more importantly, Peppers gave the Packers the opportunity to move Clay Matthews around their front seven and still have a competent pass rush. The need to do so, age, and a few nagging injuries that have affected his play have kept Matthews from recording double digit sacks since 2014.

Nick Perry finally delivered last season on the promise that got him drafted 28th overall in 2012. Perry nearly doubled his career sack output in 2016, after a disappointing four seasons prior. The team rewarded Perry with a five year, $60 million dollar contract. They are betting that his uptick in production is not a reaction to his second consecutive contract year. Outside Matthews and Perry, the Packers have nothing on the edge.

Interior Defensive Line

Kenny Clark, the Green Bay Packers first round pick in 2016 had a relatively disappointing rookie season. He has been drawing rave reviews from coaches and the media this offseason though and has the talent to be a force in the middle. Mike Daniels has had a nice career providing competent play as both a run stuffer and pass rusher.  The Packers have made him one of the highest paid 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL as a result. On the interior, Daniels is the disruptive force that the Lions need to be concerned with.

The Packers drafted Montravius Adams in the third round this offseason to give their interior a bit more jump. Adams has the ability to affect the opposition’s backfield, but he may need some time to develop at the NFL level. Christian Ringo is a less dynamic player, but he may hold a starting role if Adams does need time to adjust. Ricky Jean-Francois has also joined the Packers. He provides insurance for them against the possibility that younger men prove incapable of the task.

Linebackers

The Packers are hoping that Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan will turn in to a solid duo. If that happens they can keep Clay Matthews on the edge where he does the most damage. It is far more likely that they will need to supplement their linebacker play with their best athlete. Blake Martinez struggled mightily against the run. This is the weak spot of the Packers defense in 2017.  There are other spots where they will struggle but they will be making safeties play linebacker, edge defenders play linebacker, and the team will suffer for it.