Here's What We Expect from the 2018 Packers Offense

It’s crucially important to determine what your expectations are for a particular player before you begin to evaluate him. As a continuation of our podcast exploration of the same concept, here are our expectations for the 2018 Packers offensive players.

Low Expectations - Anything beyond making the roster is a bonus

Joel Bouagnon - He’s big and strong, but no higher than fifth on the depth chart.

Tim Boyle - More than a camp arm? Maybe, but even if he is, he’s got a lot of draft capital to unseat ahead of him.

Emanuel Byrd - Byrd could have an outside shot at making the roster based on special teams contributions, but that’s probably all anyone can reasonably expect from him this season.

Austin Davis - Someone has to be the Packers’ backup center and Davis only has to beat out Dillon Day to make it happen. Even if he does, he’ll hopefully never play.

Dillon Day - Someone has to be the Packers’ backup center and Day only has to beat out Austin Davis to make it happen. Even if he does, he’ll hopefully never play.

Joe Kerridge - How much could one reasonably expect from a second string fullback?

Adonis Jennings - He has a famous Packers alum for a relative and good size, but other young receivers do what Jennings does better.

Jake Kumerow - The Packers added a bunch of tall and fast receivers through the draft this season. Kumerow is just one of those things (his 4.54 40-yard dash should tell you which) and he doesn’t have the benefit of being a draft pick.

Alex Light - With good size and the ability to play both guard and tackle, Light has a better chance shot than most to make an impact this season. Given the depth ahead of him, it’s still a slim shot.

Kyle Lewis - A late addition to the roster, he faces a serious uphill climb not just to make the roster, but to even get reps in training camp.

Devante Mays - Mays is due for a redemption tour after a rough 2017, but between his productive draft mates and the presence of Ty Montgomery, it’s a long shot to even make the roster.

Kevin Rader - A small school prospect with good size fighting more established players on the tight end depth chart.

Ryan Smith - A small school prospect with good size fighting more established players on the tight end depth chart.

Robert Tonyan - A small school prospect with good size fighting more established players on the tight end depth chart.

Moderate Expectations - Stable role players who occasionally take on a bigger role

Kofi Amichia - As athletic as you could hope for a late round offensive lineman to be, Amichia faces higher expectations than some of his fellow lower-end linemen due to his year on the practice squad and positional versatility.

Bryan Bulaga - If he was fully healthy, Bulaga would face high expectations this season. As it stands, a half season of decent productivity would be a resounding success, even if he is expected to be back by August.

Lance Kendricks - Now third on the depth chart, Kendricks has a pretty firm ceiling on his role. His experience gives him an inside track over the Packers’ young tight ends, but that advantage could disappear quickly.

DeShone Kizer - Like a distressed property bought by a house flipper, Kizer has potential but needs more or less a full rebuild. Though he’s no doubt talented, expectations should be mitigated until he has some significant time with the Packers.

Marcedes Lewis - Brought in to offset some weaknesses in the other tight ends, Lewis’s expectations are, in short, to be the same player he was last year in a smaller role.

Cole Madison - Another in a long line of tackle prospects switching to guard for the Packers, Madison could find himself contributing at some point this season, but he won’t be expected to garner significant playing time early on.

Justin McCray - His ability to play multiple spots on the offensive line with a reasonable degree of competence is impressive, but he’s still a limited player. He’s likely not the long-term answer anywhere.

Ty Montgomery - Injuries have derailed Montgomery’s career, but he can still be a useful player. His role will probably be smaller this year, which should suit him well.

J'Mon Moore - Of the three receivers the Packers drafted, Moore could have the best shot at making an early impact. However, history tells us that whatever impact he does make will likely be limited.

Kyle Murphy - Murphy earned every snap he got last season with a solid training camp effort, but injury questions lower the bar for his 2018 campaign.

Adam Pankey - Another versatile line prospect, Pankey spent more time on the active roster last season than anyone would have anticipated. He’s ahead of the rookies, but behind most of the other linemen in the pecking order.

Lucas Patrick - Like Pankey, Patrick spent more time on the active roster last year than most would have anticipated. He could be a contender at guard, but he won’t be a world beater.

Aaron Ripkowski - Mike McCarthy’s ongoing fascination with fullbacks keeps Ripkowski’s job alive, but expecting him to play a significant role is probably foolish.

Equanimeous St. Brown - St. Brown may have the highest ceiling of any of the Packers’ rookie receivers, but there’s a reason he lasted until the sixth round.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling - The boom or bust prospect of the three drafted receivers, Valdes-Scantling almost certainly needs a year of seasoning but faces higher expectations than most by virtue of his draft pedigree.

DeAngelo Yancey - Learning how to play as a pro is a legitimately important attribute for a young receiver, and a year on the practice squad should put Yancey in good shape to contend for a roster spot.

High Expectations - Significant impact required

Davante Adams - A fresh new contract and a secure position at the top of the depth chart means higher expectations than ever for Adams, who should be prepared to meet them.

Geronimo Allison - Allison is the de facto third receiver and he’ll get opportunities to produce as a result. It’s up to him to show that the Packers’ confidence isn’t misplaced.

David Bakhtiari - After his second consecutive All-Pro second team nod, it remains bizarre that Bakhtiari lasted until the fourth round in 2013.

Byron Bell - The structure of his contract all but guarantees him a roster spot. Failing to make an impact would be a failure indeed.

Randall Cobb - Still trying to recapture the magic of 2014, Cobb is a useful player facing outsize expectations due to his cap figure. He’ll have to perform well to meet them.

Trevor Davis - Davis has had two full seasons to show he belongs on an NFL roster. It’s time to justify the time spent keeping him around or move on.

Jimmy Graham - The crown jewel of the Packers’ 2018 free agent class, Graham can’t just be a starting caliber tight end to justify the expense of bringing him in. He has to be among the best in the league.

Brett Hundley - A year ago, we half expected Hundley to be wearing a different team’s colors this fall. If he doesn’t perform at a high level this preseason, that may still be the case.

Aaron Jones - He showed rare explosive ability in limited exposure last year. Now that the secret is out, Jones needs to be more than a part-time player.

Corey Linsley - Linsley is the only center on the Packers’ roster who has actually snapped the ball in a real NFL game. He needs to stay in the lineup this year.

Aaron Rodgers - No one needs to explain why the expectations for Aaron Rodgers are high. His revenge tour should be something to behold.

Jason Spriggs - Perhaps the single most expensive draft pick in recent Packers history, it’s time for Spriggs to take hold of a significant role on offense.

Lane Taylor - Taylor’s star has been on the rise since he took over for Josh Sitton in 2016. That should continue this year.

Jamaal Williams - An enhanced dose of his reliable-if-unspectacular game in 2018 would be a terrific contribution from Williams, the default starter at running back.