A mentally and physically improved Jackson should really give the Packers a lethal rushing attack, and Jackson will be a huge part of our offense this year. I expect him to get about five-10 carries a game and be used in a lot of passing situations.
He is our best back out of the backfield and has very soft hands. If Grant falters due to injury, poor play, or whatever it may be, I have faith that Jackson can step in, and we can depend on him having success running the ball.
3. DE Cullen Jenkins
I had high hopes for Cullen Jenkins heading into the 2007 season, and he didn't fully live up to them. I knew he was going to vastly improve our run defense, which he did. But I thought he was going to get to the quarterback a whole lot more than one-and-a-half times. I'll attribute that more to injuries than bad play.
He battled through injury the entire season, and when he finally got healthy, he showed what he could do in the playoffs. He equaled his season sack total in one game against Seattle. When healthy, he gives the Packers a lethal one-two punch at defensive end with Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman opposite him.
He should continue to be one of the anchors of our run defense, but I expect him to get to the quarterback a whole lot more this year than last year. I think he will get anywhere from 6-10 sacks this year, and combine with Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila for close to 30 sacks.
His health will be very key this year because of the loss of Corey Williams. He'll see a lot more time at defensive tackle to bring that interior pass-rush on third down and certain passing situations.
His versatility makes him one of the most important players on our defense, and losing him would be a gigantic blow. He will continue to see a lot of single coverage with Kampman opposite him, and should he stay healthy, he will wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
I expect him to breakout and make a name for himself in NFL circles this year, thus giving the Packers one of the most feared duos at end in the entire league.
4. CB Tramon Williams
Tramon Williams has quickly become one of my favorite players on the team. I love the fire and passion he brings to our defense. Not much was expected of him heading into last year. He was mainly used on special teams, or sometimes as our fifth corner or seventh defensive back.
Jarrett Bush was our nickleback for most of last year, and it wasn't until his play really took a turn for the worse that Williams was given a chance to showcase his skills. He had a great showing against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving when he showed the fans, the players, and the coaches that he could play.
He showed that he could be consistently counted on, and his play permanently earned him the nickleback role.
Heading into the 2008 NFL Draft, we were all clamoring for GM Ted Thompson to take a corner with one of our top picks. We did when we selected Patrick Lee of Auburn in the second-round. There were some people who already had him penciled in to be our nickleback next year.
Not so fast.
Not if Williams had something to say about it. He went on to have an outstanding offseason and was continuously applauded for his stellar play during OTAs and minicamps. Now it seems that, barring a major setback, he will be our nickleback this year, and he will be one of the key components on our defense.
He has gotten stronger this offseason, which will really help him jam wide receivers at the line. I expect him to give us that consistent nickleback our defense has been looking for for quite some time now.
The future is bright for him. After Al Harris and Charles Woodson hang them up, he should be ready to step up and be the starter next to Patrick Lee.
5. FS Nick Collins
I know, I know. How many years are we going to predict that this guy is going to break out? Seeing as this just might be his last chance due to the fact that Aaron Rouse is dripping with potential and waiting in the wings, it better be this year.
Collins has seemed to regress each year since his rookie season, and he needs to make more plays. I mean, there were times last year where I had to be reminded that he was even on the field. That's not something you want from your free safety.
He has all the talent in the world, and we gave him the honor of donning the No. 36 because we thought he could be just as good as that other guy who wore it throughout the '90s (see Butler, LeRoy
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